Chicago calendar Organizers
Who runs security events in Chicago
8 organizations have put events on The Watch Chicago, and every one of them has something on the calendar right now. Each one links to its own page with every upcoming date.
Professional chapters
ISACA, ISSA, ISC2, OWASP, IIA, IAPP and the other member associations.
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ISACA Chicago Chapter
The Chicago chapter of ISACA, serving more than 2,600 IT audit, security, governance and risk professionals.
Monthly chapter meeting (Oct 22 virtual, Nov 19 in person on the 2026 calendar); also runs workshops, bootcamps and an annual conference.
Next ISACA Advanced in AI Risk (AAIR) Certification Review Bootcamp Monday, October 26, 2026, 8 AM
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ISSA Chicago Chapter
The Chicago chapter of the Information Systems Security Association, holding afternoon chapter meetings with speakers and networking in the Rosemont area.
Roughly monthly on Thursdays, 3:00 to 6:00 PM (Aug 13, Sep 10, Oct 8, Nov 5 in 2026), check-in 2:30 PM
Next ISSA Chicago Chapter Meeting, November Thursday, November 5, 2026, 3 to 6 PM
Meetups
Free practitioner groups that meet on a regular rhythm.
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BurbSec Chicago
A casual, no-dues cybersecurity social group with about 3,300 members and monthly chapters across the Chicago suburbs and city.
Prime: 1st Thursday, Schaumburg. North: 2nd Thursday, Glenview (another listing says Wheeling). West: 3rd Thursday, Naperville. East: last Thursday, Chicago.
Next BurbSec East Halloween with Manifest Cyber Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6 to 8 PM
Conferences and summits
Annual and regional gatherings, some application only.
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Evanta, a Gartner Company
Evanta runs vetted, application only peer communities for CISOs, including the San Francisco CISO community whose gatherings sometimes land on the Peninsula.
CISO executive summits and inner circle dinners, application only
Next Chicago CISO Community Executive Summit (Evanta) Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM
Community groups
Nonprofits, councils and independent communities.
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Chicago CISO of the Year
A Chicago program that recognizes security leaders and holds in-person mixers for CISOs, executives, direct reports and industry partners.
Series of mixers through 2026 (July at Harry Caray's, August at the Metropolitan Club, 67th floor, 233 S Wacker Dr); attendance limited and subject to approval
Next Chicago CISO of the Year Mixer Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 5 to 8 PM
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WiCyS Chicago Affiliate
The Chicago affiliate of Women in CyberSecurity, hosting socials, panels and conference meetups.
Next WiCyS Chicago Affiliate Annual Spooky Event Thursday, October 29, 2026, 5 to 8 PM
Universities
Public talks, research events and career nights.
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SANS Institute
Cybersecurity training and certification provider that also runs free webcasts and summits.
Next SANS Chicago 2027 Monday, April 26, 2027, 9 AM
Vendors
Security companies that host their own in person events.
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F5
Application delivery and security vendor whose webinars cover API security, web application firewalls and bot defense.
Next F5 Academy Presents: 10 Days of Appmas (Chicago) Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM
Run a group that is missing?
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