MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 2026 Department of the Air Force Information Technology and Cyberpower Training and Education Event will bring Department of the Air Force and private-sector technology leaders to Montgomery Aug. 24-26.
Under the theme “Accelerating the Digital Edge: From Enterprise to Orbit,” DAFITC 2026 will examine how data and emerging cyber technologies are changing the digital environment and creating new demands for national defense.
The theme reflects the department’s shift toward a unified, resilient and AI-augmented digital architecture. It defines the edge as a continuous digital thread connecting enterprise networks, tactical operations and orbital assets, with an emphasis on speed, resilience and data integration.
Organizers expect more than 4,000 attendees, speakers and exhibitors. The event is scheduled to include more than 140 breakout sessions and an exhibit hall with more than 200 vendor booths. Participants will be able to exchange ideas, build professional connections and discuss current and emerging threats to defense networks.
Current keynote speakers and panelists
The current speaker lineup includes leaders from government and industry. The schedule is subject to change.
- Ashley Devoto: chief information officer for the Department of the Air Force
- Gen. Adrian L. Spain: commander, Air Combat Command
- Lt. Gen. Luke C. G. Cropsey: military deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
- Kenneth C. McNeill: chief information officer, National Guard; director, C4 Systems Directorate
- Charleen Laughlin: deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data, U.S. Space Force
- Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Phillips: director of cyberspace operations and warfighting communications and chief information officer, Air Combat Command
- Lt. Gen. Paul T. Stanton: commander, Department of Defense Cyber Defense Command; director, Defense Information Systems Agency
- Alexis Bonnell: head of AI adoption and deployment at OpenAI for Government
- Dave DeWalt: founder and CEO, NightDragon
- Gaine Nazareth: chief technology officer, ServiceNow
- Wendi Whitmore: chief security intelligence officer, Palo Alto Networks
Breakout training tracks
- Track 1: AI-Driven Legacy System Modernization. Explores how AI can help modernize aging infrastructure, reduce technical debt and support migration to cloud-native environments.
- Track 2: The Future of Cyber: Automated, Agile, and Assured. Examines the shift from compliance-centered authorization processes to data-centered, automated security across the kill web.
- Track 3: Acquisition on the Edge: Tailoring MTA for Rapid Capability Delivery. Examines how Middle Tier of Acquisition authorities can speed capability delivery and help outpace adversary development cycles.
- Track 4: Upskilling for the AI Age: Training the Next Generation of Digital Warriors. Highlights training models designed to build an AI-fluent workforce that can combine human judgment with machine intelligence.
- Track 5: Cyber and Acquisitions Career Field Track. Focuses on career development, talent management and the evolution of the digital workforce
Registration is open and required for all attendees. Register in advance at www.dafitc.com to reduce wait times at check-in.
DAFITC 2026 is not open to the public.