WiCyS - Women in Cybersecurity

WiCyS Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) | Applications Now OPEN
2025-05-05 - 2026-04-30 | Virtual
The WiCyS Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) is designed to provide WiCyS members with hands-on, technical training in identifying, reporting, and remediating cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Utilizing the WiCyS website and platform as a live training environment, participants gain real-world experience in vulnerability discovery, triage, and reporting—key skills that enhance their résumés and prepare them for careers in cybersecurity. The program empowers members to become “Defenders of WiCyS” by fostering a deeper understanding of secure coding practices, systems analysis and responsible disclosure processes.
Participants are encouraged to collaborate, share insights, and build their technical acumen in a supportive community environment. The VDP is open to all WiCyS members and serves as a stepping stone toward more advanced training and industry engagement.
The VDP program will run from June 2, 2025, to June 1, 2026. Applications will be open continuously from May 5, 2025, to May 1, 2026—members can apply anytime.
Available to:

WiCyS members of all experience levels (domestic or international)
Professionals seeking hands-on experience
Individuals interested in vulnerability discovery and reporting
Members looking to strengthen offensive and defensive security skills

What You Get:

Access to a live, real-world training environment using the WiCyS platform
Opportunities to discover, report, and triage actual vulnerabilities
Exposure to responsible disclosure processes and secure coding principles
Potential future involvement in a formal bug bounty program through industry partnerships
And More!

Program Details:

Program Runs June 2, 2025 – June 1, 2026
Application Open: May 5, 2025 – May 1, 2026
Launch webinar: May 27, 1-2 pm CT

More details about the VDP program and to apply visit HERE

ChiBrrCon 2026 CFP Open
2025-09-01 - 2025-12-12 | Virtual
ChiBrrCon is Chicago’s premier vendor-free, practitioner-driven, nonprofit security conference where community, creativity, and technical excellence come together. Born from the icy winds of the Midwest winter, ChiBrrCon delivers high-quality technical talks, interactive villages, and engaging leadership discussions—all without vendor sales pitches.
The theme for 2026 is Artificial Intelligence. AI isn’t going anywhere (unless it replaces humans first). So yes, bring your hottest AI takes, but don’t worry—non-AI talks are still encouraged, because cybersecurity is way bigger than just robots pretending to be smart.

Submit your CFP HERE

WiCyS | Grace Hopper Celebration
2025-11-04 - 2025-11-07 | McCormick Place, 2301 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL, 60616, United States
Join WiCyS and our Executive Director, Lynn Dohm, and Deputy Director Michele Tomasic to connect with WiCyS members. Please stop by our booth to meet our team, connect with the local Chicago Affiliate, snag some swag, and learn more about WiCyS. Don’t miss your chance to enter to win a SANS training and certification bundle! The winner will receive a 4-6-day SANS Live Training course seat (in-person or live online), A GIAC Certification attempt aligned with the course (*where applicable) To enter you must be a WiCyS member and have your badge scanned at the WiCyS booth on-site.
Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) is the world’s largest gathering of women in tech, bringing together thousands of women from across the globe to learn, network, and celebrate their achievements. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Anita Borg and Dr. Telle Whitney, GHC was created to honor the legacy of computing pioneer Grace Hopper and to amplify the research, career growth, and impact of women in tech.

More information and to register HERE

WiCyS Professional Affiliate Leaders Only Meeting
2025-11-04 19:00 - 2025-11-05 13:00 UTC | Virtual
WiCyS Professional Affiliate Leaders-Only Meeting: We are all Stronger Together. As WiCyS professional affiliates trailblaze through their regional, specialty, or corporate affiliate programs, we collectively meet monthly in a leadership capacity to sync up on WiCyS global updates, best practices, upcoming events, and Q&A.
Affiliate meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm CT and the first Wednesday at 1:00 pm CT of the month.
