2026 Keynote Speaker

Jeff Man

Certified NSA Cryptanalyst · Architect of NSA's first red team · Secure Ideas

A respected information security pioneer, advocate, advisor, OG hacker, evangelist, podcast host, teacher, international keynoter, speaker and mentor. Jeff shares over 42 years of experience working in all aspects of computer, network and information security. A Certified NSA Cryptanalyst, he designed NSA's first software-based cryptosystem, invented a cipher wheel (the Whiz Wheel) used by US Special Forces for over a decade, and was the architect of NSA's first penetration testing red team. Jeff currently leads the PCI assessment and advisory practice at Secure Ideas.

Hackfest keynote
Reflections of a[n almost] Nefarious Hacker or, more simply “I Was the First Edward Snowden”
Polar talk
~~Getting Back to the Basics~~ ~~The Fundamentals of CyberSecurity~~ ~~Rethinking Security~~ What Are We Doing Here?

October 29 - 30 - 31, 2026 Quebec City Convention Centre

HACKFEST 2026

The cybersecurity event of the year

Presented by

October 29 - 30 - 31, 2026

Quebec City Convention Centre

POLAR 2026

The annual meeting for security decision-makers

October 29, 2026

Quebec City, QC

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Dates: Oct. 29 to 31, 2026; 18th edition
Venue: Quebec City Convention Centre; 1000 Boul. René-Lévesque Est
Trainings: Oct. 26 to 29; Hôtel Palace Royal
POLAR: Oct. 29; Le Capitole de Québec

Tickets

Hackfest 2026 at a glance

All the details

Hackfest 2026, the 18th edition, takes place October 29 to 31, 2026 at the Quebec City Convention Centre (1000 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est). Trainings run October 26 to 29 and POLAR is on October 29. Tickets are on Eventbrite.

Dates: October 29 to 31, 2026
Venue: Quebec City Convention Centre, 1000 Boulevard René-Lévesque Est, Quebec City, QC G1R 5T8
Tickets: Hackfest $150, CTF $15, POLAR $330, Hackfest + POLAR $420 (plus taxes). Buy on Eventbrite
Trainings: October 26 to 29, 2026, Hôtel Palace Royal
POLAR: October 29, 2026, 8 AM to 6 PM, Le Capitole de Québec
Hackfest CTF: October 29, 6 PM to October 30, 6 PM
StealthCup: October 31, 2026, 9 AM to 5 PM
Languages: French and English
Organizer: Hackfest Communication inc.
Call for papers: closed on August 25, 2026, see the schedule