Knowing which events to go to can be a bit of a minefield and the pandemic hasn’t helped matters. Remember when we could meet face-to-face and network? Seems like a long time ago. Despite this fact, the importance of conferences is vital for any industry and organisers are doing their upmost to ensure we are not deprived of the many opportunities these events can bring. Thankfully, most events have been made virtual and so the discussion and innovation of cybersecurity can continue. While there are hundreds of events to choose from, here is the IT Security Guru’s pick of the top 10 cybersecurity conferences that you shouldn’t miss, regardless if they are virtual events or not:
RSA Conference
Virtual
May 17-20, 2021
https://www.rsaconference.com/usa
Generally considered the biggest security event in the world, the RSA security conference is one event that should not be missed on the cyber calendar. Tens of thousands fly in from all over the world and typically, during non-COVID times, it would signal the start of conference season. Drawing in crowds of over 42,000, RSA in San Francisco is the perfect event and venue for both established and new security professionals to converge, network and debate developments to the wider infosec community.
Infosecurity Europe
Olympia London
June 8-10, 2021
https://www.infosecurityeurope.com/en-gb/whats-on/conference.html
Just as RSA is the landmark event in the US, Infosecurity is Europe’s marquee conference. Security professionals hold this event in high regard and thanks to its free admission rate, it always draws big attendances. The key notes are always engaging, the discussions insightful and, with over 400 exhibitors, there is something for everyone. It is an immersive event for the entire information security community that shouldn’t be missed.
Black Hat
Europe/US/Asia
https://www.blackhat.com/upcoming.html
For security professionals that are looking for a more technical track, then the Black Hat conference series is the one for you. Formed in 1997, the event series quickly became a popular choice for security researchers, engineers, pentesters, developers, cryptographers and ethical hackers to reveal the latest and greatest (or worst) vulnerabilities). The events span around the globe with the most popular found in Las Vegas, London and Singapore.
Les Assises
Monaco
October 10-14, 2021
https://en.lesassisesdelasecurite.com/
On mainland Europe, specifically Monaco, there is the Les Assises cybersecurity conference. Labelled as the “founding event of the cybersecurity marker”, for 20 years, Les Assises has been a staple event for security professionals to engage with vendors and their mission critical solutions. With a beautiful setting to host a cybersecurity event, the conference would normally play host to over 3,000 security professionals.
Cloud & Cyber Expo
London
October 6-7, 2021
The Cloud & Cyber Expo is one of the best conferences if you have an interest in cloud security and digital protection – let’s face it, with digital transformation most of us are. Held at London’s Excel Centre, the event brings the industry’s leading cloud and security providers, IT Gurus and security practitioners to give guidance on how to stay safe in a hostile digital space. Typically, there are over 700 vendors and attendances can reach up to 21,000.
IT SA
Nuremberg
October 12-14, 2021
Situated in Nuremberg, Germany and regarded as the “Home of IT Security”, the it-sa security conference is another European staple that shouldn’t be missed. It provides the perfect platform for vendors to speak with customers, generate leads and network. In fact, research conducted by the event found 91% of the exhibitors were able to reach their most important target group during the conference. Across the four days, over 700 exhibitors from nearly 30 countries network have the opportunity to speak with almost 16,000 attendees.
Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference
Dubai, UAE
May 31-2 June, 2021
The Middle East is a growing market for the cybersecurity industry and the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC) is the biggest event in this region, overshadowing all others in terms of size, diversity, and technology on show. The show tackles the global and regional cybersecurity issues, and as such, attracts a captive audience of decision-makers from more than 200 government departments and leading enterprises in the Middle East.
Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit
All Regions
Various Dates
https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/calendar
Gartner’s Security & Risk Management Summits regularly make the top lists of cybersecurity events to attend as they attract a wealth of senior management and C-level professionals to help build resilience and adjust to the challenges in a world where nothing is certain. It tackles key business security strategy, IT risk management and how to leverage modern technology. Those that attend are empowered with valuable insights that include real-life case studies, training workshops and networking opportunities that benefit the security of the wider community. Summit events are wide reaching and include America, London, APAC, Middle East and India.
IT Security Analyst & CISO Forum
London
January 26-27, 2021
This niche 2-day conference is billed as cybersecurity’s ‘speed dating’ event of the year for security providers. Vendors have the opportunity to brief in two days the most powerful IT security analysts in the world which include Forrester, IDC, Kuppinger Cole, Frost & Sullivan and 451 research. There is also the opportunity to be involved and participate in a roundtable debate with some of the world’s top CISO’s from leading organisations like HSBC, BP, NHS, Canon, GlaxoSmithKline and many more. This is the perfect opportunity to build and nurture lasting relationships with key figures within the industry.
BSides
Worldwide
Various Dates
http://www.securitybsides.com/w/page/12194156/FrontPage
Described as a conference by the information security community, for the information security community, BSides events are a fantastic opportunity for security professionals to demonstrate, network, collaborate and converse about the many facets of cybersecurity. With events taking place in various locations around the world, BSides are ideal for those that cannot make the big conferences.
