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Top cybersecurity conferences to attend in 2026


Top 2026 conferences

Business conferences aren’t just opportunities to expand your professional network—they’re a way to stay ahead of the curve. Cybersecurity-focused events, in particular, offer valuable insights into the latest trends and innovations shaping the industry. And this year, there’s no shortage of such events to choose from.

For this article, we’ve compiled a list of 10 cybersecurity conferences that truly deserve your attention. We’ve also included key information to help you plan your calendar: when and where each event takes place, and what you can expect from attending.

2026 cybersecurity conferences you shouldn’t miss

Each event on this list offers a unique experience, which is why we present them in no particular order. Our goal is to help you identify the ones that best suit your interests and professional needs. Let’s dive in.

1. RSA Conference

When: March 23-26

Where: San Francisco, USA

The RSA Conference is one of the world’s largest cybersecurity events, drawing in over 40,000 participants each year. Known for its unmatched networking opportunities and deep industry insights, it unites top security professionals to explore topics like AI, cloud security, and emerging threats.

The 2026 theme, “The Power of Community,” focuses on how collective intelligence is key to navigating the rise of agentic AI. Aligned with this theme, attendees will experience inspiring keynotes, hands-on technical sessions, bustling vendor exhibitions, and countless opportunities to connect with peers.

This year’s lineup includes over 700 speakers, featuring special guests such as Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Adam Savage, special effects designer and host of MythBusters.

Whether you’re a cybersecurity expert or part of any organization looking to strengthen its defenses, the RSA Conference offers the latest insights, practical strategies, and valuable connections—all in one place.

2. Black Hat USA

When: August 1-6

Where: Las Vegas, USA

Black Hat USA is another major cybersecurity event of the year. Unofficially known as the “hacker summer camp,” it’s a multi-day conference where you can attend in-depth sessions and explore the extensive networking spaces at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

During the event, attendees can join specialized cybersecurity workshops and hear experts from around the world present groundbreaking research on applied security, exploit development, malware, and more. Previous editions have featured industry legends, government leaders from the CISA and NSA, and representatives from top cybersecurity companies—and this year’s lineup promises to be just as impressive.

Black Hat USA is known for being more technical and research-focused, diving deep into the mechanics of attacks and defenses. So, if you want to understand exactly how the latest cyber threats emerge (and how the new technologies are designed to stop them), this is the place to be.

3. DEF CON

When: August 6-9

Where: Las Vegas, USA

DEF CON is one of the oldest and largest hacking conventions. Initially a gathering for cybercriminal network members, it now draws 25–30k attendees, including threat actors and highly reputable companies. Instead of a traditional business hall with vendors, it offers “villages”—areas dedicated to specific niches like social engineering, AI, or car hacking.

The 34th edition of the event will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center, offering the latest updates from the fast-evolving world of cybersecurity. In 2025, DEF CON focused on the theme of “Access Everywhere,” emphasizing breaking down digital walls to create a more inclusive digital commons and addressing the need for privacy and safety. Speakers demonstrated terrifyingly practical exploits, such as achieving remote code execution through “safe” machine learning models and hijacking AI coding assistants to inject malicious backdoors.

Although the theme for this year’s event hasn’t been announced yet, attendees can expect it to be timely and designed to take their cybersecurity expertise to the next level.

4. Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit

When: June 1-3

Where: National Harbor, MD, USA

The Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit is the prime destination for those focused on the strategic side of cybersecurity. Designed mainly for CISOs, the event helps translate complex cyber threats into actionable business logic. With over 4,500 security leaders attending each year, the summit focuses on areas such as governance, risk management, and the evolving role of security leadership.

The 2026 edition will be heavily influenced by the rise of artificial intelligence, featuring key sessions such as “How to Secure Custom-Built AI Agents” and “4 Steps to Build AI-Ready Cybersecurity Teams.”

Unlike other conferences, where much of the day is spent on the expo floor, the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit delivers data-driven sessions in which attendees can receive tailored advice from analysts to validate their specific security roadmaps.

Attendees can expect to gain metrics-driven insights and peer networking opportunities essential to leading a threat resilient organization.

5. SANS Cybersecurity Leadership Summit & Training

When: March 17-22

Where: Arlington, VA, USA

The SANS Cybersecurity Leadership Summit stands as the forum for security executives, directors, and aspiring CISOs to bridge the gap between sophisticated technical threats and organizational business objectives.

This year’s agenda covers a wide range of topics, from artificial intelligence and network security to browser protection and strategies for winning budget battles to secure security funding. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with top CISOs, directors, and managers who are at the forefront of cybersecurity.

If you are part of the security leadership community looking to sharpen your strategic skills, build connections, and gain actionable insights, this summit is not to be missed.

6. Infosecurity Europe

When: June 2-4

Where: London, UK

Infosecurity Europe is widely regarded as the continent’s largest cybersecurity gathering, known for combining high-level strategic discussions with a vast exhibition floor showcasing the latest security solutions.

In recent years, the event has attracted more than 15,000 attendees and over 400 cybersecurity vendors, all coming together to explore what’s next in protecting our digital lives. The 2026 agenda promises to address some of the industry’s most pressing topics—from agentic AI and quantum encryption to Zero Trust architectures. As the organizers put it, “the programme bridges the gap between emerging threats and actionable, long-term resilience.”

Hosted at ExCeL London, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most important security conferences of the year—and a must-visit for professionals determined to capitalize on innovation.

7. Pax8 Beyond

When: October 18-20

Where: Copenhagen, Denmark

Pax8 Beyond is the flagship partner conference for the cloud marketplace Pax8, specifically tailored for Managed Service Providers (MSPs).

This event goes beyond technology, focusing on the business of cybersecurity—how to scale your MSP, integrate cutting-edge services into your offering, and unlock new growth opportunities. Over 3 days, attendees will have access to more than 70 hours of inspiring content, featuring groundbreaking sessions led by industry experts, successful MSPs, and top security vendors.

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your business strategies, explore new cybersecurity tools, or connect with peers, Pax8 Beyond delivers the insights and guidance to take your MSP to the next level.

8. AWS re:Invent 2026

When: November 30 - December 4

Where: Las Vegas, USA

As the name of the conference suggests, AWS re:Invent is the flagship event on the cloud computing calendar, serving as the primary launchpad for Amazon Web Services’ next-generation innovations. The conference draws thousands of security professionals, developers, and cloud architects from around the world, offering a mix of keynotes, technical sessions, hands-on labs, and immersive workshops.

This year, AWS re:Invent will incorporate elements from AWS re:Inforce, the event dedicated to cloud security, compliance, identity security, privacy, and AI-driven protection. As a result, attendees can expect in-depth coverage of these critical cybersecurity topics, alongside the latest innovations in cloud architecture and enterprise solutions.

Sessions will be led by AWS leaders across multiple departments, providing both strategic guidance and practical takeaways that organizations can implement immediately.

9. CYBERUK 2026

When: April 21-23

Where: Glasgow, Scotland

CYBERUK is a government-backed cybersecurity conference hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Marking the NCSC’s 10th anniversary, the 2026 edition is set as a landmark event, transitioning from a domestic focus to a global leadership role in advancing cyber defense.

This year, over 2,500 cybersecurity leaders and technical professionals are expected to attend, alongside dozens of exhibitors. Beyond extensive networking opportunities, CYBERUK 2026 will serve as a hub for knowledge, covering topics ranging from the latest threats facing today’s organizations to the vulnerabilities of artificial intelligence.

10. NICE Conference & Expo 2026

When: June 1–3

Where: Philadelphia, USA

NICE Conference & Expo is an annual event dedicated to the “human element” of cybersecurity—developing, educating, and retaining a skilled global workforce. Hosted by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), it brings together experts from across sectors to tackle the ongoing cybersecurity talent gap.

In 2026, the conference will start with a half-day of focused workshops, followed by two full days of sessions led by experts tackling the nation’s cybersecurity education, training, and workforce needs.

Attendees will include professionals from across the cybersecurity spectrum—policymakers, tech developers, security advisors, educators, and more—making it a perfect venue to gain diverse insights and perspectives.

How to pick the right cybersecurity conferences and maximize your experience

Although it can be tempting to fill your calendar with interesting conferences, in reality, you probably won’t be able to attend them all. That’s why it’s better to focus on just a few that will bring the most value.

When selecting conferences to attend, the key consideration is how well the agenda aligns with your line of work. Some conferences lean more toward a technical focus, while others emphasize business strategy. You can also consider the format—some events feature mostly presentations, whereas others offer hands-on workshops. Finally, location is an important factor, as conferences are held around the world and should fit within your travel schedule.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, register early. Early registration isn’t just about saving money (though that’s a bonus). It also gives you better travel options and more time to prepare, helping you approach the conference strategically and maximize your experience.

After the conference, take time to review your notes. With so much information presented, it can be overwhelming to absorb everything at once. Reflect thoughtfully on what you learned and how it applies to your everyday work. Also, don’t forget to follow up with new contacts—this ensures the conference continues to benefit you long after it’s over.

Planning to attend? Let’s connect!

If any of the cybersecurity conferences we mentioned caught your interest, we hope to see you there and have a chance to discuss your approach to security and explore how we can support you.

First up is the RSA Conference, where we’ll be at booth S-1939 showcasing our latest business solutions, including NordLayer—and our new NordLayer Browser—as well as NordPass and NordStellar.

We’ll also be attending other events throughout the year, so be sure to follow our channels for updates. And if we can’t connect in person, you can always reach us online to learn more about our latest innovations and how we help businesses protect themselves against evolving cyberthreats.


Senior Copywriter


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