Top Cybersecurity Conferences to Attend in H2 2025

As we move further into 2025, H2 planning is in full swing. If industry conferences  aren't already part of that plan, now's the time to reconsider. Professional meetups offer a great way to stay up-to-date and plugged into evolving market trends and strategies.

But given that there are literally hundreds of options every year, it can be difficult to pick the top cybersecurity events for your specific purposes. From specialized seminars to massive meet-ups, the lineup of cybersecurity events for the second half of this year is sure to cover a lot of ground – both metaphorically and literally.

Participate with Purpose and Perspective

Attending a cybersecurity conference is a valuable investment — but only if you approach it with a clear strategy.

To ensure you get the most out of your time (and money), be sure to:

• Define your goals
• Plan your conference itinerary with that goal in mind

If your primary objective is to explore new technologies and stay ahead of emerging threats, choose an event with a relevant agenda — featuring insights from established leaders and success stories, while showcasing cutting-edge solutions .

If networking is your priority, look for conferences known for attracting key industry figures, providing structured networking sessions, and fostering meaningful connections.

For those focused on skill development, technical workshops, hands-on labs, and CTF challenges offer far greater value than an event filled with high-level keynotes and panel discussions.

On the other hand, if business development or vendor evaluation is your goal, ensure the conference includes the right mix of vendors, security decision-makers, and potential partners to make your time worthwhile.

If you're looking for a combination of these aspects, find an event that balances learning, networking, and engagement in a way that aligns with your needs.

To get the most bang for your buck, it’s important to create a rough plan for how you intend to spend each day of the conference. Make note of any speakers you want to hear from, any people you want to (re)connect with, any workshops you want to attend, any technology vendors you want to evaluate, any possible partners you want to pitch, etc.

A well-structured plan ensures you leave the event with actionable insights, valuable connections, and a clear return on your investment.

With that in mind, here’s our curated list of the top cybersecurity events and conferences to attend in H2 2025.

Professionals from finance, healthcare, government, and technology gather at the Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit to fortify their organizations against emerging threats. For 2025, the theme of Gartner's summit is "Engage. Innovate. Lead."

This event is always among the top cybersecurity conferences due to Gartner's prominent position as a leading research and advisory firm, providing in-depth insights on cybersecurity technologies and trends. It offers actionable insights into the challenges of increasingly complex cyber environments, from cybersecurity strategy and innovation to leadership, risk management, data management, AI, and beyond. 

This year's roster of speakers is one of the best I've seen, and includes:

• Evy Poumpouras, security expert, former Secret Service Special Agent & Interrogator, and Co-Host of Bravo's "Spy Games"
• Adam Grant, leadership consultant and best-selling author of the widely-praised Think Again, which challenges readers to rethink and question their assumptions
• Leslie Stevens, Chief Privacy Officer at Agilent

Around 3,000 professionals are expected to attend, and will enjoy discussions with Gartner analysts, in-depth technical sessions, hands-on workshops, and real-world case studies. Attendees will also get to explore cutting-edge technologies in threat intelligence, endpoint security, and automation at the dynamic vendor showcase.

If you're planning on going, be sure to reserve some time with GYTPOL. We'd love to show you what we've been working on!

Early bird pricing (available until April 11^th) starts at $4,325.
Late registration will run $4,750.

Public sector entities may be eligible for further discounts. 

Black Hat is a mega-event, attracting tens of thousands of cybersecurity professionals, white hat hackers (ironic, we know), and researchers from across the globe.

This event is known for its unparalleled technical depth, where experts dive deep into cybersecurity research, emerging threats, and attack methodologies. 

The vendor showcase is a hotspot for discovering cutting-edge security products and solutions, allowing professionals to see the latest innovations and connect directly with leading companies in the cybersecurity space. Sponsors include industry leaders like CISCO, CrowdStrike, Wiz, and SentinelOne.

The Black Hat Briefings, established 28 years ago, provide computer security professionals a place to learn the very latest in information security risks, research, and trends. 

For those seeking hands-on experience, Black Hat offers practical training in areas like ethical hacking, cloud security, and vulnerability research. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with over 100 expert-led sessions covering everything from advanced penetration testing techniques and malware reverse engineering to cryptography and risk management. 2025 speakers include Jeff Moss, Founder of Black Hat and DEF CON, and Rob Duhart, SVP/CISO of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

If you're interested in connecting with a representative from the industry's top configuration security vendor, drop us a line ;)

Early bird (available until May 23^rd) in-person admission starts at $2,699.
Late registration starts at $2,899 and continues to increase up to $3,399 for tickets purchased the week of the event.

Early bird (available until May 23^rd) on-demand admission starts at $1,299.
Late registration for on-demand access starts at $1,499 and continues to increase as the event nears. It is not available for purchase after August 7^th.

A renowned hackers convention, DEF CON is a great place to learn and have fun. Less geared to networking and vendor selection than other events on this list, DEF CON is a decidedly less corporate affair. But it manages to kick the cool factor in high gear and is a great place to pick up tricks of the trade.

Each year it draws some 25,000-30,000 security researchers, good guy hackers, government officials, and tech enthusiasts from around the globe.

The event spotlights hacker culture, cybersecurity, and digital freedom — providing a unique forum for professionals and amateurs alike to share insights, discuss emerging threats, and explore innovative security solutions. This year's theme is "Access Everywhere." In their words, "Less walled gardens, more sunlight."

The convention features an exciting mix of hands-on workshops, technical presentations, and competitive events, including capture the flag (CTF) challenges and lock picking contests. With its informal, community-driven atmosphere, DEF CON embraces an authentic hacker culture with unconventional talks, art exhibits,  underground discussions, and special interest "villages" for community conversation around topics like IoT, crypto, and biohacking.

The event also includes DEF CON Training options, offering dozens of courses and 4-day trainings from world class cyber leaders. 

If you have a chance to go, go. There is really nothing else like it. And while you're there, please grab the first GYTPOLster you see and let them know you're a reader!

Early bird pricing (available until May 23^rd) starts at $540.
Regular pricing is $560.

Named after their Falcon platform, FalCon is put together by CrowdStrike, with the "con" doubling in reference to the convention.  There are multiple Fal.Con events throughout the year, with different industry and geographical focuses. Here we're featuring the Fall event in Las Vegas, which brings together around 6,000 security professionals, executives, and thought leaders.

Fal.Con emphasizes real-world use cases, leveraging CrowdStrike’s extensive threat research to provide actionable security insights. Pre-conference training from CrowdStrike University offers intensive, instructor-led courses, while strategy roadmaps dive deeper into best practices.

During the conference, attendees can tailor the experience to their specific tastes, identifying the keynotes, workshops, and breakout sessions that most closely align with their interests — whether they be about endpoint protection, threat intelligence, incident response, or whatever else. 

GYTPOL, will be showcasing our configuration security assurance solution at our booth. If you plan on attending, please stop by to say hello.

Finally, Fal.Con is notable for it's exceptional networking opportunities, including the very highly-regarded Fal.Con Fest, mixers, and after-hours events.

Tickets are not yet available for purchase though past years saw admission rates starting at $995.

Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

The International Cyber Expo attracts professionals from around the world to explore the latest innovations and strategies in digital security. Last year, the event featured over 7,500 visitors from over 90 countries and 200 exhibitors, facilitating valuable networking opportunities across diverse economic sectors, such as finance, healthcare, government, and energy.

The International Cyber Expo aims to create a vibrant professional learning ecosystem, with a mix of exhibitions, thought leadership sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. Experts share insights on hot topics ranging from ransomware prevention to threat profiling, risk management to cloud and critical infrastructure security, data protection, and cyber crisis management.

Past speakers have included the likes of Ian Andrews, Vice Chair at the National Preparedness Committee, and Fiona Bail, Detective Chief Inspector, National Cyber PATH Lead, National Cyber Resilience Centre Group.

Meanwhile, the Tech Hub Stage is another opportunity to explore a wide range of cyber topics such as AI, security operations, and fostering a secure workplace culture. Interactive experiences like the CrisisCast Immersive Demonstrator and the Cyber Escape Room offer a unique, hands-on approach to tackling real-world cyber threats.

The Government Zone provides a platform for high-level discussions and future cybersecurity initiatives led by UK Government representatives. Additionally, the Community Village provides a pavilion for a variety of not-for-profit and charitable organizations to showcase their initiatives and amplify their impact.

Admission is free, but registration has not yet opened.

Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

it-sa Expo & Congress is Europe's largest exhibition for IT security, bringing together providers, cybersecurity experts, distributors, and start-ups. Last year, it-sa welcomed 897 exhibitors from 28 countries and 25,830 trade visitors from 65 countries, and 2025 is anticipated to be another record-breaking year.

The conference showcases cutting-edge solutions and address the challenges of protecting critical assets, with workshops covering all manners of cybersecurity (networks, endpoint, cloud, etc.). Sponsors include TeleTrusT, OWASP, and CISO Alliance.

2024's visitors boasted 400 different presentations covering regulatory developments, industry trends, and technical advancements. A highlight was a special keynote by Peter Hacker, an expert in digital transformation, cybercrime, and cybersecurity. His keynote, "Quo Vadis Cyber Risks?" underscored the urgency of making IT security a C-suite priority, an approach currently adopted by only 4% of companies in German-speaking regions.

The event also saw high-profile engagements, including an official reception hosted by Bavarian Minister Albert Füracker, with top cybersecurity officials from Germany and the EU. Additionally, a working meeting between the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) fostered collaboration among key cybersecurity representatives across Europe.

While the 2025 program is yet to be announced, the event is expected to set new benchmarks in networking, knowledge-sharing, and expert discussions. Be sure to add this to your list if you're looking to engage with Europe's industry leaders.

Tickets are not yet available for purchase.
Though past years saw admission rates starting at €59 ($65).

AWS re:Invent is AWS' flagship annual conference, focusing on the latest developments across the AWS ecosystem, welcoming nearly 60,000 attendees in 2024. The event brings together a global community of tech leaders, developers, and cloud professionals eager to dive into the latest AWS innovations. (Insider's tip: check out re:Invent's sister event, AWS re: Inforce, is you're looking for a conference devoted specifically to all things AWS cloud security; this year, it's taking place on June 16-18 in Philly).

AWS re:Invent's 2025 agenda is still being fine-tuned, but if 2024's lineup is any indication, you are in for a treat. Last year, Swami Sivasubramanian, AWS’s VP of Data and AI, spoke about AI and its implications.

Max Peterson, Vice President of Sovereign Cloud at AWS, discussed the moving target of digital sovereignty. Meanwhile, Gabe Chiulli and Christopher Watts from the U.S. Army took us behind the scenes of the military's use of AWS Wickr for secure communications, highlighting a real-world example of cloud tech in action. 

You can also expect breakout sessions, hands-on labs, training, and certification opportunities, together with networking events. And with event sponsors like CrowdStrike, Datadog, Palo Alto, and GYTPOL, you can be sure to explore the tech that’s transforming industries.

Get ready for big announcements and plenty of success stories and best practices.

Tickets will go on sale in the summer of 2025.

Virtual passes are expected to be free.
Full conference passes will likely cost $2,099.

Sign up here to be notified when registration opens.

Each year, the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC), a global organization dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, hosts events worldwide. It brings together industry professionals to address emerging threats, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions.

The 2025 summit in California is expected to draw between 500 and 1,000 participants, offering a valuable platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth.

This year's theme is "Mission Driven" and the keynote speaker will be Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. With a distinguished career as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy, Montgomery brings deep expertise in national security and cyber strategy.

A standout feature of the summit is an open call for papers, beginning May 22, inviting industry experts to submit presentations that address pressing cybersecurity challenges and propose innovative solutions.

While the full event agenda will be released closer to the date, attendees can look forward to a diverse lineup of expert-led sessions and interactive workshops designed to tackle the most critical issues in healthcare cybersecurity.

Member admission starts at $99 for early registration.
Non-member admission starts at $695.

The Year Ahead

Each event is focused on a different realm within the wide world of cyber and serves different professional advancement objectives. Rather than schlepping yourself around the globe and enduring hours of airplane agony only to find you’ve wasted your time and your company's budget, it’s best to research the conference beforehand and seek out honest feedback from past attendees.

We hope this list of top cybersecurity conferences helps you set your sights high, embrace new opportunities, and take part in shaping the future of cybersecurity.

As a prerequisite to registering, make sure you have a clear idea of what your event objective is and plot out a few specific ways that you can meet or draw nearer to that goal. Having that clear-eyed view of your what and your how will help you make the most of the experience. Happy hunting!