CYBER.ORG Hosts EdCon 26, A National Conference Designed to Inspire and Empower Novice and Expert K-12 Cybersecurity Educators Alike

CISA-led organization hosts national conference in Reno, Nevada, June 16-18, to equip educators, administrators, and counselors with the skills to deliver K–12 cyber education in collaboration with public and private sector partners.

BOSSIER CITY, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CYBER.ORG – the academic initiative of the Cyber Innovation Center funded in part through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant under the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – will host its fourth annual CYBER.ORG EdCon conference at Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, from June 16-18.

Supported by leading industry partners, CYBER.ORG EdCon 26 brings together over 375 educators from across the country to strengthen K-12 cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) education. Attendees will learn practical skills, gain access to proven resources, and make new connections to help prepare students for future-ready careers in cybersecurity and AI.

As AI, automation, and other emerging technologies reshape both the opportunities and risks facing organizations, the need for a skilled cybersecurity workforce continues to grow. CYBER.ORG is addressing this challenge by equipping educators with the tools, training, and support needed to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals for an increasingly complex and AI-driven threat landscape.

CYBER.ORG EdCon 26 provides attendees with an opportunity to:

• Learn ready-to-implement lessons from ​CYBER.ORG curriculum developers.
• Explore no-cost resources from industry experts.
• Gain firsthand knowledge from K-12 educators who teach foundational and technical cybersecurity.
• Attend a diverse array of sessions including spark (20 minutes), breakout (50 minutes), and deep dive (80 minutes) on classroom ready resources, teaching strategies, and more immersive experiences led by CYBER.ORG.

"At Palo Alto Networks, we believe investing in cybersecurity and AI education is critical to building a strong, resilient workforce for the future,” said Mary Ann Byrnes, Director of the Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy. “CYBER.ORG’s EdCon plays a critical role in bringing together educators, industry experts, and public sector partners around a shared mission. By equipping teachers with industry-aligned resources and insights into real-world security challenges, we can help prepare students for success in an increasingly complex digital landscape. Palo Alto Networks is proud to support EdCon and help strengthen the cybersecurity and AI talent pipelines."

In a rapidly evolving threat landscape, it is essential to empower educators and caregivers with the ability to translate complex cybersecurity and AI concepts into effective, classroom ready instruction while sparking early interest in careers in technology and innovation. CYBER.ORG is grateful for partners like Palo Alto Networks who support its vision for the future.

“Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are no longer niche fields, they are foundational skill sets for many industries and communities,” said Charlene Cooper, Director of CYBER.ORG. "Through EdCon, educators gain valuable insights from industry and government partners, helping them deliver relevant cyber and AI curricula that prepare students for emerging opportunities in these fields. By investing in our educators today, and the students of tomorrow, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient tech workforce for the future.”

EdCon unites key stakeholders to translate real-world cybersecurity needs into stronger classroom learning and workforce readiness. Through this collaboration, CYBER.ORG is helping advance federal workforce priorities by expanding access to cybersecurity education, strengthening the talent pipeline, and preparing students for in-demand careers critical to the nation's security and economic competitiveness.

The conference will also recognize CYBER.ORG’s 2026 Educator Award winners, who are leading K-12 cybersecurity and AI education in schools nationwide.

• Melissa Busbin, Tift County High School, Tifton, Georgia
• Riya Nathrani, N. Marina Islands Public School System, Saipan, NMI
• Tabitha Senty, Rosemount High School, Rosemount, Minnesota
• Dan Trembley, Dunbar High School, Fort Myers, Florida

CYBER.ORG EdCon 26 is sponsored by the CISA, Palo Alto Networks, ISACA, Check Point, CompTIA, CS For Success, College Board, Intel Skills for Innovation, Parallax, and CSTA.

To learn more about CYBER.ORG EdCon 26, visit https://cyber.org/EdCon.

About CYBER.ORG

CYBER.ORG is a cybersecurity workforce development organization advancing K-12 cybersecurity education nationwide through no-cost curriculum and teacher professional development resources. Supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant. CYBER.ORG provides educators and caregivers with resources and training to teach cybersecurity education to K-12 students nationwide. Today, over 30,000 teachers across all 50 states and four U.S. territories are enrolled in CYBER.ORG’s content platform. As an affiliate of the Cyber Innovation Center, CYBER.ORG is committed to reaching over 50,000 educators by 2029, impacting over six million students nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.cyber.org.