WiCyS 2024
Women in CyberSecurity Annual Conference

Call for Proposals

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Conference Center
Nashville, TN, United States
April 11-13, 2024

Conference Website

https://www.wicys.org/events/wicys-2024/

Proposal Submission Opens

September 11, 2023

Proposal Submission Deadline

November 6, 2023; midnight PST

Notification of Status

December 18, 2023

At WiCyS, we are a community of women, men, non-binary, allies and advocates. Collectively, we work to fill the cybersecurity workforce shortage by amplifying our efforts to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. At the WiCyS conference, we strive for our speakers to represent the diversity of our community. 

Important Dates

Submissions Open: September 11, 2023

Submissions Close: November 6, 2023; midnight PST (Except student research posters, which is open until January 1, 2024; midnight PST)

Notification of Status: December 18, 2023 (Except student research posters, which will be notified on January 15, 2024)

List of Topics

The 2024 WiCyS annual conference will have five different tracks. CFP submissions can be anything within the five tracks that you feel would be valuable to WiCyS attendees.

  • Technical Skill Building - (technical skill development in all areas of cybersecurity)

  • Education & Workforce Development - (all levels of cybersecurity education and training programs)

  • Research & Innovation - (includes research, entrepreneurship, and trends in emerging technologies)

  • Career Advancement - (includes hiring, leadership, career development/growth, internships, apprenticeships)

  • Community EcoSystem & Outreach - (includes collaborations/partnerships and diversity, equality, inclusion & accessibility (DEIA) efforts) 

Submission Types, Guidelines & Formats

If you wish to submit a proposal but would like to view submission resources (tips, past submissions and mentoring opportunities) visit https://www.wicys.org/events/wicys-2024/call-for-participation.

Multiple proposals can be submitted in different categories and tracks. Submissions will be peer reviewed with speaker name, email and affiliation blinded. All accepted proposals will be notified by December 18, 2023.  All participants for accepted proposals will have access to early registration and lodging reservations.

Accepted proposals will receive:

BIRDS OF A FEATHER (BoaF) (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

  • Birds of a Feather (BoaF) are informal discussion sessions moderated by the facilitator on just about any topic related to cybersecurity that elicit participant discussions. The facilitator leads the discussion with active participation from the audience. These sessions can be a great way to share ideas and be introduced to current issues or trends in this area. BoaF sessions are 45 minutes long. A maximum of two listed facilitators.
    • First listed facilitator receives complimentary registration and does not receive complimentary lodging.
    • Second listed presenter does not receive complimentary registration or lodging; they receive early registration.

LIGHTNING TALKS (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

  • Lightning talks highlight fresh ideas, unique perspectives, valuable experiences and emerging trends in cybersecurity. Lightning Talks are five-minute talks (with or without formal presentations) that seek to jump-start discussion. A maximum of one listed presenter.
    • Listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive complimentary lodging.

PANELS (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

  • Panels provide opportunities to discuss a current relevant topic in cybersecurity. Panel submitters are responsible for selecting appropriate panelists to participate. In addition to the moderator, there can be up to 3 panelists and each panel is 45 minutes long. Submit all names and their affiliation info along with the abstract. A maximum of three panelists and one moderator listed.
    • Moderator receives complimentary registration and does not receive complimentary lodging.
    • Up to three panelists receive reduced rate conference registration ($250) and do not receive complimentary lodging.

PRESENTATIONS (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

  • Technical presentations highlight innovations, research & development projects, internships/co-ops experiences, service-learning and outreach projects, or other interesting experiences related to cybersecurity. This is an opportunity to share that experience with others and perhaps inspire them to pursue similar opportunities. Technical presentations are 45 minutes long, including time for Q&A. A maximum of two listed presenters.
    • First listed presenter receives complimentary registration and two nights complimentary lodging.
    • Second listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive complimentary lodging.

WORKSHOPS (SUBMISSIONS CLOSED)

  • Workshops are hands-on sessions (technical/professional development) on any topic related to cybersecurity. The audience can be students, educators, professionals and researchers (in any combination or by category). Workshops are 2 hours long. A maximum of four listed presenters.
    • First listed presenter receives complimentary registration and two nights complimentary lodging.
    • Second listed presenter receives complimentary registration and does not receive complimentary lodging.
    • Other listed presenters do not receive complimentary registration or lodging; they receive early registration.

STUDENT RESEARCH POSTERS

  • Posters provide opportunities for students to present their work to the audience at WiCyS in poster format. Winners in both undergrad and grad categories receive travel support for future security conference(s) of their choice. Runners-up receive prizes as well. 
    • The first listed student of accepted posters will receive an automatic scholarship.
    • Additional students listed on a poster will be responsible for their own expenses.
    • Only submissions from WiCyS student members will be considered.
    • Submissions must be presented in person.

All submissions must be submitted through this platform. 

  • Submitters have to create an account in this platform to submit an abstract of their proposal.
  • Submitters need to identify what type of submission they are applying to: Lightning Talk, Presentation, Birds of a Feather, Workshop, Panel or Student Research Poster.
  • Submitters also must identify which tracks: Technical Skill Building, Education & Workforce Development, Research & Innovation, Career Advancement and Community EcoSystem & Outreach. You can select multiple tracks. No track required for Student Research Poster. 
  • Please do not include your name or affiliation in your abstract since all reviews are blind.
  • An abstract is limited to 250 words that highlight the proposed session. An outline of the proposed session should also be submitted but will not be published.

Committees

WiCyS 2024 Program Committee

Program Chair: Dr. Ambareen Siraj

Program Coordinator: Pat McCain

Venue

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS 2024)

Dates: April 11-13, 2024

Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; 2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Host: WiCyS Organization

Contact

Please email your questions to: program@wicys.org.

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