Confession: While I've worked and attended tech events at the Moscone Center, when it comes to RSA Conference takes, I'm new. Since others are better equipped to deep dive into trends, news, and analysis, let's talk about time.
In his book When, Daniel Pink argues the case for matching the right task to the right part of the day. Decades of research spanning psychology, biology, economics, and medicine all reinforce that our daily human rhythms follow predictable patterns. Understanding and working with these can boost overall effectiveness and well-being. This collective flow of human energy was on center stage at the boisterous convergence of humanity and technology that was RSA Conference 2026.
Stepping into Moscone Center South on Tuesday, March 24, was a hit of pure human energy. 2025 set a high-water mark of nearly 44,000 attendees. Final numbers are pending, but projections this year show another high.
Along with other "up-and-at-em" Day 1 achievers, I dived right into the check-in line during what in hindsight surely must have been peak morning rush. Snaking back and forth for around a quarter mile to the furthest corners of the lobby, this was "The Power of Community" (2026 theme) on blast. As a parent who's made the mandatory Disneyland pilgrimage, this was a Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance during Spring Break break-level line.
Regardless of preparation, shuttling that volume of humanity through any registration process is a herculean task. Fortunately, helpful line management paired with consistently positive RSAC staff kept the energy and excitement flowing. From security check to badge, the wait totaled around 40 minutes. Impressive.
Entering the main exhibition hall, morning energy was on full display. Booth representatives were caffeinated, demos had energy, and the talking points were flowing. This was "get things done" type of energy. Media pass in hand, this was the best hours for optimistic "sky's the limit" quotes, factfinding, opinion gathering, and by-the-book insights.
Balancing the initial five-alarm sensory overload that is the show floor, this was also prime time for a side quest up to the AI Village for a brief chat with founder Sven Cattell. In this decidedly much more low-key and hands-on space, you could feel reflective, considered thought leadership flowing. This was a gathering of the brain trust with hands-on practitioners forging ahead to relentlessly fight the good fight. Not going to lie, chatting with a world-class expert PhD in Algebraic Topology who also has a postdoc in geometric machine learning on how humanity might better secure our future was a "smile and nod" type experience. Highly recommended for those looking to get "rubber meets the road" insights. (Literally, the next keynote while I was there was "Securing Autonomous EV Mobility.") After a brief stopover in the well-furnished media room for a quick lunch, it was back into the post-lunch exhibition floor.
In When, Pink notes that this post-lunch period marks a "trough"—the low point of the daily energy cycle for most people. For those diligently working the full-contact arena of the exhibition floor, this is the tough period. The promise of evening happy hours is still hours away. I saw one or two whisper rooms repurposed for a power nap. (Pink would approve.)
That said, conversations from this point onward became more real. With the white-hot morning energy burned away, you couldn't help but feel the conversations getting tangibly more "real." Pink notes that at this point in the day, analytical thinking, focus, and careful judgment are at their weakest (a boon for intrepid reporters seeking out raw takes and quotes). While all rules are off when the bright show lights are on, in normal times, Pink cautions against scheduling important decisions, high-stakes meetings, or complex problem-solving during this window. Yeah, not gonna happen here—we're powering through.
Conversations during this time surfaced honest impressions, vulnerabilities about the challenges faced, and a refreshing wave of "we're all in this together." Those who went hard out of the gate on swag acquisition found both bags and bodies tested. (I saw more than one bulging bag being dragged by an attendee who likely found this window a bit more exhausting than most.)
Soon enough, the promise of after-hours events appeared on the horizon. With copious choices of more hosted food, drink, and entertainment throughout the SoMa neighborhood and beyond, a collective eagerness filled the atmosphere and the energy started to build. Clearly, we were collectively climbing out of the trough to the promise of evening energy. Good food, good drink, and a chance to bond with newfound friends will do that.
In the end, surfing the energetic tides of RSAC 2026 left a deeper appreciation for the ebb and flow of both personal and collective energy. Making your way through the Super Bowl + World Cup + Olympics of cybersecurity, you can't help but respect our industry. Speaking from the editorial side of a cybersecurity events organizer, it was heartening to see humans do what humans have done for thousands of years—gather. RSAC 2026 was "Power of Community" embodied—in all its forms.
Nice to know that for all the talk of the undeniably impressive silicon and software advances, all this impressive tech is in service of us, the humans. The responsibility falls on us to make our world a bit more secure.
