Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Virtual summit on October 6 and 7, 2026, for information security professionals across University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges.
- Sessions address AI-driven threats, deepfake scams, digital identity protection, and privacy and security laws.
- Speakers include educators, practitioners, and thought leaders covering topics from fraud targeting older adults to cybersecurity strategies for large-scale events.
- Designed for CISOs, security analysts, IT managers, compliance officers, and digital risk managers in higher education.
About the Event
The UC Cybersecurity Summit 2026, themed “Resilient Together,” brings together information security professionals from California’s public higher education systems for two days of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. The virtual format makes the event accessible to staff across the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, and invited guests.
The programme features keynote presentations, expert-led sessions, and panel discussions. Speakers include leading educators, practitioners, and thought leaders addressing current challenges in institutional cybersecurity.
AI Threats and Digital Identity
A significant portion of the summit focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Sessions examine AI-driven threats, deepfake technology, and AI-based scams that increasingly target educational institutions. Digital identity protection features prominently, reflecting the challenge of securing credentials and personal data across large, distributed university networks.
Privacy, Fraud, and Large-Scale Event Security
The summit addresses privacy and security laws relevant to higher education, providing context for compliance officers and governance leaders navigating regulatory requirements. Fraud targeting older adults receives dedicated attention, acknowledging the vulnerability of certain populations within university communities.
Sessions also explore cybersecurity strategies for large-scale events, using examples such as the Olympics to illustrate how institutions can prepare for high-profile situations that attract increased threat activity.
Who Should Attend
The summit serves information security professionals, IT staff, risk managers, compliance officers, and digital governance leaders working in higher education. Relevant roles include CISOs, security analysts, IT managers, and digital risk managers. The event is particularly suited to those responsible for defending large institutional networks and developing cybersecurity policy within public sector education.