March 25-27, 2026
CyberCon is Marshall University’s annual cybersecurity conference, hosted by the Institute for Cyber Security. What began more than a decade ago as AIDE — the Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence Conference — has evolved into CyberCon, a modern, multidisciplinary cybersecurity event serving West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region.
CyberCon 2026 is a free, three-day conference bringing together practitioners, students, educators, government leaders, industry partners, and community members for hands-on learning, presentations, demonstrations, and real-world problem solving.
Is CyberCon For You?
- Cybersecurity practitioners
- IT and OT professionals
- Engineers, analysts and technical staff
- Business, finance, legal and HR personnel
- Healthcare, education and public-service workers
- Local government, municipal teams and emergency managers
- Anyone in a technology-enabled role
- K–12 teachers
- Higher-education faculty
- High school students
- College students
- Career changers exploring cybersecurity pathways
- Organizations seeking workforce development pipelines
- Vendors and solution providers
- Companies exploring partnership or sponsorship
- Regional and national collaborators
- Parents
- Small business owners
- Local leaders
- Anyone curious about cybersecurity, digital safety or emerging technology
Mission Ready in a Converged World
This year’s theme, Mission Ready in a Converged World, highlights the growing intersection of IT, OT, cyber operations, infrastructure security, and emerging technologies.
CyberCon sessions focus on:
- Real-world cybersecurity
- IT and OT security
- Digital forensics
- Open-source intelligence (OSINT)
- Emerging technology & AI
- Workforce development
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Municipal cybersecurity
- Applied research and innovation
CyberCon supports statewide readiness, regional collaboration, and the shared mission of strengthening cybersecurity across West Virginia and beyond.
Registration
What to Expect
- Keynote speakers from industry, government, and national partners
- Technical sessions and practitioner-led presentations
- Hands-on workshops
- Live cyber demonstrations and scenario-based activities
- Vendor and sponsor showcase
- Community engagement activities
- Student-focused challenges and cyber experiences
- Networking events for partners, employers, and attendees
CyberCon History & Legacy
CyberCon is the evolution of Marshall University’s long-running Appalachian Institute of Digital Evidence (AIDE) Conference, which operated for more than a decade as one of the region’s primary events for digital forensics, cyber operations, and critical infrastructure security. AIDE established the foundation for practitioner engagement, applied demonstrations, and community cybersecurity outreach.
In 2025, the Institute for Cyber Security expanded the conference’s mission and rebranded the event as CyberCon, reflecting the broader cybersecurity landscape and the increasing need for cyber–physical security and workforce development in West Virginia.
CyberCon 2026 marks the second year under the new name and the 14th cybersecurity-focused conference in the combined AIDE + CyberCon lineage, continuing a tradition of convening practitioners, students, educators, municipalities, healthcare organizations, and industry partners.
Looking for CyberCon 2025 details?
View CyberCon 2025 Sessions & Materials
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