The Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference begins Monday! Here are six sessions to check out at the conference next week!

This year, the West version of the Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference will be conducted at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego from October 27 through 29. With over 60 sessions and a beautiful venue (to boot), it will be a great conference for learning about eDiscovery and forensics trends and best practices. You can not only still register for the event, but you can save 10% off the registration fee! The registration page is here, use the promo code EDT25 to save 10%!

It’s really hard to pick just six sessions to check out for the conference next week. Nonetheless, here are six sessions you may want to check out (two of which I’m in!):

Monday, October 27, 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Top Trends from eDiscovery Today: Metadata, Mobile & Cloud Challenges, Pacific F-G

Based on analysis from the eDiscovery Today blog by Editor and Chief Contributor Doug Austin, this session explores four recurring trends that are redefining digital forensic workflows and eDiscovery readiness. With over 1,500 articles published since 2020, eDiscovery Today is widely followed for its daily coverage of the operational, legal, and data-driven shifts impacting discovery teams. This panel will break down how teams are adjusting their internal processes to manage modern metadata, mobile messaging apps, proportional collection demands, and cloud native files like hyperlinked Google Docs and SharePoint records. Rather than focus on legal rulings, this session delivers insight into how professionals are navigating the evolving complexity of digital evidence and what it takes to ensure integrity and defensibility across platforms.

Speakers: Doug Austin, Editor at eDiscovery Today, Jerry Bui, Senior Vice President, Digital Forensics at Purpose Legal, Bree Murphy, Sr. Solutions Engineer with the eDiscovery Chicks Podcast & Exterro and Emily Bartkowicz, Litigation Support Manager at Akerman LLP.

Monday, October 27, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

What the Flock is the EDRM (and why do I care)?, Pacific F-G

This session offers insights into key eDiscovery methodologies—particularly those aligned with the EDRM (Electronic Discovery Reference Model)—and shares why this framework is essential for Forensic and Infosec professionals navigating complex data environments. The discussion will highlight the benefits and limitations of AI in data collection and analysis, with a focus on how it affects efficiency and defensibility. Attendees will leave with an enhanced and practical perspective on the importance of the cross-collaboration between eDiscovery, Forensics, Security, and Privacy.

Speakers: Bree Murphy, Sr. Solutions Engineer with the eDiscovery Chicks Podcast & Exterro and Angie Nolet, Co-Founder/Co-Host with the eDiscovery Chicks Podcast.

Tuesday, October 28, 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Generative AI: Taking Discovery by Storm and the Impact on Digital Investigations, Pacific E

Generative AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, Llama 4, etc.) is an evolutionary technology taking all industries by storm. Most collaboration, social media, and messaging apps have or will be embedding this productivity technology in some way. This session will discuss the impact on the explosion of communications, authentication issues and approaches, and data security risks. It will address the impact on the digital investigations industry from a productivity and threat standpoint. A walkthrough of deepfakes and detection methodologies will be discussed as well as a relevant pending case.

Speakers: Julie Lewis, President & CEO at Digital Mountain, Inc., Chester Hosmer, Author/Founder at Python Forensics.

Tuesday, October 28, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Cost-Effective eDiscovery Production Strategies: Balancing Budget Constraints with Legal Requirements, Pacific F-G

This practical session explores innovative approaches to managing eDiscovery productions while maintaining compliance and controlling costs in today’s data-intensive litigation environment. Attendees will gain actionable insights into developing repeatable processes, utilizing vendor management, and making informed decisions that control spend while meeting legal obligations. Ideal for legal, IT, and compliance professionals, this session offers actionable guidance for navigating the complex intersection of cost control and legal obligations.

Speaker: Brett Burney, VP eDiscovery Consulting at Nextpoint Law Group.

Tuesday, October 28, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Recent Case Law Shaping eDiscovery, Mobile Forensics, and AI Transparency, Pacific F-G

As mobile data proliferates and artificial intelligence enters legal workflows, courts are increasingly weighing in on what constitutes defensible, ethical, and proportional eDiscovery. This session examines recent case law that is directly impacting how forensic professionals, legal teams, and investigators approach data preservation, analysis, and review. Our panel will walk through several impactful rulings from the past 12–18 months and discuss their implications for digital forensics and eDiscovery workflows with a particular focus on:

• Mobile and ephemeral messaging: Expectations for preservation and collection, and how failure to act has led to sanctions
• AI generated content and hallucinations: Judicial responses to the use of generative AI in legal filings and evidence preparation
• Transparency in AI assisted workflows: When and how parties are expected to disclose AI use in review, analysis, or evidence creation
• Privacy and consent in AI-driven data use: How state level privacy laws are shaping the defensibility of AI generated and AI processed data, including issues related to consent and unauthorized data use

Attendees will leave with:

• A curated update on recent case law relevant to digital forensics and legal technology
• Practical takeaways for preserving modern data sources and maintaining defensibility
• Guidance on disclosure obligations and evolving expectations around AI use in legal contexts

Speakers: Doug Austin, Editor at eDiscovery Today, Bobby Williams, Director, Investigator & GCFE Inclusion Chair and Lea Malani Bays, Partner at Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP.

Wednesday, October 29, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

The Intersection of AI, Forensic Readiness, and eDiscovery: Preparing for the Future of Litigation, Pacific C

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the legal landscape, the intersection of AI, forensic readiness, and eDiscovery has emerged as a critical area of focus for legal professionals and forensic practitioners. This session will explore how organizations can integrate AI tools into their forensic and eDiscovery workflows to streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and uncover deeper insights—all while maintaining compliance and defensibility in legal proceedings. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and readiness strategies to adapt to the evolving landscape of litigation, leveraging AI to stay ahead in an increasingly complex digital evidence environment.

Speaker: Jerry Bui, Senior Vice President, Digital Forensics at Purpose Legal.

Hope to see you there! 😊

So, what do you think? Are you attending the Techno Security & Digital Forensics Conference in San Diego? If so, say hi! And please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.