2025 Co-op Cyber Tech will be NRECA’s largest cybersecurity conference to date with 31 sessions, five preconference workshops and a new Learning Village, offering vast opportunities for attendees to test their cyber and technical skills and develop new ones.

The conference kicks off Tuesday, June 24, at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center with special workshops followed by two days of general sessions and breakouts. A limited number of attendees will tour the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on Friday, June 27.

“Cybersecurity professionals attending this fourth annual gathering will find many new ways to sharpen their skillsets and network with peers,” said Carter Manucy, NRECA cybersecurity director.

Breakout sessions will explore IT and OT trends and benchmarks for stronger cybersecurity, how co-ops can build an effective cyber team, AI and network defense strategies among other top-of-mind issues.

Manucy and Adrian McNamara, NRECA program manager for cybersecurity outreach and cloud security, on Thursday, June 26, will provide the latest on the Department of Energy’s $15 million Industrial Control Systems-Rural Electric Cooperatives Project and ways to secure funding for cyber projects.  

Sunny Wescott, chief meteorologist for emergency response and operations support at the Department of Homeland Security, opens the first general session Wednesday, June 25, with an in-depth look at eight key weather hazards that can impact cybersecurity.

Mental health, professional burnout and workplace culture will be the focus of the second general session Thursday. “We hope by giving these issues space, members attending Co-op Cyber Tech will gain awareness and support that will help them and strengthen their co-op,” Manucy said.

Open throughout the conference, the interactive Learning Village will feature a Soldering Village, ICS Village, Lockpicking Village, Packet Village, ongoing Backdoors & Breaches tabletop exercises, and an expanded escape room designed by Idaho National Laboratory and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Continuing on the success from last year, a limited number of new interactive high-tech badges will be available to help participants network and collaborate.

The Co-op Cyber Science Fair will showcase innovative cybersecurity tools, research and technologies from universities, government entities and cooperatives.

The latest co-ops to fulfill a set of NRECA Cyber Goals will be recognized at lunch Wednesday. More than 150 electric co-ops have completed at least 10 goals since the launch of Level 1 in 2023 and Level 2 in 2024.

“Co-ops are seeing real progress by focusing on these fundamental goals,” Manucy said. “We’re excited to celebrate even more successes at every Cyber Tech.”