Groundbreaking research deserves the spotlight at one of the most vibrant — and warmest — cybersecurity conferences on the calendar. And that’s exactly where SAS 2025 is calling. Kaspersky has kicked off the Call for Papers (CFP) for the Security Analyst Summit (SAS) 2025, heading to Khao Lak, Thailand, this October 26–29. This exclusive conference gathers industry leaders to explore the latest trends in the threat landscape. The CFP inviting participants to propose the work they would like to present is now open, with submissions accepted until August 1. The conference also features the Capture the Flag (CTF) finals, with a prize of $18,000.
The Security Analyst Summit (SAS), in its 17th year, is an annual event that encourages information sharing on advanced cyberthreats and showcases cutting-edge research and technologies. Last year, 165 delegates from 30 countries attended.
Each year, the summit features a range of engaging talks fostering thought leadership in the most advanced cyberthreats. The 2024 conference brought together independent researchers and top experts from organizations all over the world. For example, Yuki Chen, recognized by Microsoft's Researcher Recognition Program as a Most Valuable Researcher (MVR), shared findings on pre-authentication remote code execution (RCE) attack scenarios. Kaspersky’s GReAT team presented research on a new campaign by the Lazarus APT group and a Grandoreiro light variant. Last year's conference spotlighted space as a featured element — reflected in the event's style, select presentation topics, and a special panel discussion with Mikhail Kornienko, a Russian cosmonaut, and Leroy Chiao, Ph.D., a former NASA astronaut.
SAS 2025 will address advancements in Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) and shed light on the complexities of modern cyberattacks. This year’s topics of interest include:
- Advanced cyberthreats, APT actors and cyberwarfare
- Critical infrastructure and ICS/OT security
- loT attacks and security
- Supply chain attacks and open-source software security
- Ransomware incidents and how to stay protected
- Zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits
- Dark web trends and analytics
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity
Eugene Kaspersky, founder and CEO of Kaspersky, noted: “The annual SAS event is always one of the highlights in the calendar of our company. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, share ideas about the latest trends in cybersecurity, and soak up the dynamic energy of this special conference. It also provides a wonderful chance to learn new things from peers and feel part of the broader cybersecurity community.”
Focused on working together to combat cybercrime globally, SAS provides an ideal forum for meaningful discussions and debate. The CFP is now open until August 1, inviting cybersecurity researchers and professionals to submit their proposals to present at the conference. For detailed submission guidelines and requirements, please visit the SAS website.
In addition to the Call for Papers, the 2025 Capture the Flag (CTF) qualifiers will take place online on May 17. Last year’s qualifying round attracted more than 800 teams from around 80 countries, with only eight going through to the finals. Last year, teams were given five vulnerable services to simultaneously defend, while attacking the other teams over a grueling 10 hours. The top three teams will walk away with a share of the $18,000 prize pool.
“We are excited to host the CTF competition finals as part of SAS 2025”, said Igor Kuznetsov, Director of Kaspersky’s GReAT (Global Research and Analysis Team). “Last year, we pushed the boundaries of competitive cybersecurity by challenging teams with real-world tasks. The creativity, teamwork, and technical skill displayed by participants were truly inspiring. This year, we aim to elevate the competition further, introducing new challenges that are not only complex, designed to push competitors to their limit, but directly connected to the real-world challenges. We invite teams from all backgrounds to apply and showcase their talents in what promises to be an exhilarating and educational experience.”
To learn more about SAS CTF competition and apply for participation, please visit https://ctf.thesascon.com/.
