CYBERWARCON 2026 is set to bring together some of the sharpest minds in cyber threat intelligence on November 20, 2026. The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. It is one of the most respected one-day cyber threat conferences in the world. Professionals from government, the military, academia, the media, and the private sector gather each year to exchange critical insights. This guide covers everything you need to know before attending.
What Is CYBERWARCON?
CYBERWARCON is not a traditional hacking conference. It is not an industrial control systems event either. Instead, its central purpose is to identify and examine cyber threats at a national and global scale. The focus sits squarely on destruction, disruption, and malicious influence carried out through digital means.
Since its founding in 2018, the event has grown into a vital meeting point for threat hunters, intelligence analysts, policy researchers, and journalists. Each year, speakers bring forward research that rarely surfaces in mainstream settings. The content is dense, specific, and directly relevant to real-world threat landscapes.
Additionally, CYBERWARCON maintains a strong commitment to drawing presenters from across sectors. You will find researchers from major tech firms sitting alongside government officials and academic scholars. This diversity of perspective is one of its defining qualities.
CYBERWARCON 2026 Event Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | CYBERWARCON 2026 |
| Date | November 20, 2026 |
| Format | One-day in-person and virtual |
| Venue | Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA |
| Location | 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Virginia, USA 22202 |
| Focus | State-sponsored cyber threats and influence operations |
| Audience | Military, government, media, academia, private sector |
| Registration | Open via official CYBERWARCON website |
This compact one-day format keeps the agenda focused and the energy high throughout the event. Sessions run back to back, leaving little time wasted.
Why CYBERWARCON 2026 Matters
The cyber threat environment has changed dramatically over recent years. Nation-state actors have become bolder. Influence operations have grown more sophisticated. Critical infrastructure faces risks that are more complex than ever. Therefore, CYBERWARCON 2026 arrives at an important time.
The conference gives attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from those who track these threats for a living. Many talks include unpublished research findings. Some presentations reveal new threat actor activity that has never been disclosed publicly before. This makes the event particularly valuable for intelligence professionals who need early awareness of emerging risks.
Furthermore, the Arlington, Virginia location places the event close to key defense and intelligence agencies in the Washington, D.C. area. This geographic proximity attracts a uniquely high concentration of senior government officials and defense contractors.
Key Topics at CYBERWARCON 2026
CYBERWARCON consistently covers a focused set of topics. The 2026 edition is expected to continue this tradition while also addressing new and evolving areas of concern.
State-Sponsored Cyber Operations
Every year, state-sponsored activity takes center stage. Researchers present findings on groups linked to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These talks examine specific tactics, techniques, and procedures used in real campaigns. Attendees gain firsthand insight into how these groups operate, what they target, and how they adapt after being exposed.
Influence Operations and Disinformation
Cyber capabilities are increasingly used to shape public opinion. CYBERWARCON explores how state actors fund and operate influence campaigns across social media platforms. These sessions look at how disinformation spreads, how it is detected, and what can be done about it. The research presented here often leads the broader conversation in this field.
Critical Infrastructure Threats
Power grids, water systems, financial networks, and telecommunications are all prime targets. Talks in this area examine real-world attacks on industrial systems. They also explore what defenders can do to reduce exposure. Researchers present case studies of past incidents and draw lessons that apply to future protection efforts.
Election Security
Election infrastructure remains a high-priority concern. CYBERWARCON regularly features sessions on how adversaries attempt to interfere with democratic processes. Security researchers and policy experts who work at the intersection of technology and governance deliver these sessions.
AI and Cyber Threats
Artificial intelligence is changing how threat actors operate. It is also changing how defenders respond. Sessions on this topic explore how attackers weaponize AI tools, how deepfakes influence campaigns, and how security teams use machine learning to detect threats quickly and at scale.
Attribution and Threat Intelligence
Attribution is one of the most difficult challenges in cybersecurity. CYBERWARCON speakers often walk through their attribution methodologies in detail. These sessions show how researchers link malware families to specific groups, track infrastructure over time, and build confidence in their assessments.
Expected Speaker Profiles at CYBERWARCON 2026
While the official speaker list for 2026 has not been fully released, CYBERWARCON traditionally features a strong lineup of seasoned experts. Past editions have included notable figures such as Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of Silverado Policy Accelerator and former CrowdStrike executive. Speakers from companies such as Microsoft, Mandiant, Google, and Recorded Future have also taken the stage in previous years.
Researchers who have spoken at CYBERWARCON in past editions typically hold senior roles in threat intelligence, government cybersecurity agencies, or academic institutions. Many are published authors in the field. Some work directly with law enforcement or national security agencies.
The speaker selection process is competitive. Proposals are reviewed based on the novelty of the research, the relevance of the topic, and the speaker’s ability to present complex findings clearly. This process ensures a high standard of content year after year.
CYBERWARCON 2026 Schedule Overview
CYBERWARCON is a single-day event, but it packs a great deal into those hours. Below is a general schedule based on the format the conference has followed in previous years.
| Time Slot | Session Type |
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration and Morning Networking |
| 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Opening Remarks |
| 9:15 AM – 10:30 AM | Keynote Session |
| 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Morning Talk Sessions |
| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch Break and Networking |
| 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM | Afternoon Talk Sessions |
| 3:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Short Break |
| 3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Panel Discussion and Closing Sessions |
| 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Evening Networking Reception |
The evening reception is a highlight for many attendees. It is a rare chance to speak directly with researchers and officials in a relaxed setting. Sponsors often host side gatherings around this time as well.
Registration Guide for CYBERWARCON 2026
Registration for CYBERWARCON is handled through the official conference website. Here is what you need to know before signing up.
Who Should Attend
CYBERWARCON is designed for professionals who work in or around cyber threat intelligence. This includes threat researchers, security analysts, government officials, journalists covering cybersecurity, academics, and policy specialists. It is not an introductory event. The content assumes a working familiarity with the field.
Ticket Types
CYBERWARCON typically offers both in-person and virtual attendance options. In-person seats are limited and tend to sell out well before the event. Virtual attendees receive access to a live stream of the sessions. Some years, recordings are made available to registered participants after the event.
Tips for Registration
- Register early, as in-person capacity fills up quickly
- Check the official website for early registration discounts
- Media professionals can apply for complimentary press credentials
- Government employees should check whether their agency has a group registration arrangement
Volunteer Opportunities
CYBERWARCON also accepts volunteer applications each year. Volunteers help with event logistics, registration desks, and session management. In exchange, they typically receive access to the conference at no cost. Applications open several weeks before the event.
CYBERWARCON 2026 Sponsors and Partners
Corporate sponsors play an important role in making CYBERWARCON possible. In past years, companies such as GreyNoise, urlscan.io, and a range of leading cybersecurity firms have supported the event. Sponsors often set up tables during the networking portions of the day, giving attendees a chance to learn about new tools and research platforms.
Sponsorship at CYBERWARCON is seen as a sign of commitment to the threat intelligence community. The event does not take on sponsors whose products conflict with its focus on research integrity and independence.
What Makes CYBERWARCON Different from Other Conferences
Many cybersecurity conferences cover a broad range of topics. CYBERWARCON does not. Its narrow focus on nation-state threats, influence operations, and critical infrastructure attacks is what sets it apart. This specificity attracts a very particular crowd and creates discussions that are hard to find anywhere else.
However, the event is also welcoming to those who are newer to the threat intelligence space, as long as they arrive prepared to engage with advanced material. The single-day format means there is no time to waste. Every session counts. The organizers chose every speaker because their research adds something meaningful to the conversation.
How to Prepare for CYBERWARCON 2026
Preparation makes a significant difference in how much value you take away from the event. Here are some practical steps to consider before November 20, 2026.
- Review recent public reports from major threat intelligence firms to refresh your knowledge of current state-sponsored activity
- Follow CYBERWARCON on social media for speaker announcements and schedule updates
- Arrive at the venue early to complete registration and secure a good seat for the opening session
- Bring business cards or a digital contact-sharing method for networking
- Download any available materials from the official site before the event begins
- Plan which sessions matter most to you so you can prioritize your time
Conclusion
CYBERWARCON 2026 on November 20, 2026, stands as one of the most focused and high-value cybersecurity events of the year. It brings together professionals from across sectors to examine the most serious cyber threats facing governments, institutions, and societies worldwide. From state-sponsored attack campaigns to influence operations and election security, the topics are urgent and the insights are actionable.
The event’s compact one-day format at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, keeps the content dense and the conversations meaningful. Whether you attend in person or virtually, CYBERWARCON offers a rare window into the work that experts conduct on the frontlines of global cyber threat intelligence. Register early because seats fill fast. If you work in this space, this is an event you should not miss.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is CYBERWARCON 2026?
CYBERWARCON 2026 will bring cybersecurity professionals together for a one-day conference on November 20, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. It focuses on state-sponsored cyber threats, influence operations, and critical infrastructure risks.
Where is CYBERWARCON 2026 taking place?
The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, located at 2799 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
Who should attend CYBERWARCON 2026?
The conference targets cyber threat intelligence professionals, government officials, military personnel, academics, journalists, and private-sector security researchers.
Is CYBERWARCON 2026 available virtually?
Organizers typically offer virtual attendance options alongside the in-person event, allowing remote participants to access live session streams.
How can I register for CYBERWARCON 2026?
Register through the official CYBERWARCON website. We strongly recommend registering early because the venue has limited in-person capacity and seats sell out quickly.
What topics are covered at CYBERWARCON 2026?
Core topics include state-sponsored cyber operations, influence and disinformation campaigns, critical infrastructure threats, election security, AI-enabled attacks, and cyber threat attribution.
Are there speaking opportunities at CYBERWARCON 2026?
CYBERWARCON accepts speaker proposals. Reviewers evaluate submissions based on research novelty, topic relevance, and presentation quality. Organizers announce deadlines on the official website.
Can journalists attend CYBERWARCON 2026?
Journalists covering cybersecurity can apply for media credentials, which typically provide complimentary access to the conference.
Are volunteer positions available at CYBERWARCON 2026?
Volunteer applications are accepted each year. In exchange for helping with event operations, volunteers generally receive free access to the conference.
Will session recordings be available after CYBERWARCON 2026?
Organizers have made recordings available to registered attendees after the event in past years. Check the official website for confirmation of this policy for the 2026 edition.
