Cybersecurity remains a top priority for chief information security officers (CISOs) worldwide, but it’s easy to get out of touch as the industry evolves at breakneck speed and attackers discover new and innovative ways to compromise corporate networks. That’s why it’s worth investing in cybersecurity conference trips to help IT professionals stay up-to-date by networking with vendors, thought leaders and colleagues.

Top Cybersecurity Conference Trips You Should Book in 2019

Not sure where to distribute your IT budgets for ideal returns? Here’s a roundup of some of the top cybersecurity conferences happening this year.

Cybertech Israel

Cybertech Israel will once again descend on Tel Aviv from Jan. 28-30. One of the premier B2B networking conferences for security professionals, Cybertech offers both a major exhibition and full conference schedule over the course of three days. This year, speakers will include Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, Professor Dieter Kempf, president of the Federation of German Industries, and Dr. Sridhar Muppidi, IBM fellow and chief technology officer at IBM Security.

HIMSS 2019

Up next for the new year is HIMSS19, which will take place from Feb. 11–15 in Orlando, Florida. This year’s theme, “Champions of Health Unite,” will bring together insights from trailblazers, game-changers and strategizers to help health IT professionals set the stage for a secure and successful 2019. Topics will range from privacy and telehealth to care culture and clinician engagement. Given the critical role of technology in delivering and empowering health services, HIMSS19 promises to be a great starting point for this year’s conference lineup in the U.S.

Think 2019

IBM Think 2019, happening Feb. 12–15, is making the move this year to San Francisco. With more than 160 security-focused sessions across the conference’s dedicated Security and Resiliency Campus, there’s something for everyone. Key offerings include sessions on making security relevant to the C-suite, understanding the value of collaborative defense and transforming the role of incident response (IR) with new technologies such as IBM’s Watson.

View the Think 2019 security and resiliency curriculum roadmap

RSA Conference

One of the industry’s biggest annual conferences, RSAC is also held in San Francisco and will run from March 4–8. This year’s theme is “Better” — building better solutions, creating better connections and developing better responses. From securing robot-designed code to measuring data breach impacts and examining the value of human risk management, this massive conference (40,000+ attendees) always delivers value.

Cyphercon 4.0

Demonstrating that bigger isn’t always better, Cyphercon 4.0 will be held in Milwaukee from April 11–12. This cryptography and information security-focused offering strives to create an informal, welcoming environment that offers benefits for experts and beginners alike. All session abstracts are reviewed without speaker names attached, ensuring that only high-quality (not merely high-profile) presentations make the cut.

40th IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy

With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) now in full effect and privacy legislation a top priority for many countries, enterprises would be well served by any cybersecurity conference that tackles this increasingly complex field. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)’s 40th symposium will take place in San Francisco from May 20–22 and wil lbring together some of the industry’s leading researchers and practitioners to help organizations evaluate their current privacy policies and prepare for the next generation of personal data defense.

Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit

Happening in National Harbor, Maryland, from June 17–20, Gartner’s yearly conference includes sessions about emerging information security priorities such as machine learning, analytics and blockchain. More generally, the conference tackles the critical need to make security and risk top organizational priorities by offering a combination of meaningful networks, expert guidance and real-world scenarios.

Black Hat

One of two premier hacker conferences taking place in Las Vegas each summer — DEF CON is the other — Black Hat is more formal and also one of the most popular conferences every year. This year, the conference will be held from Aug. 3–8. Topics are wide-ranging; last year’s event examined the potential of voting machine compromise, and in 2015, researchers hacked a moving Jeep.

BSides Las Vegas

BSides Las Vegas (BSidesLV), scheduled for Aug. 6–7 in Las Vegas, will celebrate its 10th year in 2019 and offers the benefit of small-group participation for all who attend. Walk-in passes are no longer available, but individuals staying a minimum of three nights at the Tuscany Suites on the BSidesLV room block will receive passes. Those who donate, sponsor, volunteer or speak at BSidesLV are also assured entrance. Check out their registration FAQs for more details.

GrrCon

Rounding out the year is the more informal GrrCon, scheduled for Oct. 24–25 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This conference is small — just 1,500 attendees — and focuses on creating a fun atmosphere where executives, security professionals, students and hackers can exchange ideas and uncover new insights.

Start the Year Off Strong

Less than 24 hours after the ball dropped in Times Square, this year saw its first data breach: As reported by CBR Online, more than 30,000 Australian civil servants had their data stolen. It’s a bellwether for 2019 — a not-so-subtle sign that threat actors will continue to compromise corporate data to leverage or generate profit. More importantly, it’s a reminder to start the year off strong — to revisit existing security polices, design more holistic defenses and make time for the best cybersecurity conference offerings of 2019.