DFW Airport's Cybersecurity Challenge: Protecting 83M Travelers & 66K Employees
Details
START TIME CHANGED TO 6:30 PM.
These IoT/Technology Meetups are held on the first Thursday of each month (except July and January when we'll meet the following Thursday after the holiday) and are free to attend for anyone interested in the business of high technology.
Come and connect with other like-minded technologists, business execs, entrepreneurs, etc.
or join us online (Google Meet) at:
https://meet.google.com/qjq-aaoe-xdj
This month's presenter will be:
Dan Bonkiewicz
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/danbonkiewicz/)
- Principal of Technology Services, Operation and Cyber Security for DFW Airport
He will present:
DFW Airport's Cybersecurity Challenge: Protecting 83M Travelers & 66K Employees
Abstract
Cybersecurity is often framed as a technology issue, but at its core, it is a leadership issue. It is about trust, resilience, and protecting the systems people depend on every day.
At DFW, that mission carries enormous responsibility. Supporting 66,000 employees, 83 million annual passengers, and a broad network of partners and stakeholders requires cybersecurity to be more than a technical function. It must be part of how the airport operates, adapts, and prepares for the future.
Dan Bonkiewicz brings a leadership perspective shaped by years of aligning cybersecurity with critical operations and business priorities.
Known for translating complex cyber risk into practical strategies, Dan helps organizations understand how to protect essential systems while enabling resilience, innovation, and operational performance. His leadership is grounded in building strong teams, fostering shared accountability, and creating a culture where cybersecurity is lived rather than just talked about.
In this talk, Dan will share how DFW’s Cybersecurity Enterprise Team is helping lead that shift through governance, education, threat awareness, and forward-looking security solutions.
This is not just a story about defending systems. It is a story about changing mindsets, strengthening trust, and preparing one of the world’s busiest airports for the risks and opportunities ahead.
Bio
Dan Bonkiewicz is a strategic IT Director and cybersecurity leader with deep experience in infrastructure, cloud, operational technology (OT), and enterprise security.
He specializes in driving digital transformation, building high-performing teams, and delivering secure, resilient technology environments that support business growth.
Dan owns the operational cybersecurity for DFW Airport's 24×7 OT environments supporting critical airport operations, leading asset discovery, vulnerability management, network segmentation, and incident response across ICS and IoT systems, with executive reporting on risk and remediation.
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The meeting is now held at SpringHill Suites (east Richardson) near the intersection of Geo. Bush and E. Renner Rd. (2 blocks south on Shiloh from the Methodist Hospital at Renner and Shiloh - see below for details).
Come early and stay late if you can. Bar opens at 5 pm (self-paid).
Program runs from 6:30 to 7:45 pm.
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1st Thursday IoT Happy Hour:
These are hybrid and free events. For those that can attend in person, it allows us to come together and network with other IoT and technology professionals, business execs, entrepreneurs, etc... and help us find resources, talent and solutions to our issues... and learn about new trends and tech in the industry.
Come early and stay late if you can (bar opens at 5 pm. - self paid. Leave whenever you like... or when the bar closes.)
The folks that attend have technical and business expertise in many varied segments of the IoT/tech industry... from end device/sensor/actuator builders, to connectivity gurus (wired, wireless, satellite), to backend computer systems/platforms and analytic tools specialists... and even edge computing/processing, security and AI/ML/ChatGPT/Agentic AI and Quantum experts.
1st Thursday IoT Happy Hour @ SpringHill Suites ((3251 E. Geo. Bush Tpke, Richardsson, TX))
Each 1st Thursday of 2025 · 6:30 – 7:45pm
Google Meet (a Zoom-like platform) joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qjq-aaoe-xdj
Or dial: (US) +1 443-399-3866 PIN: 891 528 379#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/qjq-aaoe-xdj?pin=8679601782853
A sincere thanks to our sponsors:
4.0 Solutions (www.iiot.university/)
- founded by Walker Reynolds (www.linkedin.com/in/walkerdreynolds/)
4.0 Solutions was created around the concept of the restructuring the way we think about systems integrators, suppliers, hardware & software manufacturers, and distributors in a way that is compatible with the 4th industrial revolution.
ObjectSpectrum, LLC (www.objectspectrum.com)
- founded by Eric Lenington (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericlenington/):
"ObjectSpectrum was founded with the sole purpose of making the Internet of Things an Internet of useful, efficient, cost-cutting, ROI-maximizing things."
James Brehm & Assoc. (https://www.jbrehm.com/)
- James Brehm, Founder and Chief Technology Evangelist
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbrehm/)
James Brehm & Associates is a consulting and market intelligence firm providing project based and retained strategic advisory services to technology companies worldwide focused on IoT and digitial transformation.
Chuck McCoy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chmccoy/),
Founder of: TechTargets - Smart Targets. Smarter Shooters.
(https://techtargets.com/)
TechTargets uses modern IoT components to bring low cost interactive target systems to Law Enforcement live fire training environments.
If you'd like to support these meetings through a one-time donation, or ongoing monthly support, contact Ed Hightower at ed.hightower@iotandbeyond.com. I can send an invoice via PayPal and you can pay/ donate via credit card. Thanks.
This link takes you to many of the presentations that have been presented at our IoT Texas meetings over the last 6+ years. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69LBjxiKDx8tVkkVs9T0NA/videos