Introduction to I Am The Cavalry - Preparing for 2027

The session opens the second day of the I Am The Cavalry track with a recap of the first day's themes. The speaker argues that society depends on connected technology that is not dependable, and that disruptions to lifeline services are growing larger, longer and more likely to affect safety. Healthcare payment systems, a non-malicious software update that caused widespread outages, and rural hospitals with only a few weeks of cash reserves are used as examples of how a single failure can cascade.

The middle of the talk focuses on Volt Typhoon, described as pre-positioning inside US water utilities, and on the possibility of destructive action around 2027. The speaker points out that many small operators in rural areas lack security staff and cannot follow standard frameworks, so practical steps matter more than long programs. The talk also introduces a one-year pilot called Undisrupted 27, which concentrates on water, food, emergency care and power, and proposes informing, influencing and inspiring people through tested messaging rather than technical advice alone.

The closing section asks attendees to consider their own household readiness for a water or power interruption, and previews the discussion blocks later in the day on preparedness, wartime rumors and the pilot's work. The main takeaway is that near-term preparation, honest communication and community resilience are the practical priorities while longer-term fixes take years to arrive.