From AI to Network Security: What California Community College IT Leaders Will Gain at CENIC’s The Right Connection 2026

California community colleges looking to better understand the implications of artificial intelligence (AI), including ethical considerations beyond the technical, have a valuable opportunity at The Right Connection Conference, hosted by Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC), March 29–April 1, 2026, in Monterey, CA.

The conference includes multiple sessions focused on practical ways colleges can expand AI capacity without overextending budgets:

  • CENIC AIR (Artificial Intelligence Resource) provides participating colleges with AI computing and storage resources at no cost beyond equipment and 100GB service, which can be partially paid with CENIC funds. 
  • Sessions will highlight real campus use cases, from California State University (CSU) partners to major research institutions, demonstrating how shared infrastructure can support AI and machine learning (ML) projects across disciplines. For colleges balancing innovation with stable core services, these discussions offer grounded, actionable insight.

Security and compliance are also front and center:

  • A hands-on workshop led by the Center for Internet Security (CIS) will introduce Critical Security Controls and Benchmarks, practical frameworks institutions are adopting to strengthen their security posture. 
  • An additional session will cover guidance on building a secure Science DMZ to safely support high-performance computing and research traffic without introducing cross-network risk.
  • Equally valuable is the opportunity to connect directly with CENIC engineers and peers from across California Community Colleges, CSU, and University of California (UC) systems, public libraries, and California research institutions. 

Whether you’re troubleshooting network segmentation, planning AI-ready infrastructure, or evaluating cybersecurity priorities, these peer conversations often prove just as valuable as the formal sessions.

Registration includes all sessions (including Sunday workshops), conference meals, and evening networking events. Hotel rooms at the conference rate tend to fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged.

Want more? Technology professionals can also engage year-round through CENIC’s Community Technology Affinity Group (C2TAG), which connects members through a mailing list, Slack, and regular meetings to share best practices, discuss challenges, and provide technical guidance that helps shape the network.

Questions about how to maximize CENIC benefits for your college? Contact Cindy McCartney, CENIC Project Manager, at cmccartney@ccctechcenter.org.