WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: WiCyS 2027 Call for Presenters

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 2027 offers a dynamic platform for learning, sharing and collaborating.

WiCyS 2027 Pre-conference workshops, and presentations sessions will kick off on Wednesday, March 17, followed by sessions on Thursday and Friday. In addition to these events, there are a variety of other activities planned throughout the conference. 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 28 and 29, 2027.

Conference Website	https://www.wicys.org/events/wicys-2027/
Submissions Open (All Categories)	September 2, 2026
Submission Deadline (Except Posters)	September 30, 2026 at 5:00pm Central Time
Notification of Status (Non-Poster)	November 18, 2026
Poster Submission Deadline	November 4, 2026 at 5:00pm Central Time
Poster Notification of Status	December 11, 2026
2026 WiCyS Program	Download the program.

The 2027 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
Examples:
- A workshop on secure coding practices for AI-integrated application
- A presentation on how to apply reverse engineering techniques
- A workshop with simulated intrusion detection activities
- Purple Team exercise where the room is split between emulating technique and writing detection methods

Research and Innovation with Emerging Techniques

Scientific research addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges
Emerging tools, algorithms and techniques used in cybersecurity
Examples:
- A study evaluating the effectiveness of biometric authentication against AI attacks
- 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
Examples:
- A threat modeling application tailored for healthcare providers
- A session on securing power grid networks from nation-state attacks
- A roundtable discussing the impact of global ransomware campaigns on public policy
- A session discussing new policies for approaches to insure/regulate responsible use of AI in a system
- How to use Ghidra to analyze compiled machine code or binaries (executables) to understand how software functions

Education, Workforce Development and Community

Formal and informal cybersecurity education at all levels from K to Gray
Workforce development strategies and initiatives for meeting job demands
Outreach and partnerships that promote community building and nurturing
Examples:
- A hands-on K-12 cybersecurity curriculum designed for after-school programs
- A panel discussing bootcamp models for preparing mid-career professionals for cyber roles
- 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
Examples:
- A guided tour of job-search strategies using AI tools
- A roundtable discussion on leadership roles for mid-career cybersecurity professionals
- 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 (Lightning Talk, Panel, Presentation, Workshop, Student Poster)

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 (all except Student Posters) will be notified by November 18, 2026. 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. Changes to presenters of accepted submissions are not allowed.

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

Submitters need to identify the type of submission: 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.
Submissions in the Presentation category can be reviewed for in-person, virtual or both. Please indicate your preference during the submission process.

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). There is a maximum of one listed presenter.
- Listed presenter receives complimentary registration. There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.

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. Each panel is 45 minutes in length. In addition to the moderator, there can be three or four panelists; a panel has a minimum of three and a maximum of four panelists and one moderator listed. At the time of submission, panelist names must be confirmed. Submit all confirmed names and their affiliation info along with the abstract.
- The moderator receives complimentary registration. There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.
- Up to four (4) panelists receive reduced rate conference registration ($300 discount). There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.

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:
  - Listed presenters (maximum 2) receive complimentary registration. There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.
- If accepted for Virtual Conference:
  - 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 two (2) listed presenters receive complimentary registration. There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.
- Up to two (2) additional presenters receive reduced rate conference registration ($300 discount). There is no complimentary lodging or lodging stipend provided. There is no travel support. Alternatively, all WiCyS members are eligible to apply for a scholarship that includes shared lodging.

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 will receive a scholarship to the 2028 conference.
- 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 an accepted poster receives an automatic scholarship to register for and attend WiCyS 2027. A $75 registration processing fee is required. The scholarship includes shared lodging. If shared lodging is declined, the student is responsible for paying for their own lodging.
- Additional students listed on a poster may apply for a scholarship for attendance; these are not granted automatically nor guaranteed.

FOR ALL SUBMISSION TYPES

Upon acceptance, the conference registration team will determine the best financial support option for your registration based on your accepted submission or committee activities. Please note that benefits from multiple conference activities may not be combined.
If awarded a WiCyS scholarship, presenter benefits do not apply. All scholarships require a $75 registration processing fee unless part of an Academic sponsorship.

Your completed submission serves as an indication that you acknowledge the policies and benefits as outlined above.