WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: WiCyS 2026 Call for Presenters

Securing Tomorrow: Advancing Cyber Excellence Through Innovation, Resilience, Education and Community

WiCyS is a vibrant community of women, men, allies and advocates united by a shared mission to recruit, retain, and advance women in cybersecurity as part of a workforce solution. Through collective action and focused initiatives, we amplify voices, showcase talent, and cultivate career pathways at every stage.

The annual WiCyS Conference serves as a catalyst for connection and transformation within the broader cybersecurity community. We shine a spotlight on potential and elevate role models for current and next generation cybersecurity professionals.

This year’s conference highlights the future of cybersecurity and privacy in the era of artificial intelligence—an age defined by innovation, challenge, and opportunity. From pioneering research and emerging technologies to workforce development and community outreach, WiCyS 2026 offers a dynamic platform for learning, sharing and collaborating.

WiCyS 2026 Pre-conference workshops, and presentations sessions will kick off on Wednesday, March 11, followed by sessions on Thursday and Friday. The career fair will take place all day on Thursday and on Friday morning. In addition to these events, there are a variety of other activities planned throughout the conference including a new Technology Showcase. As the program is developed, the conference committee will thoughtfully assign selected submissions to time slots that best enhance the overall agenda and ensure a cohesive experience.

The Virtual Conference will be held on April 22 and 23, 2026, with dedicated time slots for the Virtual Career Fair on April 23.

Conference Website	https://www.wicys.org/events/wicys-2026/
Submissions Open (All Categories)	September 10, 2025
Submission Deadline (Except Posters)	October 15, 2025; at 5:00pm Central Time
Notification Status (Non-Poster)	December 3, 2025
Poster Submission Deadline	December 15, 2025; 5:00pm Central Time
Poster Notifications Status	January 12, 2026

The 2026 WiCyS Annual Conference will have five different tracks. CFP submissions can be related to anything within the five tracks that would be valuable to WiCyS attendees.

Technical Skill Building
- Technical skill development in all areas of cybersecurity and/or privacy
Example: A workshop on secure coding practices for AI-integrated application

Research and Innovation with Emerging Techniques
- Scientific research addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges
- Emerging tools, algorithms and techniques used in cybersecurity.
Example: A study evaluating the effectiveness of biometric authentication against AI attacks
Example: AI methods and techniques for real-time threat detection and intrusion prevention

Tools, Trends, Perspectives and Sector-specific applications
- Cybersecurity tools with specialized use cases across domains
- Cybersecurity applications within critical infrastructure and industry sectors
- Perspectives and analysis on cybersecurity trends, challenges, or current events
Example: A threat modeling application tailored for healthcare providers
Example: A session on securing power grid networks from nation-state attacks
Example: A roundtable discussing the impact of global ransomware campaigns on public policy

Education, Workforce Development and Community
- Formal and informal cybersecurity education for elementary through post-secondary levels.
- Workforce development initiatives to align with current and future cybersecurity job demands.
- Community outreach and partnerships that promote access to cybersecurity knowledge and resources
Example: A hands-on K-12 cybersecurity curriculum designed for after-school programs
Example: A panel discussing bootcamp models for preparing mid-career professionals for cyber roles
Example: A case study on collaborating with local organizations to host cyber safety seminars in underserved communities

Career Development, Advancement and Management
- Career entry pathways for aspiring professionals such as internships, apprenticeships, job searching and resume building.
- Career advancement strategies for professionals covering leadership, negotiation, growth and personal wellness.
- Management approaches for HR professionals, including hiring processes and organizational strategies
Example: A hands-on session exploring job searching strategies using AI tools
Example: A roundtable discussion on leadership roles for mid-career cybersecurity professionals
Example: A talk on effective hiring practices amid budget constraints

Presenters may make multiple submissions on different topics in different categories. Submissions on the same topic must not be entered in multiple categories (Birds of a Feather, Lightning Talk, Panel, Presentation, Workshop.)

Submissions will be peer-reviewed through a blind review process with the presenter's name, email and affiliation anonymized. Presenters should take special care that their abstracts and descriptions do not include names/affiliations or details that will undermine this blind review.

Accepted submissions will be notified by December 3, 2025. All participants for accepted submissions will have access to early registration and lodging reservations. Registered presenters will be listed in the program and on our conference app in the order listed in the submission.

Please only include those presenters that you have confirmed will present, if accepted.

All submissions must be submitted through this Call For Presenters platform.

Submitters need to identify the type of submission: Birds of a Feather, Lightning Talk, Panel, Presentation, Workshop, or Student Poster.
Submitters also must identify which tracks: Technical Skill Building; Research and Innovation with Emerging Techniques; Tools, Trends, Perspectives and Sector-specific applications; Education, Workforce Development and Community; and Career Development, Advancement and Management. Multiple tracks can be selected. No track is required for Student Poster.
Please do not include ANY names or affiliations in the abstract since all reviews are anonymized.
An abstract is limited to 250 words that clearly describes the content and provides an overview of the proposed session (published in program).
An outline of the proposed session should also be submitted with additional details for evaluation by the program committee and will not be published.
Presentations may be presented in-person, or virtual or both. Please indicate your preference during the submission process.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER (BoaF)

Birds of a Feather (BoaF) are informal discussion sessions engaging the audience and moderated by the facilitator(s) on just about any topic related to cybersecurity and/or privacy. The facilitator leads the discussion with primary participation from the audience. These sessions can be a great way to share ideas and be introduced to current issues or trends in this area. BoaF sessions are 45 minutes long with a maximum of two listed facilitators.
- First listed facilitator receives complimentary registration and does not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.
- Second listed presenter does not receive complimentary registration or Gaylord National Harbor Credit; they receive early registration.

LIGHTNING TALKS

Lightning talks highlight fresh ideas, unique perspectives, valuable experiences and emerging trends in cybersecurity and/or privacy. Lightning Talks are five-minute talks (with or without formal presentations) with a maximum of one listed presenter.
- Listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.

PANELS

Panels provide opportunities to spotlight discussion on a current, relevant topic in cybersecurity and/or privacy. Panel submitters are responsible for selecting appropriate panelists to participate. In addition to the moderator, there can be two or three panelists and each panel is 45 minutes long with a minimum of two and a maximum of three panelists and one moderator listed. Submit all confirmed names and their affiliation info along with the abstract.
Moderator receives complimentary registration and does not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.
- Up to three panelists receive reduced rate conference registration ($300) and do not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.

PRESENTATIONS

Technical presentations highlight innovations, research & development projects, technical skills development, internships/co-ops experiences, service-learning and outreach projects, or other interesting experiences related to cybersecurity and/or privacy. Technical presentations are 45 minutes long, including time for Q&A, with a maximum of two listed presenters.
- If accepted for In-person Conference:
  - First listed presenter receives complimentary registration and Gaylord National Harbor Credit.
  - Second listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.
- If accepted for Virtual Conference:
  - First and second listed presenters receive complimentary virtual conference registration.

WORKSHOPS

Workshops are hands-on sessions (technical/professional development) on any topic related to cybersecurity and/or privacy. The audience should be engaged and participate in activities throughout the session. Workshops are 1 hour and 45 minutes in length with a maximum of four listed presenters. Workshops should be suitable for a large audience (>150 attendees).
- First listed presenter receives complimentary registration and Gaylord travel stipend.
- Second listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive Gaylord National Harbor Credit.
- Other listed presenters do not receive complimentary registration or Gaylord National Harbor Credit; they receive early registration.

STUDENT POSTERS

Posters provide opportunities for students to present their work to the audience at WiCyS in poster format. The Poster judging process will select winners in both the undergraduate and graduate categories. The Winners of the poster competition in both undergraduate and graduate categories receive travel support for future security conference(s) of their choice. Runners-up receive prizes as well.
- Submissions must be presented in person and the first listed presenter must be the lead presenter. Maximum of 4 presenters
- The first listed student of accepted posters will receive an automatic scholarship to register and attend WiCyS 2026, which includes conference registration, conference meals and 2 nights shared lodging. There is a $50 registration processing fee. They also receive a $500 travel stipend.
- Additional students listed on a poster must apply for a scholarship to attend and there is no automatic scholarship.
- Presenting a poster at the conference is a student member benefit. Accepted poster presenters must become a student member if they are not already a student member.