Five Must-Attend Information Security Conferences

Five Can't Miss Information Security Conferences

• DEF CON
• Black Hat USA
• InfoSecWorld
• RSA Conference
• DerbyCon

Information security conferences are key to staying on top of this rapidly evolving industry. You need to learn about new cybersecurity threats, new solutions and new trends if you want to be a top-notch security specialist. That’s why so many conferences are shifting towards hands-on workshops and technology demonstrations, meaning you’ll head back to the office with practical skills you can implement right away. Here are five great conferences for information security workers that include skill-building sessions with every registration.

DEF CON

DEF CON isn’t just a great information security conference. It’s also a party, a tradition 25 years in the making and a major bucket list item. DEF CON features workshops, talks and panels from leading security experts, a massive exhibit hall and nightly parties with karaoke, video games and live music. In 2018, DEF CON will be held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV, from August 9-12. This year’s theme is the counter-future. Organizers are focused on talks and workshops teaching others to avoid big data surveillance, government spying and other forms of the future technological dystopia. If you think you’ve got expertise to offer, you can submit your proposal on the Call for EVERYTHING page.

Black Hat USA

If you’re looking for a skills-focused conference, Black Hat is your best bet. Start with four days of technical training on hacking, penetration testing and programming, then stick around for the two day conference with over 17,000 attendees. Black Hat USA 2018 will be held August 4-9 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV, so you could make the most of your trip by heading to DEF CON right after this event.

InfoSecWorld

Is Sin City not your ideal conference location? Are you looking for a family-friendly cyber security conference? Then head to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista, FL, for the InfoSecWorld Conference & Expo 2018 on March 19-21. Kick things off with a full-day Open Source Intelligence Gathering (OSIG) workshop to learn about this growing threat to your company’s security and how you can combat it. Then choose between dozens of expert-led talks, networking events and workshops in a packed schedule. When the main conference is finished, stick around for a few more workshops or head to one of Disney’s parks.

RSA Conference

The RSA Conference is one of the biggest events in information security because of its diverse schedule. You won’t want to miss the RSAC Innovation Sandbox, where hundreds of entrepreneurs compete for an opportunity at a 3-minute product pitch in front of the cyber security world. Whether you have an amazing product or you’re looking for the newest revolution in the industry, this is a can’t miss event. The RSA Conference 2018 will take place in San Fransicso, CA, from April 16 to 20. Continuing education credit are available from most accreditation organizations. The RSAC Innovation Sandbox event is April 16 from 1:30 to 4:30 P.M.

DerbyCon

Don’t have the budget to fly to the coasts? Boss pushing you to find an affordable information security conference this year? DerbyCon is on its eight year in affordable Louisville, Kentucky, and brings together a host of speakers on many different topics. This conference is particularly friendly to first-time presenters, making it a great place to test the waters of speaking professionally or just sharing a project your team’s completed. DerbyCon 2018 will take place October 5 through 7.

Related Resource: The 25 Best Master's in Information Assurance and Security Programs Online for 2018

If travel isn’t in the cards for you this year, don’t fret. Most of these great information security conferences offer live streaming access to important talks, so you can still get the information you need without leaving the office.