Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Single-day conference on October 8, 2026, at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, focused on cybersecurity workforce development and diversity
- Theme “Creative Cyber: Amplified Intelligence” examines the intersection of human judgment and AI in cyber defense
- Sessions address AI-driven cyber operations, quantum computing risks, workforce burnout, online child safety and executive governance
- Speakers include Rob Joyce (former NSA Director of Cybersecurity), Alexis Bonnell (OpenAI), Kiersten Todt (Mastercard) and Leslie Kershaw (CISO, IonQ)
- Includes RISE Inclusive Mentoring Program graduation and scholarships for professionals in career transition
About the Event
Uniting Women in Cyber (UWIC) 2026 is an in-person conference organized by The Cyber Guild Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The event brings together cybersecurity professionals, government personnel, students and executives for keynotes, panels, interactive sessions and networking. The 2026 edition carries the theme “Creative Cyber: Amplified Intelligence,” exploring how human ingenuity and artificial intelligence can work together to address emerging cyber threats.
The conference includes a scholarship program offering complimentary access to public servants transitioning to industry roles and individuals facing financial difficulty. A graduation ceremony recognizes participants completing the RISE Inclusive Mentoring Program.
AI and Cyber Defense Coordination
A global panel titled “When AI Operates at Machine Scale” examines how governments, industry and critical infrastructure operators can coordinate defense as AI accelerates the speed of cyber operations. Panelists include Rob Joyce (former NSA Director of Cybersecurity), Annie Fixler (Foundation for Defense of Democracies), Annie Plews (UK Embassy cyber policy lead) and Naveed Ihsanullah (CTO, Known). A separate session, “Human in the Lead,” addresses the skills and mindsets that differentiate talent when technical expertise alone is insufficient, featuring Alexis Bonnell (OpenAI), Camille Stewart Gloster (CAS Strategies) and Cydney Stude (AWS).
Quantum Computing and Emerging Risks
The session “Quantum + AI: The Cybersecurity Disruption No One Is Ready For” explores how quantum computing and AI may converge to create new vulnerabilities. Speakers include Leslie Kershaw (CISO, IonQ), Burt Kaliski (Senior VP and CTO, Verisign), Kathryn Wang (SandboxAQ) and Eugenia Lostri (Google). The discussion focuses on risks organizations should prepare for today and where they remain most exposed to rapid technological change.
Workforce Development and Resilience
An interactive session called “Unscripted Talent” invites attendees to identify workforce challenges and emerging needs, with panelists from SANS Institute, George Washington University and Safe Security responding in real time. A separate resilience workshop addresses burnout in cybersecurity, exploring how organizations can better support well-being through intentional design rather than individual endurance.
Online Safety and Executive Governance
A fireside chat on “Parenting in the Digital Age” addresses cybersecurity, privacy and online safety challenges facing children, including digital footprints and algorithm-driven platforms. Speakers include Cynthia Kaiser (Halcyon) and Steven Bullitt (Listcrime). A C-suite discussion examines governance when AI moves faster than traditional decision-making, featuring Kristie Grinnell (CIO, TD SYNNEX), Katherine Kuehn (World Wide Technology) and Kiersten Todt (Mastercard).
Who Should Attend
UWIC targets cybersecurity professionals at all career stages, including CISOs, CTOs, security engineers, analysts, policy leaders, recruiters, educators and students. Government personnel and active duty military are represented, with 2025 attendance comprising 17% U.S. government and 11% active duty or veterans. The event emphasizes inclusion, with 69% women attendees and 36% ethnic diversity reported in 2025. Organizations represented span technology companies, government agencies, critical infrastructure operators and educational institutions.