Cybersecurity professionals across the country are marking their calendars for October. A major gathering is coming to Orlando, Florida, and it promises fresh insights on threats, leadership, and business resilience. This guide covers everything you need to know before you book your seat.

When and Where the Event Takes Place

The 2026 edition runs from October 11 to October 15. It will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This venue offers plenty of meeting space, on-site hotel rooms, and easy access from Orlando International Airport, so travel planning should be simple for most attendees.

The schedule is spread across five days. Pre-event workshops open the week on October 11 and 12. The main conference then runs from October 12 through October 14. Finally, post-event workshops close things out on October 15. Because of this structure, attendees can choose a shorter visit focused on keynotes and sessions, or a longer stay that includes hands-on training.

Why This Conference Matters

Now in its 31st year, this gathering has earned a reputation as one of the leading cybersecurity conferences in the country. It is often described as the business of security event, since it blends technical depth with strategic guidance for executives. Attendees include chief information security officers, IT directors, risk managers, and hands-on practitioners.

Unlike many events that focus purely on technology, this one pays close attention to leadership, communication, and organizational resilience. Sessions cover artificial intelligence, cloud security, identity management, governance, and the shifting threat landscape. Therefore, the agenda appeals both to technical staff and to business leaders who need to translate risk into plain language for their boards.

Ticket Prices and Pass Types

Several pass types are available, and pricing varies depending on your role and organization type. The table below breaks down the main options.

Government staff need a valid work ID to qualify for reduced pricing. Similarly, non-profit and education discounts require proof of employment, such as a verified work email. For-profit consultants and contractors do not qualify for these reduced rates, so it is worth checking eligibility before you register.

Group registration also brings savings. Organizations that send three or more employees can apply a discount code at checkout. Below is a quick summary of the team rates.

These discounts apply only to World Pass and Main Conference registrations, and they cannot be combined with other offers. Additionally, once a group registration is confirmed, no further attendees can be added to that discounted batch.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

Plans change, so it helps to understand the refund rules ahead of time. Written notice must be sent to the event’s customer service team for any cancellation to be processed.

• Cancellations made before July 1, 2026, receive a full refund, minus a $295 administrative fee.
• Cancellations made between July 2 and September 11, 2026, receive a 50 percent refund.
• No refund is offered for cancellations made on or after September 12, 2026.
• A substitute attendee from the same organization can be swapped in at no extra charge, at any time.

Because these deadlines matter, attendees who are unsure about their travel plans should register a colleague as a backup rather than risk losing the full ticket price.

Agenda Overview

The agenda spans five days, and each day serves a different purpose. Below is a general outline based on the event structure.

Sunday, October 11, opens with early workshop sessions and registration. Attendees who want deep, hands-on training often arrive a day early for this stretch.

Monday, October 12, marks the formal start of the main conference. Expect opening keynotes, the first wave of breakout sessions, and access to the exhibitor floor.

Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, form the core of the conference. These two days are packed with keynotes, panel discussions, summit tracks, and tech theater presentations from sponsors. Topics typically include artificial intelligence risk, cloud security, third-party risk, governance, and workforce development.

Thursday, October 15, wraps things up with post-event workshops. These sessions tend to be smaller and more focused, giving attendees a chance to practice specific skills before heading home.

Session formats vary throughout the week. You will find keynote addresses, panel discussions, quick-hit talks, masterclasses, and dedicated summit tracks on subjects such as artificial intelligence, governance, risk, compliance, and infrastructure defense. Workshop participation usually requires an extra fee, though some are included with the higher-tier passes.

Speakers and Keynotes

Recent editions of this conference have featured a mix of security executives, government veterans, and subject-matter experts. Past keynote speakers have included well-known cybersecurity authorities alongside voices from unexpected fields, such as medicine and military leadership. For example, one keynote at the 2026 edition explores human performance and decision-making under pressure, drawing lessons from emergency medicine and applying them to security teams.

Speakers generally come from a wide range of backgrounds, including chief information security officers from major corporations, retired military cyber leaders, consultants, and researchers. Sessions are grouped into thematic tracks, so attendees can follow a path that matches their role, whether that means artificial intelligence, leadership, compliance, or hands-on technical defense.

Because the speaker list is updated regularly as the event approaches, attendees should check the official agenda page closer to October for the most current lineup and session times.

Who Should Attend

This event suits a broad audience within the security field. However, it tends to be most valuable for the following groups.

• Chief information security officers and other senior security leaders
• IT and security directors responsible for budget and strategy
• Security analysts and engineers seeking practical, hands-on training
• Compliance and risk management professionals
• Vendors and consultants looking to network with potential clients

Even so, newcomers to the field can benefit as well, particularly from foundational workshops and mentorship-style sessions.

What to Expect at the Expo

Alongside the sessions, the expo floor brings together vendors offering the latest security tools and services. Attendees can compare products, watch live demonstrations, and speak directly with engineers rather than sales teams alone. Tech theater presentations, sponsored by exhibitors, run throughout the main conference days and cover practical use cases such as AI-powered threat detection and third-party risk monitoring.

Networking is another major draw. Many attendees describe the hallway conversations and evening receptions as just as valuable as the formal sessions, since they offer a chance to trade real-world experiences with peers facing similar challenges.

Planning Your Trip

Orlando is a popular destination, and hotel rooms near the convention center can fill up quickly as the date approaches. Booking early is strongly recommended, particularly for attendees who want to stay directly at the host venue. Additionally, Orlando International Airport offers frequent flights from most major cities, which makes travel logistics fairly straightforward.

Attendees should also plan around the Florida climate. October in Orlando tends to be warm and humid, with occasional afternoon showers, so packing light layers and a compact umbrella is a sensible choice.

Tips for First-Time Attendees

Preparing ahead of time can make the week far more productive. Consider the following steps before you arrive.

• Review the agenda in advance and mark sessions that align with your role.
• Register for popular workshops early, since seats are often limited.
• Bring business cards for networking on the expo floor and at evening events.
• Charge devices and pack a portable battery, since the venue is large and sessions run back-to-back.
• Set aside time between sessions to visit the expo floor and speak with exhibitors directly.

Conclusion

This Orlando gathering brings together thousands of security professionals for five days of learning, networking, and hands-on training. Running from October 11 through October 15, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, the event offers multiple pass types to suit different budgets, along with team discounts for larger organizations. The agenda blends keynotes, workshops, and summit tracks covering artificial intelligence, governance, cloud security, and leadership. Whether you are a seasoned chief information security officer or a newcomer building your skills, careful planning around tickets, travel, and session selection will help you get the most out of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the exact dates for the 2026 conference?

The main conference runs from October 12 to October 14, 2026. Pre-event workshops take place on October 11 and 12, while post-event workshops close the week on October 15.

Where is the event being held?

It takes place at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

How much do tickets cost?

Prices range from $895 for an expo-only pass up to $4,195 for the All Access Pass. Discounted rates are available for verified government, non-profit, and education employees.

Is there a discount for registering as a group?

Yes. Groups of three or more from the same organization can save between 10 and 20 percent, depending on group size, using a valid discount code.

What is the refund policy if I need to cancel?

Cancellations made before July 1, 2026, receive a full refund minus a $295 fee. Refunds drop to 50 percent between July 2 and September 11, 2026, and no refunds are given after September 12, 2026.

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