ICIT Gala & Benefit 2025: Funding non-partisan research to strengthen critical infrastructure

Each year, the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) -- a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan think tank -- hosts its signature Gala & Benefit to celebrate the cybersecurity and national security community and to support ICIT’s mission-driven work.

ICIT is a “modern, non-partisan think tank” focused on ensuring communities can reliably access society’s foundational needs -- food, water, energy, healthcare, transportation, communications, and financial services -- by improving resilience across the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors and defending democratic institutions.

The Gala is designed as an intimate, invitation-only gathering that brings together legislative stakeholders, federal leaders, and private-sector executives focused on national security, digital transformation, and critical infrastructure. This year’s event marks 11 years of honoring leaders and innovators for contributions that have strengthened the resilience and security of U.S. critical infrastructure.

Beyond its convening power, the Gala is a benefit: sponsorships, donations, and related fundraising directly enable ICIT to continue producing objective, freely available research and education for the broader public and practitioner community.

Where sponsorship proceeds go

ICIT is explicit about how Gala & Benefit fundraising is used: Proceeds support programs including ICIT’s Digital Library, briefings, and other educational initiatives -- the platforms and programming that help translate research into practical guidance for organizations responsible for operating and defending critical infrastructure.  In other words, sponsors aren’t just underwriting a high-profile evening in D.C.; they’re helping sustain and expand the work products -- publications, learning resources, and community education -- that ICIT positions as central to resilience and modernization efforts.

This year’s co-chair and supporters

This year, ICIT partnered with Google Public Sector to co-chair the 2025 Gala & Benefit. For numerous years, Google Public Sector has been a steadfast partner in ICIT’s mission, providing both financial and thought leadership support to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem. Their continued partnership underscores the vital role of private sector collaboration in protecting critical infrastructure and democratic institutions.

In addition, ICIT recognized the following sponsors and supporters for this year’s Gala:

These partnerships reflect the shared commitment to securing America’s most essential systems and supporting the people who defend them.

2025 Gala details

On the ICIT Gala site, the event is promoted as the community’s “most prestigious gathering” in Washington, D.C., with the current listing noting a January 15, 2026 program at The Watergate Hotel (while still branded as the “2025 ICIT Gala & Benefit”). The event was moved from November to January because of the recent government shutdown.

2025 Gala honorees

We will be publishing profiles for each honoree in the next two weeks. For now, here's a brief bit of detail on each:

Pioneer Award: Ron Gula, President, Gula Tech Adventures: ICIT’s Top Honor is awarded to a globally recognized individual whose leadership and lifetime commitment to public service has fortified critical infrastructures and transformed national security.

Pinnacle Award: Sean Plankey, Senior Advisor to the Homeland Security Secretary for the Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security: Awarded to an individual whose career has led them to the highest levels of the cybersecurity sector and whose contributions to the nation include a legacy of frameworks, guidance, publications, or other artifacts that will strengthen public and private critical infrastructures for generations to come.

Impact Award: Dr. Kelly E. Fletcher, Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of State: Awarded to an individual whose work has significantly impacted a specific sector, cluster of sectors, or agency through technical excellence, innovation, and exceptional leadership.

Excellence in Action Award: Alexandra Seymour - Principal Deputy Assistant National Cyber Director for Policy, Office of the National Cyber Director: Awarded to an individual who has contributed to consequential national security programs and whose personal qualities make them an exceptional candidate for future, high-profile leadership positions.

Interested in supporting ICIT and its Gala & Benefit? Contact [email protected] to become a sponsor, or visit the 2025 ICIT Gala website for more information and tickets.