Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Call for Presenters for 2026 Conference

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) announced its Call for Presenters (CFP) for the WiCyS 2026 Conference is open.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) announced that its Call for Presenters (CFP) for the WiCyS 2026 Conference is now open. As the premier event dedicated to recruiting, retaining and advancing women in cybersecurity, WiCyS 2026 will take place March 11-13, 2026, at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center in the Washington D.C. area, with a virtual option April 22-23, 2026.

As the cybersecurity field continues to evolve, so does the need for strong voices, shared expertise and innovative thinking. Despite rapid technological progress, the workforce still faces a global shortage of more than 4.7 million professionals worldwide (ISC2, 2024). This growing gap underscores the importance of collaboration, mentorship and education—core pillars of the WiCyS mission.

According to the 2025 SANS Workforce Study, 52% of organizations cite skills—not headcount—as their greatest workforce concern. As demand for advanced cybersecurity expertise grows, the WiCyS 2026 Call for Presenters invites professionals, educators and researchers to bring their knowledge to the stage and help close the skills gap. Selected speakers will have the opportunity to share actionable insights, demonstrate emerging tools and techniques and shape the future of the field. Presentations at WiCyS have historically sparked important conversations around workforce development, leadership, technical skills and representation in cybersecurity.

"The annual WiCyS Conference is more than just a showcase of cutting-edge cybersecurity technology and trends—it's a dynamic platform where voices from across the industry are welcomed and celebrated as they help shape the future," said Dr. Ambareen Siraj, WiCyS Founder and Conference Program Co-Chair. "Whether someone is launching their career or leading innovations in cybersecurity in this era of AI, the event will offer a vibrant space to build skills, forge meaningful connections and step into the spotlight. It's an open invitation to the biggest unique stage in cybersecurity that honors the contributions, insights and experiences of diverse professionals who enrich and elevate the global cyber community."

The 2026 WiCyS Conference will feature pre-conference workshops, interactive sessions, panels and a technology showcase alongside a career fair. Presentation tracks include:

• Technical Skill Building
• Education, Workforce Development and Community
• Research & Innovation With Emerging Techniques
• Career Development, Advancement and Management
• Tools, Trends, Perspectives and Sector-Specific Applications

The CFP deadline is October 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM CT.

To view submission guidelines and tips, visit the WiCyS CFP page or contact [email protected].

About Women in CyberSecurity
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity. Founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj through a National Science Foundation grant given to Tennessee Tech University in 2013, WiCyS offers opportunities, trainings, events and resources for its community and members. Strategic partners include Tier 1: 3M, Akamai Technologies, Amazon, Bloomberg, Cisco, Ford Motor Company, Google, Lockheed Martin, Optum, Palo Alto Networks, SANS Institute, SentinelOne. Tier 2: Accenture, Adobe, Microsoft, Navy Federal Credit Union, PayPal, PSEG Services Corporation, Tenable, The MITRE Corporation, Workday. To partner, visit http://www.wicys.org/support/strategic-partnerships/.

SOURCE Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)