Welcome hackers and security experts! 

BSides Colorado Springs will be opening their official Call for Papers (CFP) on May 27th, 2026, with the submission window ending on Aug 16th, 2026. Keep an eye on this space for details as we get closer to the start of our CFP window this year.

CFP Begins:  May 27th, 2026

CFP Ends: Aug 16th, 2026

Final Decisions: No later than Sep 15th, 2026

Submission Platform: Sessionize (link to be provided when the CFP officially opens)

Submission options (please specify at the top of your response)

- 25 minute talk

- 50 minute talk

- Workshops

- Lightning Talk (~10 minutes)

Exceptional talks may be accepted early. Submitting sooner increases your chances of securing a speaking slot.

Reviews will be conducted in "Blind" fashion, where all reviewers providing feedback will never see your name, job title, gender, or other identifying information. The only exception to this is our current V.P. Russ Rogers, who is leading the CFP effort. 

If you're looking for guidance on submissions or on speaking for the first (or second!) time publicly, please check out the BS COS Submission Guidance provided by our President Emeritus, Gh0stfaceKiller (Jeff T.) at https://github.com/theGh0stfaceKiller/theGh0stfaceKillers-Informal-Guide-to-Submitting-for-a-Conference-Call-for-Papers-CFP.

Info we'll need for your submission:

• Title

• Abstract

• Detailed description

• Speaker bio

• Prior speaking experience (optional)

• AV needs

• Track selection

• Whether the talk includes demos

• Whether the talk includes potentially sensitive content

Submission Rules:

• No marginalizing or insulting content based on identity or personal traits

• No content that could physically harm others

• No incitement of anger or violence

• No vendor pitches unless explicitly submitted as a sponsored talk

• All content must be original or properly credited

• Live malware or exploit demos must be pre‑approved

Basic Submission Rubric:

Grading CFP submissions can be difficult. Several of us on staff have been doing this for literally decades. In order to set some expectations, here are some basic rubrics we'll be using to help gauge the value of a submission for our event:

• Relevance to BSides community (students, vets, professionals, and job seekers)

• Clarity of abstract (*Refer to Jeff's support doc above*!)

• Originality (*Seriously, AI is great. But 50 AI submissions is too much.*)

• Technical depth OR Programmatic Impact

• Speaker experience (optional weighting)

• Practical value to attendees