What Is RSA Conference 2026?
RSA Conference (RSAC) is the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity event. Held annually at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, it brings together tens of thousands of security professionals, researchers, vendors, policymakers, and executives for four days of technical sessions, keynotes, and hands-on learning. The conference has operated for over three decades and remains the definitive gathering point for the global cybersecurity industry.
RSAC 2026 — the 35th annual edition — ran from March 23 to 26, 2026, under the theme "The Power of Community." The event featured hundreds of sessions spanning technical deep-dives, policy debates, threat intelligence briefings, and practitioner-focused workshops.
Key focus areas for 2026 included artificial intelligence (AI) threats and countermeasures, agentic AI, public-private collaboration, and ransomware disruption. With the rapid adoption of generative AI across industries, a significant portion of the programming addressed the security implications of AI systems — both as attack vectors and defensive tools.
Why You Should Attend?
RSA Conference occupies a unique position in the cybersecurity calendar. It is not primarily a sales event — it is where the security community gathers to collectively define what matters, share research, and set direction for the year ahead.
Core reasons to attend:
- Industry-defining content. Hundreds of sessions cover the latest threats, defenses, and policy developments across every domain of cybersecurity.
- Unmatched networking. With 40,000+ attendees from over 130 countries, RSAC is the single best opportunity to connect with peers, partners, and potential hires.
- Vendor intelligence. Over 600 exhibitors showcase the latest security products and services. Tools like Lensmor help you research exhibitors in advance — filtering by industry, company size, and product category to build a target list before you arrive.
- Startup innovation. The Innovation Sandbox and RSAC Launch Pad competitions spotlight the most promising early-stage cybersecurity companies, closely watched by investors and enterprise buyers.
- Executive programming. Dedicated tracks such as CISO Boot Camp, Cyber Leaders Forum, and the Executive Security Action Forum provide tailored content for senior security leaders.
Who Should Attend?
RSA Conference is designed for cybersecurity professionals at every level and across every function:
- CISOs and security executives seeking strategic insights, peer networking, and leadership development
- Security engineers and architects looking for technical deep-dives on threat detection, zero trust, cloud security, and identity management
- Threat intelligence analysts interested in the latest adversary research and briefings
- IT and risk management professionals evaluating tools, frameworks, and vendor solutions
- Startup founders and investors exploring the early-stage cybersecurity landscape
- Government and policy professionals focused on national cybersecurity strategy and public-private collaboration
- Students and early-career professionals through College Day passes and introductory sessions
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Who Is Attending?
RSA Conference 2026 drew more than 40,000 attendees from over 130 countries, making it the largest gathering of cybersecurity professionals globally. The attendee mix spans a wide range of roles and industries.
Industries well represented include:
- Financial services
- Healthcare
- Energy and utilities
- Defense and government
- Technology
- Telecommunications
The CISO Boot Camp and Executive Security Action Forum attract C-suite decision-makers, while the technical tracks and Innovation Sandbox draw practitioners and early-stage security founders.
Want to know which companies are exhibiting? Lensmor tracks exhibitor profiles, booth data, and product categories for RSA Conference and 1,000+ other trade shows.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
RSAC 2026 featured over 600 exhibitors across the Moscone Center's North and South Halls. The expo floor is one of the most competitive in the technology industry, with vendors competing for attention from CISOs and enterprise security buyers.
Major vendor categories on the expo floor:
- Endpoint and extended detection and response (XDR)
- Cloud security and CNAPP
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- Security operations and SIEM/SOAR
- Network security and zero trust
- Application security and DevSecOps
- Data security and privacy
- Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC)
- Post-quantum cryptography
- Supply chain risk management
The Early Stage Expo showcases startup vendors with less than $10 million in funding, providing visibility for emerging solutions in areas such as AI-driven security operations and post-quantum cryptography.
Lensmor provides real-time exhibitor intelligence for RSA Conference, including company profiles, product categories, and booth locations. Access the full
exhibitor list on Lensmor.
Speaker Lineup & Keynotes
RSAC 2026 featured a broad keynote lineup that included government leaders, technology executives, and domain experts.
Key session tracks at RSAC 2026 included:
- AI-driven threat detection and defense
- Zero trust architecture
- Cloud security
- Identity and access management
- National cybersecurity policy
- Ransomware disruption strategies
- Agentic AI security implications
- Public-private collaboration frameworks
Detailed speaker lists and session schedules are published on the official RSA Conference website.
Full Agenda & Featured Events
RSAC 2026 packed four days with programming across multiple formats:
Innovation Sandbox RSAC's flagship startup competition. Each year, ten early-stage cybersecurity companies present their technology to a panel of judges and a live audience. Finalists often receive significant investment interest.
RSAC Launch Pad A Shark Tank-style, in-person pitching event where emerging startups demonstrate their solutions to an engaged audience of investors and enterprise buyers.
Villages & the Connection Hub Dedicated areas for specialized, hands-on learning. For 2026, RSAC introduced the Connection Hub — a new community-focused space designed to foster deeper engagement and collaboration among attendees.
Closed-Door Programs:
- CISO Boot Camp — An intensive program covering leadership, risk governance, board communication, and strategic security program management.
- Cyber Leaders Forum — Exclusive sessions for senior cybersecurity executives.
- eFraud Global Forum — Focused sessions on fraud prevention and financial crime.
Travel & Logistics:
- Venue: Moscone Center, 747 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Airports: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is approximately 13 miles south; Oakland International Airport (OAK) is an alternative.
- Hotels: Conference hotel block properties include the Marriott Marquis (directly connected to Moscone), Hilton Union Square, Hotel Nikko, and InterContinental San Francisco.
- Shuttle service: Hotel shuttles run from partner properties to Moscone Center throughout conference hours.
- Weather: San Francisco in late March typically sees highs around 57–62°F (14–17°C) with cool evenings. A light jacket is recommended.
Registration & Ticket Pricing
RSAC 2026 offered several pass tiers:
- All Access: $2,395 (early rate) – $2,995 — Full conference entry including all keynotes, sessions, and the expo floor.
- Expo Plus: $495 – $795 — Access to the expo floor and a subset of sessions.
- Expo: $149 — Expo floor access only.
- All Access provides full conference entry including all keynotes, sessions, and the expo floor.
- Expo Plus grants access to the expo floor and a subset of sessions.
- Expo provides expo floor access only.
- College Day passes are available for students. Government attendees have dedicated benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the official dates and location for RSA Conference 2026?
RSAC 2026 took place March 23–26, 2026 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. The conference is scheduled to return in 2027 from April 5–8 in San Francisco.
How many attendees does RSA Conference draw?
RSA Conference typically attracts more than 40,000 attendees from over 130 countries. The event draws security professionals at all levels, from frontline analysts to CISOs and government officials.
What is the Innovation Sandbox competition?
The Innovation Sandbox is RSAC's flagship startup competition. Each year, ten early-stage cybersecurity companies are selected to present their technology to a panel of judges and a live audience. The competition highlights the most innovative new security solutions and is closely watched by investors and enterprise security teams.
Can I attend just the expo floor without a full conference pass?
Yes. RSAC offers an Expo Plus pass that provides access to the expo floor and a subset of sessions. An Expo pass ($149) provides expo floor access only. The full All Access pass is required to attend keynotes and the complete session catalog.
How do I prepare for the RSA Conference expo floor as a buyer?
The expo floor hosts over 600 vendors and can be overwhelming without preparation. Tools like Lensmor help you research exhibitors before arriving — you can filter by industry, company size, and product category to build a target list. Scheduling vendor briefings in advance through the conference app is also highly recommended.
What is the CISO Boot Camp?
The CISO Boot Camp is a dedicated, intensive program within RSAC designed for senior security executives. It covers leadership, risk governance, board communication, and strategic security program management. It is particularly valuable for CISOs who are earlier in their executive career or transitioning from technical leadership roles.
What was the theme for RSAC 2026?
The theme for RSAC 2026 was "The Power of Community," emphasizing collaboration across the cybersecurity ecosystem — including the introduction of the new Connection Hub for community engagement.
Ahmed Shabbir
Ahmed Shabbir is a digital marketing strategist and AI event intelligence specialist at Lensmor — the AI agent platform that turns trade show exhibitor data into booked meetings before you arrive.
