Training Description
- Focuses on advancing active defense and deception in cybersecurity
- Bridges theory and practice through interdisciplinary collaboration
- Addresses challenges in measuring and implementing active defense
- Features real-world case studies and industry experiences
- Targets cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and students
The 5th Workshop on Active Defense and Deception (AD&D) is a specialized event dedicated to the progression of active defense strategies within the cybersecurity sector. Scheduled for September 18, 2026, in Rome, Italy, and co-located with the 31st European Symposium on Research in Computer Security (ESORICS), this workshop brings together experts from academia and industry to foster innovation and practical adoption of proactive security measures.
Advancing Active Defense in Cybersecurity
The workshop emphasizes the importance of moving beyond traditional, passive security approaches. Attendees will explore advanced methods such as moving target defense, dynamic and run-time defenses, and deception techniques. These strategies are designed to detect, disrupt, and counteract sophisticated, multi-stage cyberattacks, reflecting an assume breach mentality that is increasingly vital in today’s threat landscape.
By promoting proactive engagement with adversaries, the event encourages the adoption of innovative defense mechanisms that adapt to evolving threats. The workshop also highlights the need for automation, monitoring, and containment strategies to enhance organizational resilience.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Research
A key objective of the workshop is to bridge gaps between theoretical research and practical application. The event fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on fields such as information security, cognitive science, and psychology to better understand attacker motivations and behaviors.
Sessions will address the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of active defense, overcoming implementation barriers, and leveraging behavioral analysis to inform defense strategies. Real-world case studies and industry experiences will provide valuable insights into the practical deployment of these techniques.
Engaging the Cybersecurity Community
The workshop is designed for a diverse audience, including security engineers, CISOs, incident responders, academic researchers, and graduate students. It offers a platform for knowledge exchange, thought leadership, and networking, with opportunities for student participation through scholarships.
By focusing on education and community building, the event aims to accelerate the adoption of active defense and deception, ultimately strengthening the cybersecurity ecosystem.