BSidesNOLA 2026 will bring cybersecurity professionals, critical infrastructure experts, students, and industry leaders together on May 12, 2026, at the InterContinental New Orleans for a one-day conference focused on practical cybersecurity education, industrial security, and community collaboration.
As cybersecurity threats continue to impact critical industries across the Gulf Coast, this year’s conference places a significant emphasis on industrial cybersecurity and operational resilience. Louisiana’s economy depends heavily on sectors such as oil and gas, maritime operations, chemical manufacturing, logistics, and utilities — industries increasingly reliant on secure and resilient technology systems.
The 2026 conference will feature nationally recognized speakers, hands-on learning opportunities, and interactive demonstrations designed to make complex cybersecurity concepts more accessible and practical for attendees at all experience levels. Highlights include participation from Idaho National Laboratory speakers as well as the nationally recognized ICS Village, which will bring its interactive ‘Tiny Village’ industrial cybersecurity environment to New Orleans.
Unlike traditional vendor-driven conferences, BSides events are community-driven and designed to encourage collaboration between practitioners, researchers, students, executives, and newcomers to the cybersecurity industry. Talks for BSidesNOLA are selected through a community-focused review process intended to prioritize technical relevance, practical insights, and real-world experience.
“Louisiana sits at the intersection of critical industries that keep the country running — from energy and maritime to manufacturing and logistics,” said Najo Ifield, president of BSidesNOLA. “BSidesNOLA is about building a stronger cybersecurity community around the people and systems that matter most.”
In addition to technical presentations and industrial cybersecurity content, BSidesNOLA 2026 will include career development opportunities, community networking, hands-on villages, and sponsor technology demonstrations intended to help strengthen Louisiana’s growing cybersecurity ecosystem.
Organizers say the conference has continued to attract increasing support from cybersecurity professionals and organizations across North America, helping bring new perspectives and technical expertise to the region while maintaining a strong focus on accessibility, education, and community engagement.
BSidesNOLA is part of the global Security BSides network, an international series of community cybersecurity events focused on knowledge sharing, professional development, and collaboration.
