How’s everyone feeling? We’ve just completed day three of the Conference, leaving one more day to squeeze in more in-depth and thought-provoking discussions about cybersecurity and the state of the industry. But the fun isn’t over just yet! Let’s look back at what took place today...

Thirteen keynotes took place today, starting with World on the Brink: War, Geopolitics and Cybersecurity - a timely keynote where Dmitri Alperovitch explored the growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and how cyber warfare and state actors are influencing global instability. Attendees gained valuable knowledge on the intersection of cybersecurity and geopolitics, particularly as cyber capabilities become central to the escalating threats surrounding Taiwan.

Next, Kevin Mandia delivered his annual state-of-cyber report, discussing the evolving role of CISOs, the impact of AI, and strategies for building resilience in the face of emerging threats. Joined by former New York Times reporter Nicole Perlroth, Cybersecurity Year-in-Review and The Future Ahead, provided firsthand stories and actionable insights for cybersecurity professionals looking to strengthen their defenses.

In a departure from the technical discussions, The Art of the Assist with Playmaker Earvin "Magic" Johnson offered an inspiring keynote as the basketball legend shared his formula for success, emphasizing teamwork, leadership, and the importance of helping others along the way. His insights resonated deeply with attendees, inspiring new approaches to leadership within the cybersecurity community.

Later in the day, Fireside Chat with Director GCHQ and Chris Inglis took center stage as Anne Keast-Butler and Chris Inglis discussed the growing dependency on digital infrastructure, the challenges posed by rising cyberthreats, and the collaborative efforts needed to build a more resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. Their conversation highlighted the critical need for both public and private sector cooperation in strengthening our digital defenses.

For those interested in the startup ecosystem, The Startup Playbook: Taking a Company from Seed to IPO brought together top venture capitalists to share insights on navigating the complex cyber funding environment. With lessons learned from successful growth stories, the session provided invaluable advice for entrepreneurs looking to scale their cybersecurity startups.

Finally, the SANS Institute wrapped up the day with The Five Most Dangerous New Attack Techniques…and What to Do for Each, a session that dissected the latest attack techniques and provided organizations with practical, actionable strategies to defend against emerging threats. This session served as a crucial briefing for professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape.

Thursday: Closing Day Snapshot

There’s one day remaining! If you’re rushing to fit in your last keynotes, here are a few we recommend putting on your calendar:

• Hollywood’s Take on Cyber Conflict – 9:40 AM - 10:30 AM PDT at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. Join former government officials and Michael Schmidt, executive producer of Zero Day and New York Times investigative reporter, for a deep dive into how Hollywood reflects the real-world dynamics of cyber threats, exploring how adversaries exploit vulnerabilities and challenge national resilience.
• Hacking Exposed: Next-Generation Tactics, Techniques & Procedures – 10:50 AM - 11:40 AM PDT at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. This year’s Hacking Exposed session breaks down the latest attack tactics that let adversaries infiltrate systems quickly and covertly, followed by expert-led countermeasures to help defenders detect and stop these emerging threats before they become breaches.
• Cyber Policy: A View from the White House – 12:20 PM - 1:10 PM PDT at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. NSC Senior Director for Cyber Alexei Bulazel takes the stage to share the White House’s vision for U.S. cyber policy, including the evolving threat landscape, new priorities, and strategic outlook for future cybersecurity efforts.
• CISOs Unchained – 1:30 PM - 2:20 PM PDT at YBCA Blue Shield of California Theater. A must-attend for current and aspiring CISOs, this session brings together four distinguished former CISOs for a candid, interactive discussion on the evolving challenges of the role, and their unique experiences navigating the complexities of cybersecurity leadership.
• RSAC™ Sandbox ft. the DARPA AIxCC Experience  – 9:30 AM – 2 PM in the YBCA Forum. Dive into an array of hands-on experiences at the RSAC Sandbox, featuring unique opportunities to engage with various cybersecurity communities ranging from capture the flag to an escape room. You especially won’t want to miss the DARPA AIxCC Experience, which features a fictional city where you can witness the stakes of advancing AI-driven cybersecurity.
• Closing Celebration with Jamie Foxx, DJ Irie, and Jazz Mafia – 2:30 pm at Moscone West Keynote stage. Kick-back, relax, and join us to celebrate RSAC 2025 and our community. The tone will be set with turntable wizard DJ Irie followed by Jazz Mafia, a local collective of ridiculously talented musicians who bring a unique twist to everything they perform. We’ll then welcome to our stage the one and only Academy award winning actor, singer and comedian Jamie Foxx for an exclusive conversation. Priority will be given to Full Conference, Expo Plus, Speaker, and Media Pass holders. There will be a standby line for Expo, Booth Staff, and College Day Pass holders with seating allotted as space allows.

Great news for Expo Pass holders at RSAC 2025 – your pass now gets you into the YBCA, home to the RSAC Sandbox, the DARPA AIxCC Experience, and ICScape Pandemonium.

Don’t forget to check out the Expo floor before it closes! Tomorrow it’s open from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.