When it comes to cybersecurity, the world can be a scary place. Tech insiders know October isn’t just about ghosts, ghouls, and pumpkin spice lattes—it’s also Cybersecurity Awareness Month! In the spirit of the season, we’re diving into the current state of cybersecurity, highlighting some frightening threats and the “treats” available at upcoming industry events to help us face them.
Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional or simply want to stay safe online, now is the perfect time to gear up and get informed.
Beware of Cyber Shadows
In the world of cybersecurity, the bad actors never rest. Here are some of the scariest trends creeping into the industry:
- AI-Powered Attacks
Let’s face it. AI is a game-changer for many industries—but it’s also becoming a powerful tool for cybercriminals. According to a 2024 TechRadar survey, 51% of IT professionals view AI-powered attacks, such as sophisticated phishing and deepfakes, as increasingly challenging to detect.1 Attackers use AI to create phishing emails and machine learning-based malware, making their strategies more difficult to detect. It’s like facing a cyber Frankenstein! - Ransomware Escalation
Ransomware is nothing new, but it’s evolving. More and more businesses are becoming targets of these attacks, with the stakes rising as hackers demand multi-million dollar ransoms. These attacks are now faster, more coordinated, and scarier than ever before, haunting companies of all sizes and everyday citizens. - IoT Vulnerabilities
From smart refrigerators to security cameras, the Internet of Things (IoT) is everywhere—and so are the vulnerabilities. With billions of connected devices, IoT is a playground for cyber attackers, and the weakest link could bring an entire system down. It’s like leaving your digital front door wide open. - Deepfakes
AI-generated video, audio, or image deepfakes are like digital masks for cybercriminals. Imagine getting a video from your boss telling you to transfer money—only it’s not your boss! These ultra-realistic fakes are used for fraud, phishing, and misinformation, leaving security teams spooked and scrambling to keep up. It’s a new twist on “seeing is believing,” except now, you can’t trust what you see (or hear).
Sweet Treats: Upcoming Cybersecurity Events
Now that we’ve covered the tricks to be aware of let’s talk about the treats! Here are some upcoming cybersecurity events where you can network with top cybersecurity minds, share real-world experiences, and check out the latest tech solutions. You’ll feel like you’re on safer ground while trick-or-treating for knowledge. You may walk away with a treasure trove of industry wisdom. Sweet!
- RSA Conference 2025
April 28-May 1202 | Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
One of the biggest names in the industry, it aims to bring together the world’s cybersecurity professionals to facilitate discussions and strategies about current and future concerns, ideas, and solutions that will help individuals and organizations succeed and grow securely and confidently. All those experts in-house should help take the fear out of cybersecurity. Learn more. - Black Hat USA 2025
August 2-7, 2025 | Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas
Founded in 1997, this is an internationally recognized cybersecurity event series where cutting-edge research meets hands-on training. It’s known for showcasing some of the most frightening vulnerabilities discovered by researchers. Most interestingly, hackers and security professionals alike gather to exchange ideas and showcase solutions. Think of it as Halloween for the cyber-savvy. Black hats and all! Learn more. - Cybersecurity & Cloud Expo: Enabling a Secure Future
June 4-5, 2025 | Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA
Cyber Security & Cloud Expo is a leading event for some of the scariest challenges and greatest innovations, including zero-day vigilance, threat detection, global cyber conflicts, generative AI, quantum computing, risk management, cloud transformation, hybrid cloud strategies, DevSecOps integration, and AI and ML in infrastructure. Learn more. - Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit
June 9-11, 2025 | National Harbor, MD
The Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit brings together thousands of cybersecurity executives to discuss key topics such as enhancing cybersecurity leadership, integrating AI into security roadmaps, and improving organizational resilience through advanced risk management strategies. Attendees can look forward to fresh insights, innovative solutions, and future-focused discussions that will shape the next steps in the cybersecurity industry. Learn more. - SANS Cybersecurity Leadership Summit
Various Dates | Global
SANS offers a series of events and summits for those in leadership roles to prepare you for the industry’s biggest challenges. The summit focuses on strategies for leading a secure enterprise, dealing with data breaches, and implementing effective security measures. It’s like getting a full-size candy bar when everyone else is handing out fun-sized. Learn more. - InfoSec World
TBA
InfoSec World is a leading cybersecurity conference for security practitioners and executives. Now in its 30th year, InfoSec World has been known as the “Business of Security” conference—featuring expert insights, enlightening keynotes, and interactive breakout sessions that inform, engage, and connect the infosec community. This event provides participants with tools and solutions to better prevent, detect, and respond to today’s scariest security challenges. Learn more. - DEF CON 33
August 7-10, 2025, | Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, Las Vegas, NV
If you want to embrace your inner hacker, DEF CON is the place to be. It’s a massive gathering of hackers, cybersecurity professionals, and tech enthusiasts. Whether you’re diving into lock-picking or watching a car get hacked live, DEF CON is always full of scary surprises. And let’s be honest—what’s more exciting than a little mischief mixed with learning? Learn more. - Cloud Specific Security Summits
For anyone managing cloud infrastructure, cloud-specific security summits are essential events for insights into best practices, emerging threats, and security innovations. These events provide attendees with in-depth strategies and tools to enhance cloud infrastructure security tailored to their respective platforms’ unique challenges and solutions. By attending cloud events like these, businesses can stay ahead in securing their cloud environments while integrating the latest advancements in AI, compliance, and risk management: - AWS re:Inforce 2025
June 16-18, 2025 | Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
Learn more - Google Cloud Security Summit 2025
TBA
Learn more - Microsoft Ignite 2024
November 19-22, 2024 | McCormick Place West Building | Chicago, IL
Learn more
Further Reading:
- From Data Lakes to Deepfakes: AI Security trends at Black Hat USA 2024
- RSA Conference 2024 Recap: Building Technology and Community for Better Security
- Cyber Resiliency and the New Security Paradigm
- Cyber Defense Magazine, Three key threats fueling the future of cyber attacks, April 2024
