Delinea | Privileged Access Management Blog

RSAC 2025: Navigating The AI-powered Cybersecurity Landscape

Written by Frank Vukovits | Apr 9, 2025 8:33:03 PM

The RSA Conference takes place at the usual location in the Moscone Center, San Francisco, between April 28 and May 1. Around 45,000 attend the RSA Conference each year to connect, learn, network, share knowledge and new experiences, and discover ways to become more resilient to ever-increasing cyberattacks.

At Delinea, we’re excited for RSAC because it gives us a valuable opportunity to connect with our customers, engage with industry experts, and contribute to the conversations shaping the future of cybersecurity. This event allows us to network with thought leaders and share insights from our subject matter experts, ensuring we stay at the forefront of industry discussions and emerging trends.

AI has been a dominant theme for the past few years, but the focus is even sharper this year

One thing is clear: AI will be everywhere at RSAC 2025. AI has been a dominant theme for the past few years, but the focus is even sharper this year. As an identity security pioneer, Delinea is at the forefront of these discussions, exploring how AI can enhance security, streamline access management, and strengthen defenses against evolving cyber threats.

That’s why we’re making AI a central theme of our presence at RSAC 2025, with a focus on how Delinea is securing AI —protecting AI identities, controlling privileged access, and closing gaps that emerge as AI becomes more embedded across the enterprise. A key session to attend is our “Identity Security in Multi-Cloud Hybrid Environments and the AI Horizon”, featuring Javan Nicol from SAS Institute and Dmitriy Ayrapetov from Delinea, on Wednesday, April 30th at 10:30 AM PT. This session will explore practical ways to secure complex, hybrid environments using AI-driven strategies.

Beyond our featured talk, Delinea will also host our popular Booth Byte sessions—fast-paced, 10-minute briefings packed with actionable insights. We’ll cover how to close workforce identity gaps by tackling credential sprawl and privilege creep before attackers strike, how to secure AI and machine identities by managing unmonitored access and enforcing oversight, and how to discover and protect IT identities using AI-powered analytics to expose hidden risks, detect shadow admins, and tighten security controls.

These quick but impactful sessions are designed to equip you with practical takeaways to strengthen your security posture in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

Plus, this year, we’re also introducing Partner Spotlights, where we’ll highlight collaborations that are driving innovation in identity security. These include sessions with CDW, GuidePoint Security, Keyfactor, Microsoft and Utimaco. Be sure to follow our LinkedIn page for the full schedule and updates.

Visit us at Booth #N-4235 to see firsthand how Delinea is redefining identity security in the AI era. Book a meeting with our team to discuss your security strategy, explore tailored solutions, and get expert guidance. You can also catch live demos, join Booth Byte sessions, and walk away with some great giveaways (hint: don’t forget to bring something home for the kids).

Come say "Hello" to us at booth N-4235

So, Delinea has lots of cool stuff going on at RSAC, but let's dive into some of the other great content this year at the event.

Starting off, actor and director Ron Howard is the keynoter on Tuesday. He and his daughter will explore his beautiful mind as they discuss his ability to push boundaries and explore new things. This topic resonates well in the cybersecurity world, as risks are always evolving, and you must push boundaries with new approaches and solutions for securing the enterprise, especially in today's world of interconnected systems and AI.

Speaking on AI again, it is front and center again this year at RSAC. Securing AI has been a theme for a couple of years now at RSAC, but it seems this year there are more sessions than ever around AI, both in terms of the increasing AI-assisted threats and with the power of AI to help secure and prevent these AI threats from being successful. Ironically, to ensure AI, you need to use AI, as there is too much data to secure, too many signals to review, and too many interconnected systems with AI in use to expect cybersecurity tools of the past to adequately secure AI today and in the future.

So, with this in mind, here are some sessions of genuine interest to me that I am sure will provide valuable information about securing AI with AI and how our industry continues to evolve, especially with the new cyber regulations being put in place around the globe. 

  • What Directors and CISOs Need to Know About Cyber Mandates for AI Systems 
  • Principles of GenAI Security: Foundations for Building Security In
  • Harnessing AI to Enhance Cloud Security While Addressing New Attack Vectors 
  • Shadow AI: Shining the Governance Light on AI
  • Protecting AI Infrastructure: Building Secure, Scalable and Resilient Systems Keynote, Chief Product Officer Cisco
  • Security in the Age of Agentic AI Keynote, CVP Microsoft Security
  • 2025 and Beyond: The Evolution of Identity-Centric Cybersecurity
  • Rebooting America's Identity System: AI as the Catalyst
  • AI and Cybersecurity: Shaping the Future of the Digital Economy 
  • Generative AI Meets Identity Governance: Automating the Overlooked

To make your RSA Conference journey successful, I have also compiled some tips from my years of attending to maximize your time in the Moscone Center and around the conference. I hope you find these valuable as well.

Tips to make your RSAC experience a great one

I have found that attending the RSAC is amazing and extremely beneficial for individuals and companies interested in cybersecurity and, more broadly, sound security. That being said, it can also be a bit overwhelming. It is easy to get lost at the conference and lose focus on why you are there and how best to maximize your time (hint: time goes fast at RSAC).

So, to help you enjoy RSAC and, indeed, maximize your time in San Francisco, here are some tips I have that I hope you will find handy.

Network, network, network:

RSAC is a gathering of cybersecurity professionals, experts, vendors, and enthusiasts from around the globe. There are so many great chances to network with these individuals, and you never know when a brief conversation can lead to new collaboration or partnerships between companies, the establishment of a valuable new connection for you or just someone to sit down and enjoy a beverage with, taking a break from the craziness of RSAC.

Deepen your knowledge:

The RSAC agenda is packed with sessions, workshops, labs, and deep-dive presentations covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including some cool stuff on AI and security this year. If you are lucky enough to have a full pass and can attend these sessions – DO! Attending these sessions allows you to gather knowledge about the latest trends, technologies, threats, and best cybersecurity practices. If you want to see the list of sessions I am looking forward to the most, check it out here:

Learn about new products and solutions:

Let's not kid ourselves; the expo floor at RSAC is enormous. It spans two expo halls and features hundreds of booths with cybersecurity vendors showcasing their products, services, offerings, and solutions. I encourage you to explore all these booths have to offer, but don’t try to accomplish this task all at one time.

Plan a couple of trips to the expo floor if you can, engage with vendors, and gain insights into their leading-edge technologies and innovations in cybersecurity. Pay close attention to how AI is being used to not only secure your assets, but also in the products themselves to make them more user-friendly and efficient.

Embrace professional development:

The conference provides opportunities for professional development through workshops, training sessions, labs, certifications, and more. You can participate in these activities to enhance your skills, deepen your knowledge, or pick up some educational credits for your certification, plus even prepare for a cybersecurity certification exam.

Gain industry insights:

The RSAC offers a great chance to hear from cybersecurity thought leaders, industry experts, and influential figures as they share their insights, perspectives, and predictions regarding the future of cybersecurity. However, these folks want to hear from you as well. Share your thoughts with them when possible. Also, don’t forget about the numerous working groups that will be meeting at RSAC, shaping the direction of future standards in the cybersecurity industry. They are always looking for input.

Lastly, since RSAC is a security conference, let me share some tips to keep you and your devices secure.

Here are several security tips for attending RSAC, or any in-person conference

These should help you stay safe and reduce the risk of becoming compromised. I follow these practices on my frequent travels, but I take specific precautions while traveling to further reduce risks.

Use secure connections:

Again, this applies all the time, but at RSAC if you are using public Wi-Fi networks, know those networks can be easily compromised. Instead, use your mobile data with a virtual private network (VPN) for secure browsing and communication. If you must use public Wi-Fi, whether at RSAC or perhaps at the airport, use it in conjunction with a VPN or secure remote access solution.

Secure your devices:

Update your devices with the latest software and security patches before you leave for the conference. Enable encryption and strong passwords and consider using biometric authentication where possible. This should be true all the time, but at a security conference, you never know if a threat actor might be sitting next to you or walking by you in the expo hall. Spend the time upfront to secure your devices.

Be aware of surveillance:

At RSAC, it is important to understand that you may well be video-monitored and perhaps even recorded in public spaces, both physically and digitally. Best practice is to use discretion when discussing sensitive information and be mindful of your surroundings. This includes when you open your laptop. If you are not using a laptop privacy screen, pay attention to the work you are performing on your laptop and who might be watching.

Minimize data exposure:

Your company may already lock down your devices and data securely, but what about your personal sensitive data? When possible, leave it secured at home. I mentioned using secure Wi-Fi above, but it bears repeating: Try to avoid accessing confidential information or sensitive accounts on public computers or shared networks. Definitely encrypt and use password protection for any files or documents you do need to bring with you on work or personal devices as well.

Protect your valuables:

When traveling, it always makes sense to keep your valuables securely locked in your hotel room, either in a safe or locked suitcase. RSAC is no different in that regard. Also, avoid carrying unnecessary cash or expensive items with you, and be cautious when using ATMs or making financial transactions. Shoulder surfing is still real, and with an event with thousands of people, it is easier for threat actors to deploy their techniques on unsuspecting conference attendees in a large city.

Let’s connect and shape the future of identity security—together. See you in San Francisco!