About the RSAC Conference

RSAC Conference™, the world’s largest information security conference, draws approximately 40,000 global cybersecurity professionals, 600+ exhibitors, and hosts over 500 sessions. It is an educational platform for exchanging ideas, sharing best practices, discussing current national and international policies, and identifying future threats in cybersecurity

In an invitation-only program, RSAC Conference will host top scholars from universities across the U.S that demonstrate a strong commitment to cybersecurity, giving them access to interdisciplinary programs that advance technical, human, and legal approaches to information security.

What is RSAC Security Scholar?

At RSAC Conference, we like to surround ourselves with all kinds of brilliant people—including the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Through carefully curated experiences, RSAC Security Scholar connects the hand-selected brightest up-and-coming cybersecurity students to thought leaders, industry luminaries, peers and conference attendees. The goal is to share knowledge, experience and connections to enrich the discourse on how to stay ahead of cyberthreats.

During the week, scholars:

  • Participate in a charity-driven team building exercise benefiting The Social Engineering Project.
  • Enjoy reserved seating at the opening keynote
  • Listen to speakers from across the globe discuss trends and insights
  • Network on the RSAC™ Expo floor with over 300 companies 
  • Attend an invitation-only dinner with leading cybersecurity experts and a casual dinner with fellow scholars and Program alumni
  • Connect and network with program sponsors 
  • Join in all RSAC™ College Day activities
  • Learning Labs and Birds of a Feather are not open to RSAC College Day Pass holders or RSAC Security Scholars.
  • Attend a closed door Q&A session with a top government official

Scholars have the chance to share their own insights and research at the RSAC Security Scholar poster board exhibition.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to Columbia and Barnard Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students in good academic standing.
  • Be committed to fully participate in the RSAC Security Scholar activities, March 23 – 26, 2026, in San Francisco, CA.

To apply, please fill out the form below by Friday, October 17, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET. You will need to include your current resume or CV and a brief statement outlining your interest in this program and why you feel you should be selected as Columbia’s RSAC Conference Security Scholar.

Application Form