While technology to help protect systems is readily available, businesses have determined that awareness and understanding of processes is equally important when formulating an effective security strategy. Earlier this month, Microsoft kicked off its Security Matters-Security Summits, a series of no-charge, one-day educational events to help IT professionals and developers connect those two often different elements of an overall security strategy. Today Microsoft is hosting the second summit in Dallas, where Scott Charney, vice president of Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft, will deliver the keynote address. The events will also take place in New York, Chicago and Detroit through June. Attendees will learn about information on key trends in the security industry and hear from experts about how to prepare for the future.

The first summit, held April 13 in Atlanta, involved 18 Microsoft business partners, including Liquid Machines, Avanade and RSA Security. Partners hosted booths in an expo hall and were available to discuss security solutions and strategies with attendees. Microsoft security experts who delivered presentations at the summit include Steve Riley, senior security strategist, Talhah Mir, security technologist, and Roderick O’Connor, technology specialist, IT Infrastructure.