We are looking forward to SO-CON 2026 from April 13 - April 18, 2026 in Arlington, VA, USA. SO-CON 2026 features talks, trainings, and networking events focused on identity-based security and Attack Paths. It kicks off the week with a two-day main conference and ends with a selection of four-day adversary tactics and fundamentals training courses. The Call for Presenters (CFP) is open from October 1st to November 15, 2025 at 23:59 ET. 

We invite submissions for 50-minute sessions (~45 minutes of content and 5 minutes for Q&A) that delve into the complexities of identifying, executing, and protecting against modern attack paths.

Some suggested topics we would love to see:

• Novel research of Attack Paths
• Usage of BloodHound and OpenGraph
• Applications of Attack Path Management
• Identity Provider Attacks and Defenses (Active Directory, Entra ID, Okta, etc)
• Hybrid Attack Paths
• Federated Identity Attack Paths and solutions for managing attack paths across multiple identity providers
• Exploring the potential of AI and ML for automating attack path discovery in offensive and defensive applications
• CI/CD Pipeline Security
• SaaS Application Identity Models
• Cookie and Session Theft Techniques

Anything else where you've done something interesting with Attack Path Management, but please no product pitches

CFP Review Process

SO-CON ensures a fair and impartial review process by anonymizing all CFP submissions before they are sent to our CFP Review Board. We carefully remove any identifying information, including names, pronouns, and affiliations, from the title, description, and outline. The CFP Review Board then evaluates the anonymized submissions using a comparative rating system based on the ELO method. This system allows reviewers to objectively assess submissions against one another, considering alignment with the conference theme, content quality, and originality.

Based on these ratings, the SO-CON team will curate a dynamic conference agenda that reflects the most compelling and thematically relevant topics that includes contributions from the open CFP, SpecterOps employees, and invited speakers. We will also choose a number of backup proposals in case any speakers have to cancel.

Selected speakers will be contacted directly to confirm their participation.

CFP Submission Agreements

Please be aware that by submitting to the CFP and being accepted, you agree to the following:

• The submitter(s) will review and adhere to the Code of Conduct.
• You will show up (in-person) on time and give your presentation at the scheduled time slot. (Except in the event of understandable, unforeseen circumstances.)
• Any content submitted is wholly owned by the submitting party and SO-CON asserts no ownership of the content.
• You grant Specter Ops Inc. the rights to reproduce, distribute, advertise and show your presentation including but not limited to the SO-CON website, printed and/or electronic advertisements, and all other mediums.
• Audience members may potentially take pictures of you and your slides, unless expressly stated otherwise at the start of the presentation.
• You will submit a headshot photograph (or avatar) that can be posted on the SO-CON website, social media, and any printed materials.
• You will provide us with a valid email address that you monitor regularly where you will receive official communications.
• Any honorarium will be paid after the conference has ended.
• You will respond by the specified deadline to the acceptance email with all asks of accepted speakers. You are not confirmed as a speaker until these tasks are complete.
• You will bring your own presenting hardware (e.g., laptop) to present your talk. SO-CON will provide projectors, screens, internet, and an HDMI connection. You will identify any additional hardware requirements in the space provided in your submission.

Speaker Privileges

As a valued speaker at SO-CON, you'll enjoy a range of privileges to enhance your experience and support your participation. These include:

• A free two-day conference ticket to SO-CON talks for each speaker
• A free four-day training ticket to a SO-CON training course (primary speaker only, must attend in-person and course selection based on availability)
• Most meals included as part of conference and training agenda
• A speaker dinner if present on the evening of April 12, 2026
• A fixed honorarium to cover travel expenses based on location and number of speakers:

If you are the primary speaker for an accepted submission at SO-CON:

• Domestic (US) - $1500
• International - $2500

If you are the secondary speaker for an accepted submission at SO-CON:

• Domestic (US) - $750
• International - $1250

Visa Sponsorship

Speakers from many countries are eligible for a visa wavier (see https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements). However, if your home country is not part of this program, SO-CON is currently unable to sponsor your entry into the United States. International speakers must possess or obtain the necessary entry visas independently to speak at SO-CON.

Submission Guidelines

If you’d like to submit a proposal, please visit https://sessionize.com/socon-2026/ during the CFP submission period (October 1 - November 15, 2025). You may edit your submission anytime during the CFP submission period. After this time, you will only be able to view the status of your submission.

Important Dates

• CFP opens: October 1, 2025 at 00:00 ET
• CFP closes: November 15, 2025 at 23:59 ET
• Speaker notifications: December 2025
• Talks: April 13 - 14, 2026
• Trainings: April 15 - 18, 2026

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at socon@specterops.io

See "Speaker Privileges" for a complete list of benefits and honorarium details