There's no predicting when or where the next big cybersecurity breach will occur, or how many people will be affected by it. Actually, there is a fair-to-decent chance that the next headline-grabbing attack has happened already, and the news just isn't out yet. Maybe because the target organization still doesn't even realize it's been hit. We live in an uncertain world.

With both real and imagined threats from digital malefactors looming around the clock, diligent cybersecurity professionals are hard at work attempting to carry out one of the most challenging jobs there is: protect everything, all the time. If you're on the front lines of that fight, then chances are you need more than just to occasionally take a break — you need allies.

We know where you can get both: Sign up now to attend the annual (ISC)² Security Congress event, held this year in New Orleans, La. You'll enjoy all the perks of a working vacation to one of the more scenic cities in the United States. And you'll meet a diverse array of like-minded professionals in a setting dedicated to improving the odds for outgunned security personnel everywhere.

‍(ISC)² Security Congress 2018, to be held Oct. 8-10 at the New Orleans Marriott, offers an array of presentations, including more than 100 sessions — with more than 100 featured speakers — organized into 13 tracks:

• Cloud Security
• Critical Infrastructure/ICS
• Cutting Edge
• Cyber Crime
• Government, Regulation and Compliance
• Identity Access Management
• Incident Response/Forensics
• People Centric Security
• Privacy
• Professional Development
• Research Findings
• Software Assurance and Application Security
• Threats

There will be three keynote addresses, given by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), a sitting member of the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Homeland Security; Theresa Payton, a featured member of the investigative unit of the CBS reality competition show Hunted and former White House CIO; and Jessica Barker, a cybersecurity researcher and cofounder of security consulting group Redacted Firm.

Planned special events during the conference include a town hall-style meeting; a résumé and job interview coaching career center; a special session dedicated cybesrecurity education called Making Cybersecurity Personal, which is a reboot of (ISC)²'s former Safe and Secure Online (SSO) program; a special forum for CISOs; a riverboat cruise; and a special networking event at Mardi Gras World.

Individuals who hold (ISC)² certifications will have the opportunity to earn up to 46 continuing professional education (CPE) credits toward recertification. Pre-conference training sessions are also available, and early registration discounts apply through July 31. (And don't forget to use the discount code CERTMAG50 to save $50 on any pre-conference training that you sign up for.)

Additional information about all aspects of Security Congress 2018 is available online.