Call for Speakers
Process Overview
We are delighted that you are interested in speaking at the 5th annual edition of Africa Cyber Defense Forum (ACDF).
Our Committee of Experts-Working Group (CoE-WG) employs a robust speaker evaluation and selection process. We go through several rounds of review to ensure that we select presentations that best represent our attendees’ interests. This gives our Forum an edge over other industry events. The following is a timeline for the submission process for ACDF 2024.
- February 26, 2024: Call for Speakers opens
- July 31, 2024: Call for Speakers ends
- August 12, 2024: Notification of acceptance status
We are looking for fresh guidance and insights for ACDF 2024. Therefore, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- No more than two proposals per speaker
- Interactivity is encouraged — proposals that emphasize attendee engagement will be given priority
- Case studies will receive priority consideration
- Veteran speakers are welcome, but new material will be prioritized over past material
- Vendors and solution providers are encouraged to submit proposals, but a customer must be featured as a co-presenter
- Commercial/promotional content will not be considered
The CoE-WG receives hundreds of high-quality proposals from professionals throughout the industry and we will select the best mix to be part of the ACDF 2024 programme.
Selection Criteria
We want the very best presentations for ACDF 2024. What are we looking for?
The ideal speaker:
- Has significant experience and subject matter expertise in the topic proposed, strong content knowledge, experience, and passion
- Can engage an audience with purely educational, insightful, and focused content
- Knows that the strongest sessions are driven by real-life stories and insights
- Understands that session objectives and takeaways must be actionable
- Is comfortable speaking in front of large groups
- Is able to communicate, collaborate, and exchange ideas with attendees
- Is willing to partner with ACDF to deliver the best possible experience for attendees
- Believes a diverse speaker lineup delivers the greatest value
- Plans to attend the entire event and engage with attendees
- Is open to helping spread the word about ACDF 2024
The ideal session:
- Is relevant to information security and cyber security leaders
- Addresses the most pressing issues regarding best practices, processes, infrastructure, and strategy
- Is more than just theory, delivering practical experience, real-world examples, and case studies from all points along the path to maturity
- Is a coherent, interest-grabbing presentation featuring high-quality materials and accompanying documentation
- Is fresh, timely content that doesn’t promote or endorse a specific product/service
Please provide complete information for each proposal element.
- You must include a title that’s descriptive, attention-grabbing, and/or provocative
- You must include an abstract/description letting potential attendees know what’s in it for them; make a case for why your session/coverage is different, urgent, important to the industry, etc.
- You must identify 3-5 key takeaways to help attendees understand what they’ll gain from attending your session
- You must include full contact information, a brief biographical statement, and a headshot
Forum Tracks
Emerging Technologies
Dive into transformative technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain, and quantum computing in the context of cybersecurity.
Policy and Regulations
Delve into the intersection of policy, regulations, and cybersecurity governance. Understand compliance frameworks and strategies for managing cyber risks.
Solutions
Explore cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, advancements in threat intelligence, incident response technologies, and emerging trends in security operations.
Government
Explore national cybersecurity strategies, international cooperation, and incident response coordination for securing African nations in the digital age.
Capacity Building
Focus on strategies for building and strengthening cybersecurity capabilities in Africa. Explore workforce development, cybersecurity education, and initiatives to address the shortage of cybersecurity talent in Africa.
Committee of Experts – Working Group
Diana Agaba
Head Information Security, Stanbic Bank Uganda
Dr. Martin Koyabe
Senior Project Manager, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
Patricia Rotich
Cyber Security Incident Responder, Safaricom PLC
Daniel Ehrenreich
Thought Leadership Practitioner, Consultant, Lecturer
Marvin Ngoma Tyolani
Principal Security Architect, Elastic
Rules of Engagement
If you are selected for the final program, you will receive a Speaker Agreement confirming and affirming your commitment to ACDF 2024.
- You (and any proposed co-presenters or panelists) must be available to speak anytime from October 15-17; all sessions are assigned a date/time at the discretion of the CoE-WG team.
- You are expected to cover the entirety of your assigned time slot and present the session as described in the agenda. Attendees will be evaluating you on how well your session related to the topic described in the agenda; for example, if you submit a topic geared toward Emerging Trends, Policy and Regulations, Solutions, Capacity Building and Government, attendees will verify that you satisfied that expectation.
- Speakers are selected, not companies. If you must withdraw from the program, the CoE-WG team reserves the right to replace the cancelled session with a comparable topic and speaker from the wait list.
- Each speaker will receive one complimentary conference registration. If one or more co-presenters qualify to participate, additional complimentary registrations may be offered.
- Travel arrangements and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of the speaker(s).
Evaluation Guide
If selected to present at the Forum, attendees will evaluate your session using the following criteria, rating your content and performance on a five-point scale. To be considered for future events, you must receive a minimum overall rating equal to the average score for this year’s Forum.
- Content – Attendees select sessions based upon the description(s) you provided for the Forum proceedings materials. The items below verify that you delivered the content you described, had the expertise you claimed, and included specific, useful how-to information.
- Was the session content was what you thought it would be?
- Did the session provide useful information?
- Did the speaker display a strong knowledge of the subject?
- Can I apply what I learned to my current job/profession?
- Performance – The items below confirm that you knew your topic, were well prepared for your session, kept the attendees’ attention, and fulfilled your commitment to non-promotion.
- Did the speaker demonstrate a strong ability to communicate ideas?
- Did the speaker handle audience interactions and Q&A effectively?
- Do you recommend this speaker for future events?
- Did the speaker inappropriately promote their company’s products/services?