At RSAC, there is always a push to understand the latest developments in the threat landscape and the best methods for preparing to defend against them. However, despite all of the rapid developments in the field, there remains a need to focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Successful security teams understand that the basics provide the foundation upon which a strong cybersecurity program is built. With RSACTM 2026 Conference right around the corner, this is a great time to review some of these basics and revisit some of the past presentations that have focused on building strong fundamentals.
Five RSAC 2026 Sessions Covering Security Fundamentals
The Security Foundations track will run on Monday March 23. These building block sessions can help prepare Conference attendees for the week’s presentations, providing essential guidance that both deepens and broadens the understanding of all that is foundational to cybersecurity. Here are this year’s presentations that will help you get back to basics:
The Foundations of AI - Join Caroline Wong, Chief Strategy Officer, Axari, for her presentation on the foundations of AI, which will cover not only the cybersecurity threats posed by artificial intelligence, but also the ways in which businesses can employ AI to boost their productivity.
Digital Identity 101 - Paul Simmonds, CISO & CEO, Global Identity Foundation will cover the basics of building a secure identity management program.
Using the Basics of GRC to Build Stronger, Smarter Security Foundations with Mea Clift, Principal Executive Advisor, Cyber Risk Engineering, Liberty Mutual, will explore how governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) can help supercharge an organization and develop a more forward-thinking posture.
Five Foundational Pillars for Every Cyber Threat Intelligence Program with Jake Williams, VP, R&D, Hunter Strategy, will relate some of the hard-earned lessons Williams has accumulated in helping organizations grow their cyber threat intelligence (CTI) programs.
Who Would Fall for That? Foundations of Avoiding Scary Scams Join Roger Grimes, CISO Advisor, KnowBe4, will explore some of the latest and most sophisticated social engineering scams and provides effective strategies for recognizing and avoiding them.
A Bonus Experience to Learn the Fundamentals, Together
Learning from a sage on the stage can be incredibly valuable. Having time at the end of a session to ask questions is fantastic, but having the ability to sit at a table and partake in learning through the exchange of ideas is priceless. Speakers who delivered a Security Foundations session at RSAC 2025 and 2026 will facilitate small group discussions during The Fundamentals Forum: Let’s Get Back to Basics, an interactive, peer-driven learning opportunity available exclusively to All Access Pass holders.
Fundamentals, the basics, foundations—whatever we call them, we know that they are the underlying requirements upon which any security programs must be built. Organizations are only as secure as their weakest links and ensuring that the underpinnings of an organization’s security strategy are solid allows them to be well defended so that teams can focus on the rapidly evolving threat landscape and to anticipate future attacks.
Five 'Must Watch' Foundations Sessions from the RSAC Library
For those looking to do some RSAC Conference pre-work, we recommend exploring these sessions in the RSAC Library that provide an overview of the fundamentals of Identity, AppSec, GenAI, Cloud, and Network Security. These lay the groundwork for deeper learning in sessions on this year’s agenda.
1. Identity: The Last Bastion Security Control in a SaaS World - As a cornerstone of any good cybersecurity program, it is important to ensure strong organizational identity management. Aaron Turner, IANS Research Faculty Member, discusses his 25-year career in the field as well as the impact that artificial intelligence is having on identity management.
2. From Good to Great, the Foundations of Application Security - Shannon Lietz, Co-Founder and CEO of Thirdscore, breaks down the importance of safe software and how to take an Application Security program from good to great. She focuses on the understanding that a strong program focuses on the idea of continuous improvement, rather than reaching an end goal.
3. Principles of GenAI Security: Foundations for Building Security In - Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is one of the most transformative technologies in the technology industry. Diana Kelley, Chief Information Security Officer at Noma Security, explains how this rapidly developing technology affects traditional security principles.
4. Building a Resilient Cloud Security Foundation - While cloud security isn’t exactly new, many organizations have yet to adapt some of their fundamental practices to adequately protect their cloud based assets. Rich Mogull, Chief Analyst at Cloud Security Alliance, explains the differences between traditional security and cloud security, as well as how to bring your organization up to speed.
5. Home Tech, High Stakes: Securing the Digital Life - Cybersecurity concerns aren’t limited to organizations. With all the technology embedded into every aspect of the average home, it is vital to understand how to safeguard personal technology and protect against attack. Jennifer Minella, Founder and Principal Advisor of Viszen Security, breaks down the fundamental practices to help secure technology within the home.
At RSAC 2026 Conference, industry leaders and cybersecurity professionals will learn not only the ways in which they can strengthen the basics of their security program, but also the ways in which they can anticipate the future of the industry to ensure resilience and adaptability. But don’t stop at Foundations. Explore RSAC 2026’s full agenda to maximize your experience and reserve a seat at some of this year’s most highly anticipated sessions.