Preparing for WiCyS 2025

The WiCyS annual conference serves as a pivotal event for women in the field, fostering networking, professional development, and knowledge sharing among industry leaders, students, and aspiring professionals. Preparing for WiCyS 2025 involves not only securing attendance and accommodations but also familiarizing yourself with the various workshops, keynote sessions, collaborative discussions, and opportunities being offered.

Registration

General registration opened February 10th, 2025, at 10am CT. Industry professionals who are active members of WiCyS can attend the conference for $700. Industry professionals who are not members of WiCyS can attend the conference for $950. See the table below for other registration options. This includes lower rates for individuals working in academia or government fields.

Image from the WiCyS website: WiCyS 2025 | WiCyS - Women in Cybersecurity

Important: WiCyS student members cannot register for the conference without a "scholarship." In other words, if you have a student WiCyS membership and are not offered a scholarship, you cannot attend the conference. More information on scholarships can be found here. While they limit student registrations to ensure there is a diverse attendee pool, this seems to be a slight oversight on their part for those who are both in school and working in the industry.

Image from the WiCyS website: WiCyS 2025 | WiCyS - Women in Cybersecurity

If interested in attending WiCyS 2025, you can register to attend here. Registration is open until capacity is reached, so apply sooner rather than later! Update: Registration has reached capacity, but you can join the waitlist.

Travel & Lodging

The 2025 conference will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. The Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is just a brief, 4-mile car ride from the conference venue. Additionally, conference hotels will have complimentary shuttle services from the DFW international airport.

In addition to lodging at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, there are two other hotels with blocks for this conference. These Courtyard Dallas DFW Airport North/Grapevine and the Hilton Garden Inn Grapevine at Silverlake Crossings. These hotels will have free shuttle services to and from the convention center for attendees.

Booking at the conference rate is supposedly only available during conference registration. Despite registering four minutes after registration opened, the Gaylord Texan Resort block was completely full. To get the conference hotel rate of $209 plus tax per night, you must select the option to allow the conference to place you at one of the additional hotels. There are no discount codes to use to book on your own. Unfortunately, you do not get to choose which hotel you stay at with this option. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will find out which hotel you have been placed at via the conference portal on March 21st.

Agenda

The agenda for the WiCyS 2025 conference looks absolutely fantastic thus far, promising an engaging and enriching experience for all attendees. The schedule includes a diverse range of sessions, workshops, and keynote speeches aimed at not only empowering women in cybersecurity but also advancing their technical skillsets. Here’s a more specific breakdown of what participants can expect:

Conference Tracks

The WiCyS 2025 conference features five distinct tracks designed to cater to a diverse range of topics and interests within the field of cybersecurity. Each track provides a unique opportunity for presenters to share their insights and experiences, fostering an environment of learning and collaboration.

Image from the WiCyS website: WiCyS 2025 Call for Presenters | WiCyS - Women in Cybersecurity

Together, these tracks create a comprehensive program that addresses the multifaceted nature of cybersecurity today. See the full agenda with more details about the sessions here.

Sessions

• Keynote Speeches: Renowned leaders in cybersecurity will share their journeys, insights, and visions for the future of the industry.

• Panel Discussions: Interactive panels featuring experts discussing current challenges and opportunities for women in cybersecurity.

• Technical Workshops: Hands-on sessions focused on the latest tools and technologies, including topics like threat detection, cloud security, and ethical hacking.

• Career Development Tracks: Workshops designed to enhance skills such as resume building, interview techniques, and personal branding.

• Research Presentations: Emerging scholars will present their findings on various topics relevant to women in cybersecurity, fostering academic dialogue.

Networking Opportunities

• Networking Events: Structured events to facilitate connections between attendees, speakers, and industry leaders.

• Social Gatherings: Informal meet-and-greet opportunities to foster relationships and build a sense of community.

• Career Fair: A dedicated space for attendees to engage with potential employers and learn about job opportunities in the field.

Goal Setting

Conferences like WiCyS 2025 often offer a wide variety of sessions and opportunities. This is an amazing feature of conferences, but it can feel a bit overwhelming for some. You can't do it all, so how do you choose? In order to answer this and make the most out of your time at the conference, start by identifying what you want to achieve by attending. Are you hoping to land a job? Are you looking to promote your own work? Do you want to focus on networking or skill building?

Once you have defined some key high-level objectives, transform them into specific, measurable, and attainable goals. For example, when I attended the Grace Hopper Celebration, I made a goal to give my business card to at least one person I met while attending. I ended up giving it to three!

After making some specific goals, develop a plan to achieve them. This could be mapping out the sessions you want to attend or preparing some preliminary questions for companies at the career fair. Setting clear goals ahead of time and coming up with a game plan for achieving them are essential for maximizing the benefits of attending a conference.

Mindset

The best thing you can do when attending a professional conference like this one is to e open to what comes your way. Embrace the chance to network, learn, and flourish in this empowering environment, even if it feels a bit outside your comfort zone. Your mindset will shape your experience, so prepare yourself for both the things you can and cannot control.

Conclusion

Getting ready for the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) 2025 conference, or any similar event, can feel intimidating, especially if you're attending by yourself. Rest assured that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people that attend conferences solo annually. As you prepare for the WiCyS conference, remember that there are others like you in attendance.

Embrace the chance to learn, share, and grow within this vibrant community. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in cybersecurity, the insights and connections you gain at WiCyS will undoubtedly propel you forward in your career. Equip yourself with the right tools, stay open to new experiences, and get ready to make the most of this inspiring event.

This event is not just an opportunity to enhance your technical skills. It is also a chance to connect with like-minded individuals and industry leaders and be inspired by the power of this supportive community. By taking the time to research sessions, plan your networking strategy, and set personal goals, you can maximize your experience and have meaningful takeaways.