Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Focuses on cybersecurity challenges arising from autonomous systems and emerging technologies
- Brings together government, academic, and industry leaders including speakers from the National Security Agency and U.S. Congress
- Addresses the intersection of technical security, legal frameworks, and public policy
- Designed for cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, legal experts, military personnel, and researchers
- Hosted by Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering in partnership with Duke Law and the Duke School of Public Policy
Introduction
The Cybersecurity at Duke Conference 2026 convenes cybersecurity practitioners, government officials, legal experts, and academic researchers to examine security challenges posed by autonomous systems. Themed “Cybersecurity in the Age of Autonomy,” the conference addresses a critical inflection point as autonomous technologies proliferate across defence, critical infrastructure, and commercial applications. The rapid deployment of systems capable of independent decision-making introduces novel attack surfaces and complicates traditional security models, making cross-disciplinary dialogue between technologists and policymakers increasingly urgent.
About This Event
Taking place on 18 September 2026 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, this in-person conference is organised by Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering and the Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity programme. The event benefits from partnerships with Duke Law, the Duke CISO Executive Certificate Program, and the Duke School of Public Policy, reflecting its multidisciplinary approach to cybersecurity challenges.
The programme structure combines keynote addresses with parallel breakout sessions divided into technical and management tracks. This format allows attendees to engage with content appropriate to their professional focus while networking opportunities facilitate connections across disciplines.
Securing Autonomous Systems: Technical and Policy Dimensions
Autonomous systems present security challenges that differ fundamentally from traditional computing environments. When systems operate with reduced human oversight, the consequences of compromise extend beyond data theft to potentially dangerous physical actions. Securing these systems requires addressing machine learning model integrity, sensor spoofing vulnerabilities, and the challenge of maintaining security across complex supply chains.
The conference programme reflects this complexity by examining both technical countermeasures and the regulatory frameworks needed to govern autonomous technologies. Speakers from the National Security Agency and U.S. Congress indicate substantive engagement with how federal policy and national security strategy are adapting to these emerging threats. Military leadership participation suggests discussion of autonomous systems in defence contexts, where the stakes of security failures are particularly acute.
Bridging Technical Expertise and Policy Development
One persistent challenge in cybersecurity governance is the gap between those who understand technical vulnerabilities and those who craft regulatory responses. Autonomous systems amplify this challenge because their behaviour can be difficult to predict and explain, complicating efforts to establish accountability frameworks and compliance requirements.
The conference’s institutional partnerships position it to address this gap directly. Duke Law’s involvement brings legal scholarship on liability, intellectual property, and regulatory design, while the School of Public Policy contributes expertise in how government agencies translate security concerns into actionable requirements. For practitioners navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, understanding how policy develops can be as valuable as technical knowledge.
Who Should Attend
The conference serves professionals working at the intersection of cybersecurity and autonomous technologies. Chief Information Security Officers and security engineers will find technical content relevant to emerging threat models, while policy advisors and legal counsel can engage with regulatory developments affecting their organisations. Government officials and military personnel involved in autonomous systems procurement or oversight will benefit from both technical briefings and policy discussions.
Academic researchers and graduate students studying cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or technology policy will find the conference valuable for understanding how theoretical concerns translate into operational challenges. The event’s emphasis on collaboration between sectors makes it particularly relevant for those whose work spans traditional disciplinary boundaries.
The Growing Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration
As autonomous systems become embedded in critical infrastructure and national security applications, no single sector possesses the expertise to address all relevant security concerns. Technical innovation outpaces regulatory development, while policy decisions made without adequate technical input risk being ineffective or counterproductive. Events that bring together diverse stakeholders serve an important function in building the shared understanding necessary for effective security governance.
The Cybersecurity at Duke Conference 2026 positions itself as a forum for this essential dialogue, offering participants the opportunity to engage with perspectives beyond their immediate professional context while addressing one of the more consequential security challenges of the current technological moment.