We’re back! What a first day it has been. We are thrilled to welcome you back to San Francisco for RSAC™ 2026 Conference.

Some of the most innovative and enlightening individuals in the industry have already taken the RSAC stage during today’s opening keynote, track sessions, and seminars—with many more to come! Since it is impossible to be in more than one place at once, here’s a quick review of what you might have missed and what you can look forward to tomorrow:

Announcing This Year’s RSAC Innovation Sandbox Contest Winner

Congratulations to Geordie AI, named “Most Innovative Startup 2026” at this afternoon’s annual contest. After making their case to our esteemed judges, Geordie AI secured the win for its AI governance platform that gives enterprise teams deep, continuous understanding of agentic AI behavior. 

We also wanted to congratulate the Top 10 finalists, each of whom received a $5 million investment to drive cybersecurity innovation. This contest continues to get more and more challenging each year, and all of these organizations are certainly in good company. Since the start of the contest 21 years ago, the Top 10 Finalists have tallied more than 100 acquisitions and received over $50.1 billion in investments.

Highlights from Monday:

• Ambient and Autonomous Security: Building Trust in the Agentic AI Era focused on the shift toward security that operates continuously in the background, with Vasu Jakkal of Microsoft Security highlighting how self-healing, always-on systems are key to building trust in agentic AI.
• Jeetu Patel, Cisco President and CPO, took a broader view in Reimagining Security for the Agentic Workforce, exploring how AI agents are reshaping expectations around governance, access, and accountability—and why legacy models can’t keep up.
• In Activate Industry!: Moving Beyond Defense to Disruption and Active Defense, Google Security’s Sandra Joyce outlined why organizations must actively disrupt adversaries rather than simply defend against them.

What’s Happening on Tuesday?

Tuesday is the first full day of our keynote presentations. Keep in mind that for All Access Pass holders, keynotes and track sessions will be available on demand within four hours after their live occurrence and can be found on the session pages.

A few keynotes and networking opportunities you won’t want to miss tomorrow:

• The Cryptographers’ Panel - 9:40 - 10:30 AM at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. A perennial crowd favorite, this can’t-miss session brings leading cryptographers to the stage to tackle today’s biggest security questions—from the impact of AI on security to preparing for a quantum future and the emerging research shaping what comes next.
• Empathetic Leadership - 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Moscone West Street Level. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shares lessons from leading through moments of crisis with RSAC CEO Jen Easterly, offering a powerful perspective on how empathy, trust, and values-driven leadership can unite teams and inspire collective action.
• Multi Dimensional Defense in an Era of Escalating Cyber Risk - 1:15 - 2:05 PM at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. As cyberthreats grow more complex and interconnected, UK National Cyber Security Centre CEO Richard Horne explores why defense strategies must evolve beyond traditional approaches, addressing the real-world impact of attacks across societies, supply chains, and an increasingly blurred threat landscape.
• Inside Offensive Cyber: Lessons from Four NSA Directors - 2:25 - 3:15 PM at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. Four former NSA Directors, commanders of US Cyber Command, and four-star military official stake the stage for a rare discussion on the future of offensive cyber, unpacking the ethical, policy, and escalation considerations as private-sector “hack-back” debates gain momentum.
• RSAC™ Launch Pad- 2:25 - 3:15 PM at Moscone South 202. Watch three early-stage startups pitch their bold cybersecurity innovations Shark Tank®-style to a panel of esteemed venture capitalists. Catch the next big thing in cybersecurity before anyone else!
• The Five Most Dangerous New Attack Techniques: Crucial Tips for Defenders - 3:55 - 4:35 PM at Moscone West Street Level. A must-see each year, the SANS Institute returns with its definitive rundown of the most dangerous emerging attack techniques, equipping defenders with practical guidance on what’s coming next and how to prioritize protections against the most impactful threats.

For networking, tomorrow RSAC Sandbox and RSAC Early-Stage Expo will once again be hosting CyBEER Ops—a highlight for many attendees. Discover nearly 80 rising stars in cybersecurity innovation, offering you a unique chance to connect with the future leaders of the industry. The taps will be flowing from 4:30 - 6:15 PM at Moscone South 207.

And don’t miss the chance to explore the Villages, where hands-on innovation takes center stage. From Capture the Flag challenges to interactive system demos, these spaces offer immersive ways to engage with cutting-edge cybersecurity. Along the way, knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, guide your experience, and put your skills to the test.

A reminder that the Expo is open tomorrow from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. We hope everyone is enjoying RSAC Conference so far—our week is only just beginning!