Heartland 2025 Tackles Cybersecurity and AI: Preparing for a Smarter, Safer Future

Published in Member Communities on May 08, 2025

Jeremy Kauten This post was originally featured in HME News.

With cyberattacks escalating and AI innovation moving at warp speed, VGM’s Heartland Conference is expanding its focus on digital preparedness by introducing a dedicated technology & security track to this year’s pre-conference.

Last year’s data breach at Change Healthcare, which exposed the information of nearly 190 million people, was a wake-up call for the entire industry. From patient trust to business continuity, the consequences of falling behind are no longer theoretical.

“There's always been a class or two on technology or security,” said Jeremy Kauten, CIO of VGM Group, “but the reason we added the track was demand.”

The new track covers cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, along with sessions on compliance, business continuity, and disaster recovery. It also covers practical tools like e-commerce and Microsoft products, including CoPilot.

Attendees can also expect facetime with vendors specializing in these areas—from AI billing platforms and CPAP mask-fitting tools to penetration testing firms and ethical hackers who help companies identify and patch vulnerabilities. But beyond the booths, Kauten says, some of the most valuable insights come from fellow providers.

“Research what your peers have done,” he said. “That’s the whole point of this conference—figuring out what other people have and the mistakes they’ve found.”

Kauten says cybersecurity is the No. 1 concern, with AI not far behind. A major breach, he says, can shrink a business overnight, while intelligent use of AI can drive real efficiency. But he cautions against jumping too fast into unproven tools or overinvesting in platforms that don’t deliver.

“If someone convinces you that you can lay off 100 people with AI tomorrow, you might be willing to spend a lot of money,” he said. “And it might just be snake oil. How do you know if it's really going to work or not? You’ll be able to find that out (at the conference).”

For providers without a CIO or CTO, the track offers a starting point—not just through formal sessions but through conversations with peers and vendors.

“The most important takeaway would be to get started,” he said. “Just get started. Move it forward. Basically, when you leave, advance your initiatives.”

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