[Gartner SRM Summit 2025] Conference Overview
- Paul Kwon
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Jun 9-11, 2025 | National Harbor, MD
Conference Overview
From June 9 to 11, 2025, the Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit took place at National Harbor in Washington, DC. More than 5,000 cybersecurity leaders and professionals attended from North America, Europe and the Middle East, and Asia.
“Engage, Innovate, Lead”
That was the theme of this year’s conference. Gartner emphasized that in a time of rapid change, the role of the CISO must evolve beyond technical defense to that of a strategic leader who drives organizational performance and resilience.
Engage
Faced with complex external pressures such as geopolitical tensions, shifting regulations, and an uncertain economic climate, CISOs and security leaders must communicate and collaborate actively with both internal and external stakeholders.
Innovate
Emerging technologies such as AI, zero trust, automation, and cloud security must be adopted not merely as tools but as core assets that strengthen an organization’s cyber resilience and competitive edge.
Lead
CISOs must establish themselves as leaders who guide strategic transformation and digital business outcomes. Strengthening leadership capabilities and decision making is crucial to fulfilling this role.
This theme served as the guiding philosophy for all sessions and presentations. The program structure was designed to reflect pressing concerns such as geopolitical threats, the complex interplay between AI and security, and economic uncertainty. The goal was not simply to offer slogans but to provide CISOs and related leaders with a strategic roadmap for proactively aligning stakeholders, innovating technologies and processes, and steering organizational strategy in an era of rapid change.
Key Presentation Sessions
The program featured seven tracks and a total of 363 expert presentations. After each session, participants had the opportunity for a brief one on one Q&A with the presenting Gartner analyst, creating a dynamic environment for direct expert insights.
Track A Cybersecurity Leadership
Track B Cyber Risk Management
Track C Infrastructure Security
Track D Application and Data Security
Track E Cybersecurity Operations
Track F CISO Circle
Spotlight Tracks AI Government IAM New to Role Mid-sized Enterprise Navigating the Current Environment
In addition to these presentations, the summit offered breakfast receptions, vendor sessions, Ask the Expert panels, roundtables, and workshops. These events provided numerous opportunities for networking and hands-on learning between speakers and attendees.
What Sets Gartner Summit 2025 Apart
Unlike technology-centric security events, the Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit is a strategic conference designed for security strategists. Its key differentiator is its focus on how security initiatives contribute to business strategy and organizational performance.
Strategic Focus for CISOs and Security Leaders
Where other conferences center on technology demonstrations and hacking showcases, this summit targets decision makers such as CISOs, security directors, and risk officers with sessions on strategy, governance, and leadership.
A Hybrid View That Connects Business and Security
The summit provides a structural perspective that positions security as a foundation for business resilience and trust rather than merely a cost center. Gartner analysts bridge security technology discussions with topics such as management, organizational culture, investment justification, and leadership.
Analyst-Driven Insight Sessions
Most presentations are based on Gartner research authored and delivered by Gartner analysts. The summit maintains strict vendor neutrality and offers practical strategies grounded in analysts’ independent analysis and forecasts.
A Global Hub for 4,000 to 5,000 Security Leaders
Security leaders from diverse industries in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia gather at this conference. Features such as the CISO Circle (invitation only), Ask the Expert panels, and Peer Exchange sessions foster meaningful networking opportunities.
In Closing
Since 2018, Pago Networks has attended this summit annually to gain insights into MDR service methodologies, SOC operations strategies, and business modeling that shifts security investment from cost to performance-based ROI. We actively seek opportunities to meet renowned global security leaders, share perspectives, receive guidance, and learn from experts. These experiences explain why PAGO continues to participate in the Gartner Summit and why the conference remains a valuable source of insights.
Author – Paul Kwon, CEO | PAGO Networks
