The challenges facing cybersecurity professionals are growing more complex, but so are the opportunities to lead, innovate and make a meaningful impact.
At ISC2 Security Congress 2026, on October 24-28 at the Gaylord Rockies and virtually, attendees will gain direct access to some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity, leadership and technology. From understanding attacker behavior and strengthening security culture to mastering communication, influencing outcomes and preparing for artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum disruption, this year's keynote speakers offer insights that can help professionals navigate what's next.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your technical perspective, strengthen your leadership skills or prepare for the next wave of disruption, these keynote sessions offer insights you won't find anywhere else.
Understanding Cybersecurity Through Both a Technical and Human Lens
Freakyclown and Dr. Jessica Barker, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Cygenta
Freakyclown and Dr. Jessica Barker, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Cygenta
Cybersecurity is often discussed in terms of technology, but people remain at the center of both attacks and defenses. Few speakers are better positioned to explore that reality than Freakyclown and Dr. Jessica Barker.
Known throughout ethical hacking circles simply as Freakyclown, "FC” has spent more than 25 years helping banks, governments and major organizations identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their defenses. His work provides a front-row view of how attackers operate, adapt and exploit weaknesses.
Dr. Jessica Barker, MBE, brings an equally important perspective. As an internationally recognized expert on the human side of cybersecurity, she has become one of the industry's most trusted voices on awareness, behavior, culture and risk. Her research and leadership have helped organizations around the world build stronger security cultures and more resilient workforces.
Together, they offer a powerful combination of technical expertise and behavioral insight. In their keynote, they will explore one of today’s fasest-growing cybersecurity challenges: the rise of AI-drien cyberattacks and increasinly sophisticated deepfakes. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how threat actors are leveraging AI to manipulate trust, exploit human behavior and scale attacks in new ways.
By examining both attacker tactics and the human factors that make these attacks successful, Freakyclown and Dr. Barker will help attendees better understand how organizations can strengthen defenses, build resilience and stay ahead of rapidly evolving threats. For security professionals seeking a holistic view of modern cybersecurity, this session promises to be both thought-provoking and practical.
Lessons in Leadership, Communication and Influence
Technical expertise alone is not enough to succeed in today's cybersecurity environment. Security leaders must also communicate effectively, build trust and influence decisions across every level of an organization.
Two keynote speakers with extraordinary leadership experience will share lessons that can help professionals elevate their impact.
Chris Voss, CEO and Founder, The Black Swan Group, Former FBI Lead Hostage Negotiator
High-pressure conversations are a reality for cybersecurity professionals. Whether responding to an incident, briefing executives or negotiating critical business decisions, the ability to communicate effectively can determine outcomes.
Few people understand that better than Chris Voss.
During his 24-year career with the FBI, Voss served as the bureau's lead international kidnapping negotiator and handled some of the world's most challenging hostage and crisis situations. He also served on the New York City Joint Terrorist Task Force, where trust, influence and communication were often mission critical.
Today, Voss applies those same principles to business leadership through The Black Swan Group. He is also the bestselling author of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It, a book that has transformed how professionals think about negotiation and influence.
His keynote will provide actionable strategies for navigating difficult conversations, building stronger relationships and leading with confidence when the stakes are high.
Kemba Walden, President, Paladin Global Institute, Former Acting U.S. National Cyber Director
As artificial intelligence continues to transform cybersecurity, many professionals are asking an important question: What role will humans play in an increasingly machine-driven world?
Kemba Walden brings a unique perspective shaped by experience at the highest levels of government, cybersecurity leadership and public policy. In 2023, as Acting U.S. National Cyber Director, Walden helped advance national cybersecurity strategy and strengthen collaboration between government and industry to address emerging cyber threats.
Her career has included leadership positions across government, academia and the private sector, including serving as a cyber legal advisor at both the Department of Homeland Security and Microsoft. Today, as president of the Paladin Global Institute, she continues to advance online safety through research, advocacy and innovation.
Walden will explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping cybersecurity workforces, augmenting some roles while transforming others. Rather than focusing on what machines can do, she will challenge attendees to identify the uniquely human strengths that technology cannot easily replicate.
From creativity and critical thinking to empathy, judgment and collaboration, Walden will examine how cyber professionals can leverage their human "superpowers" to create a competitive advantage in an AI-enabled future. She will also discuss how these capabilities can help organizations break down silos, strengthen cross-functional partnerships and build more resilient defenses against modern cyber threats.
For cybersecurity professionals navigating rapid technological change, this session will offer a timely and inspiring perspective on the future of leadership, teamwork and human impact in the age of AI.
The AI and Quantum Wake-Up Call Every Security Leader Needs
Jaya Baloo, COO and CISO, AISLE
AI is rapidly transforming the cybersecurity landscape. At the same time, organizations are beginning to confront another potentially game-changing development: quantum computing.
As advanced AI systems introduce new opportunities and new vulnerabilities, experts are also warning about the approach of Q-Day, the moment when quantum computing capabilities could challenge the encryption methods that protect today's digital infrastructure.
What should organizations be doing now to prepare?
Dr. Jaya Baloo will tackle that question head-on.
An internationally recognized authority on AI security, quantum readiness and cyber resilience, Baloo stands at the forefront of some of the industry's most important conversations. As COO and CISO of AISLE, the AI and cybersecurity company she co-founded, she helps organizations understand and defend against emerging AI-powered and quantum-enabled threats.
Her leadership experience includes serving as CISO at Rapid7, Avast and KPN, where she led major security transformation initiatives across global technology and telecommunications organizations. She has also advised organizations such as the World Economic Forum and Europol on emerging cybersecurity challenges.
In what promises to be a timely session of Security Congress, Baloo will explore how AI and quantum computing are reshaping risk and what security leaders can do today to prepare for tomorrow's realities.
Join the Conversation Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity
ISC2 Security Congress is the flagship annual gathering of the world's leading cybersecurity professionals. Built by and for the cybersecurity community, Security Congress brings together thousands of practitioners, leaders and innovators to share knowledge, exchange ideas and help shape the future of the profession.
Whether you attend in person or virtually, you'll have opportunities to learn from industry experts, earn CPE credits, explore emerging trends and connect with peers facing many of the same challenges you encounter every day.
These powerful keynote sessions will challenge you to think differently, lead boldly and stay ahead of change.
Join thousands of cybersecurity professionals October 24-28 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center or virtually and be part of the conversations shaping the future of cybersecurity. Register today for ISC2 Security Congress.
