Call for Proposals is Open!
This year’s theme, Climbing Higher: Educating and Sustaining a Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce, highlights the urgency of building and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce. By collaborating with key partners, we aim to tackle current challenges and ensure a secure future.
Topics of Interest
Anticipating the Impact of Emerging Tech on Cybersecurity Work
Exploring the latest technological advancements and their impact on cybersecurity roles and skills, as well as developing curriculum for emerging technologies and industry demands.
Embracing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in Cybersecurity Education
Strategies and best practices for promoting diversity and accessibility in cybersecurity education and workforce development.
Building a Healthy Cybersecurity Ecosystem
Collaborative efforts between academia, industry, international stakeholders, and government to create a robust and sustainable cybersecurity ecosystem.
Creating Entry-Level Pathways
Work-based learning opportunities and innovative entry-level pathways for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.
Supporting Military Community Transition to Cybersecurity Careers
Assisting military personnel, spouses, and family in successfully transitioning to cybersecurity roles and utilizing their unique skill sets.
Utilizing Untapped Talent
Exploring ways to harness talent from non-traditional backgrounds, the informal economy, and underserved communities for cybersecurity careers.
Promoting Community College Initiatives
The role of community colleges in cybersecurity education and their approaches to workforce development.
Considering Alternative Paths into Cybersecurity
Certifications, apprenticeships, and non-degree-based pathways for entering the cybersecurity workforce.
Retaining Cybersecurity Professionals
Effective strategies for retaining skilled and diverse talent and reducing turnover in the cybersecurity field.
Addressing the Educator Shortage
Innovative solutions to address the shortage of qualified educators in cybersecurity education.
Proposal Submissions
The NICE 2025 Planning Committee is seeking timely, topical, and thought-provoking presentations for the annual conference and expo. The conference is an opportunity to bring together employers of cybersecurity practitioners and representatives from education, training, certification, and workforce development communities to promote collaboration and highlight effective and innovative approaches from industry, government, and academia.
This year’s theme, Climbing Higher: Educating and Sustaining a Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce, highlights the urgency of building and strengthening the cybersecurity workforce. By collaborating with key partners, we aim to tackle current challenges and ensure a secure future.
We encourage proposals from a diverse array of organizations and individuals with different perspectives.
The following considerations will also apply:
• Proposals should attempt to align with the goals and objectives of the NICE Strategic Plan.
• Where appropriate, proposals shoulder consider uses of the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework).
• Proposals should also consider effective practices and solutions rather than merely admiring the problem.
• Proposals will be evaluated and selected based on the quality of the written proposal, diversity of topics and presenters, and alignment with the conference theme and tracks.
• Depending on your topic, please consider the best format for your presentation, lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations of concepts or solutions, or interactive forums. Special consideration will be given to proposals that include audience engagement as part of the presentation.
You will have three presentation styles to select from:
1. Breakout Sessions (45 minutes)
2. Pre-Conference Workshop (3.5 hours)
3. Lightning Talk (7 minutes)
Be prepared to submit the following information for breakout sessions or pre-conference workshop:
• Presentation Title (maximum of 10 words)
• Session Description (maximum of 150 words)
• Presenter’s names, emails, affiliation, and biography (maximum of 75 words for bio and limited to three speakers)
• Intended Audience (maximum of 25 words)
• Intended Learning Outcomes (maximum of 75 words)
• Session Outline (maximum of 75 words)
• Active Learning Activities (maximum of 150 words and only for pre-conference workshop)
Be prepared to submit the following information for a lightning talk:
• Presentation Title (maximum of 10 words)
• Session Description (maximum of 150 words)
• Presenter’s names, emails, affiliation, and biography (maximum of 75 words for bio and limited to one speaker)
• Intended Audience (maximum of 25 words)
• Session Outline (maximum of 75 words)
• Intended Learning Outcomes (maximum of 75 words)
*Please note there is a word limit.
The NICE 2025 Planning Committee will use the following rubric to read and score each proposal.
| Criteria | Max Score |
| Presenters | The content leader(s) are very knowledgeable and experienced in the topic area. |
| Theme | They align the proposal and use language that effectively conveys the conference theme. |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility | Impact on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are clearly presented and integral to the proposal. The panel is diverse in its makeup. |
| Audience Engagement | The presentation has an approach that will actively engage the audience through content and/or activities as appropriate. Will achieve all the objectives proposed. |
| Student/Learner Perspective | Student/Learner perspective is clearly presented and integral to the proposal. Student/learner is part of the panel. |
| Relevance | The topic is current, relevant, or important to the field. |
| Innovation | The proposal clearly demonstrates best practices, new developments, or innovative techniques/methods. |
The Call for Speakers opens Tuesday, October 15th and will close on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Submissions received after the relevant closing date will not be reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the conference be?
The 2025 NICE Conference & Expo: Climbing Higher: Educating and Sustaining a Resilient Cybersecurity Workforce will take place June 1-4, 2025, at the Denver Marriott Tech Center in Denver, Colorado. Speakers are expected to present their sessions in person. We encourage prospective speakers to submit their proposals with this in mind.
To ensure the comfort and well-being of our attendees, we will be implementing the proper safety guidelines as well as providing an option for our guests to attend the conference virtually.
When will I find out if I have been accepted?
Speakers for all sessions will be notified by the end of March.
How many speaking slots are available?
We anticipate no more than 28 sessions.
How are sessions selected?
A volunteer Planning Committee, comprised of security professionals, technology experts, researchers, government employees, and educators, review all submissions and make selections based on quality of submissions and balance of topics desired to be covered.
Special consideration will be given to proposals that attempt to align with the goals and objectives of the NICE Strategic Plan and, where appropriate, consider uses of the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (NICE Framework).
How do I increase my odds of getting selected?
The NICE Conference values diversity of thought, background, gender, orientation, ethnicity, nationality and experience—let your unique perspective and expertise shine in what you submit. Well thought out, complete, unique submissions with clear and specific detail will improve your chances of being selected. It is also important that all presentations offer something new. Do not submit presentations that have been previously shared at other conferences or meetings.
What are the main reasons my proposal did not get selected?
1. Incomplete or non-detailed submission. The session outline and intended learning outcomes portions of the submission are the most important pieces of the entire submission.
2. Vendor pitch. Sales pitches are easy to spot, and our Planning Committee quickly eliminates them from consideration.
3. Multiple submissions. The Planning Committee seeks to build a diverse program. With limited sessions available, no more than 1 or 2 presentations will likely be selected from the same organization.
4. Déjà vu. Presentations that have been on programs for other conferences that precede the NICE Conference are not likely to be considered.
5. Diversity. Proposals submitted with little to no consideration for diversity of thought, background, gender, orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and experience will be denied.
6. Final tip. The NICE Conference aims to provide timely, topical, and thought-provoking presentations for attendees. We are looking for “new voices”, “new ideas” and “innovative” topics that have not been discussed before.
Who can I contact if I have problems submitting my proposal or have not received notification of my acceptance status?
The friendly NICE Conference staff are happy to assist you by email at info@niceconference.org