NM HOUSE News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Cybersecurity increasingly influences economic development, consumer protection, organizational trust, and public policy. To encourage dialogue on these issues, state legislators and business leaders from across New Mexico will gather on Friday, July 24, for the Legislative Forum on Cybersecurity and Business, presented by SecureNM™ and hosted by the New Mexico Society of CPAs.

The forum will examine cybersecurity challenges affecting commerce, consumers, nonprofit organizations, and government while providing an opportunity for policymakers and organizational leaders to exchange practical perspectives on issues shaping New Mexico’s economy and communities.

Rep. Kathleen Cates is organizing the bipartisan legislative panel. Legislator presentations will be moderated by Deanna Dopslaf, President of The Southwest Life Real Estate Group. Audience participation and discussion will be moderated by Bob Daniel, Executive Director of the National Organization of Trusted Advisors.

Confirmed legislative participants include:

• Senator Jay Block
• Senator Heather Berghmans
• Representative Kathleen Cates
• Representative Michelle Abeyta
• Representative Joshua Hernandez
• Senator Angel Charlie

Additional legislators may participate in person or remotely.

Discussion topics are expected to include:

• Cybersecurity and economic development
• Existing laws affecting businesses and nonprofit organizations
• Legislation related to or adjacent to cybersecurity under consideration for the 2027 legislative session
• Government cybersecurity frameworks—from local government to national defense
• Fraud and consumer protection
• Business reputation and operational risk
• Commercial espionage and intellectual property protection

Selected participants will describe cybersecurity incidents that have affected New Mexico organizations, illustrating operational, financial, and reputational challenges experienced by employers, nonprofit organizations, and consumers throughout the state.

The discussion is intended to encourage continued collaboration between legislators and organizational leaders as cybersecurity considerations become increasingly intertwined with economic development, business operations, consumer confidence, workforce readiness, and public policy.

“This forum creates an opportunity for legislators and organizational leaders to learn directly from one another,” said David Sahd, Executive Director of SecureNM™. “Cybersecurity has become an executive leadership responsibility affecting organizations of every size. Through constructive dialogue, New Mexico can better leverage its business community, public institutions, and technical expertise to strengthen organizational resilience and support long-term economic competitiveness.”

The program will begin with networking and refreshments from 8:30–9 a.m., followed by welcome remarks from Jeanette Contreras, CEO of the New Mexico Society of CPAs. Joel Long, CEO of Rook Advisors, will provide introductory remarks before Representative Kathleen Cates introduces participating legislators. Legislators will offer opening statements before participating in a moderated discussion with business and nonprofit leaders. Time has also been reserved for media questions.

The agenda includes:

• 8:30–9 a.m.: Networking and refreshments
• 9–9:20 a.m.:
  Welcome – Jeanette Contreras, CEO, New Mexico Society of CPAs
  Introduction – Joel Long, CEO, Rook Advisors
  Panel Moderator – Deanna Dopslaf, President, The Southwest Life Real Estate Group
  Panel Organizer – Representative Kathleen Cates
  Introduction of participating legislators
• 9:20–9:50 a.m.: Legislative opening statements
• 9:50–11 a.m.: Moderated audience discussion led by Bob Daniel, Executive Director, National Organization of Trusted Advisors, with additional questions presented by Deanna Dopslaf on behalf of SecureNM™ Policy Peer Group participants.
• 11–11:30 a.m.: SecureNM™ announcements and media questions

Only a limited number of seats remain available for in-person attendance. The forum will also be livestreamed to participants throughout New Mexico, including organized participation in communities such as Carlsbad, Silver City, and Las Cruces, where legislators, business leaders, and SecureNM™ members will join the discussion.

Advance registration is requested for both in-person attendance and Zoom participation. RSVP at www.SecureNM.org.

The Legislative Forum on Cybersecurity and Business is presented by SecureNM™. Title Sponsors are EASI Gov and Rook Advisors.

About SecureNM™

SecureNM™ is New Mexico’s association of cyber-safe businesses. Through practical cybersecurity readiness resources, peer collaboration, education, and public policy engagement, SecureNM™ helps organizations strengthen resilience while supporting economic growth, community stability, and statewide competitiveness.