Training Description
Key Takeaways
- Academic workshop focused on empirical research in cybercrime and attacker operations
- Emphasizes scientific, evidence-based approaches to understanding cyber-offender activities
- Encourages multidisciplinary contributions from computer science, criminology, psychology, law, and economics
- Promotes open science, transparency in peer review, and ethical research practices
- Designed for researchers, industry professionals, and government experts in cybersecurity and related fields
The 8th Workshop on Attackers and Cyber-Crime Operations (WACCO 2026) is a leading academic event dedicated to advancing the empirical study of cybercriminal activities and attacker operations. This workshop brings together experts from diverse disciplines to foster the development of new methods and technologies for analyzing and quantifying cyber-offender operations. By focusing on evidence-based research, WACCO aims to support the creation of effective strategies and policies to counter evolving cyber threats.
Workshop Focus and Themes
WACCO 2026 centers on the empirical analysis of cybercrime, with a strong emphasis on understanding attacker capabilities, resources, and operational methods. The workshop covers a broad range of topics, including malware engineering, attack delivery, underground operations, disinformation campaigns, and cyber-terrorism. Participants are encouraged to explore both quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluating cyber-offender behavior.
Key themes include large-scale attacker measurement, attacker skill sets, operational security, cybercrime networks, and the economics of cybercrime. The event also addresses the measurement of security incidents, security patch effectiveness, and the use of open source intelligence (OSINT) in cybercrime research. These topics are critical for developing robust attacker models and effective countermeasures.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Audience
The workshop actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, inviting contributions from computer science, criminology, psychology, law, and economics. This approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of cybercrime and attacker operations, integrating technical, behavioral, and policy perspectives.
WACCO 2026 is tailored for academic researchers, industry professionals, and government experts. Attendees typically include security researchers, data scientists, policy makers, law enforcement officials, and academics at various career stages. The event provides a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and the formation of new partnerships within the cybersecurity community.
Event Format and Experience
This in-person workshop is co-located with the IEEE European Symposium on Security and Privacy (EuroS&P 2026), offering participants access to a broader academic and professional audience. The program features paper presentations, research talks, panel discussions, and poster sessions, all designed to facilitate the sharing of cutting-edge research and best practices.
WACCO 2026 maintains a strong commitment to open science, transparent peer review, and ethical research standards. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, the workshop supports the advancement of empirical methods and the development of innovative solutions to the challenges posed by cybercrime and attacker operations.