The upcoming VNET Tech Summit 2026 in Erie, PA is set to bring global cybersecurity expertise to the region, with one of the most anticipated highlights being keynote speaker Kyle Hanslovan, CEO and co-founder of Huntress. Recently featured on Erie News Now’s Tech Now, Hanslovan’s work underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity, AI, and threat detection in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. At Velocity Network (VNET), we’re proud to host a speaker whose experience and insights align directly with the challenges businesses, organizations, and individuals face in protecting their digital environments.
Cybersecurity has become a critical concern across every industry, from healthcare and finance to education and government. As cyber-attacks increase in both scale and sophistication, companies like Huntress are stepping in to provide proactive defense solutions. Huntress specializes in identifying and eliminating advanced cyber threats that often go unnoticed by traditional security systems, protecting more than 150,000 businesses and millions of users worldwide. This widespread adoption highlights the urgent need for smarter, more adaptive cybersecurity technologies—especially as organizations face continuous and complex digital threats.
Kyle Hanslovan brings a unique and powerful perspective to the conversation. His journey began with an early passion for technology, which led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force at age 17, where he served as a cyber warfare operator. During his time within the U.S. Intelligence Community, he supported high-level missions that gave him direct experience in defending against sophisticated cyber threats. After transitioning to the private sector, Hanslovan continued his work in cybersecurity by supporting initiatives tied to the National Security Agency and co-founding an offensive security consulting firm. In 2015, he co-founded Huntress with a mission to close the cybersecurity gap for small and mid-sized businesses—organizations that are often the most vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Today, the risks associated with cybersecurity go far beyond individual scams or phishing attempts. While fraudulent text messages and emails are still common, the real danger lies in large-scale breaches that can compromise entire organizations, critical infrastructure, and sensitive data systems. These threats can impact transportation systems, healthcare networks, financial institutions, and more. As a result, cybersecurity is no longer optional—it is a fundamental part of doing business in a digital-first world. Hanslovan’s expertise highlights the importance of proactive threat detection and why organizations must stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated attackers.
The VNET Tech Summit, taking place on Thursday, July 9, 2026, in Erie, will focus on key topics such as cybersecurity innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies shaping the future. The event is designed to be accessible and valuable for a wide audience, including business owners, IT professionals, students, and aspiring tech leaders. One of the summit’s core goals is to make high-level industry knowledge available to the local community, helping organizations and individuals better understand and respond to modern technology challenges. In support of this mission, students can attend the event for free, reinforcing VNET’s commitment to workforce development and education in the tech sector.
Hosting a globally recognized cybersecurity leader like Kyle Hanslovan in Erie further positions the region as an emerging center for conversations around cybersecurity, AI, and digital innovation. Events like the VNET Tech Summit not only bring valuable insights to local businesses and professionals but also help foster a stronger, more informed technology community.
Registration for the event is now open at vnetsummit.com, and early sign-up is encouraged for those interested in gaining firsthand knowledge from one of the leading voices in cybersecurity today.
