Event Description
October 12–14, 2026
Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek · Denver, Colorado
245 Columbine Street, Denver, CO 80206
We're bringing our global community of identity security leaders together, in person, to connect and collaborate.
The Identity Underground Summit is where the most pressing challenges in identity security get the depth they deserve. This is a members-only, practitioner-first event, with two days of real conversations between the people actually doing the work and the executives setting the direction.
What makes this summit different is who's in the room. Practitioners and executives from leading organizations sit side by side — sharing what's working, debating what isn't, and building a clearer picture of where identity is headed. That mix of perspectives doesn't happen at most conferences. It happens here.
Expect candid keynotes, working breakouts, CISO panels, and hands-on workshops, all set against the backdrop of Denver, Colorado in October.
Unlock the Future of Identity
Join the Identity Underground Summit: Shaping the Future of Identity Security
Practitioner-Led Content
Every session is led by working identity professionals — no vendor pitches, no theory. Hear directly from IAM leaders at Fortune 500 companies sharing what's actually working and what isn't.
Small, Curated Community
Space is limited, intentionally. Every person in the room is a peer — CISOs, CIOs, VPs, Security Engineers, Security Architects, and Directors and Managers of Identity who speak your language and face your challenges.
Deep-Dive Format
Choose your own path through breakout sessions and workshops designed for real depth. Walk away with actionable frameworks, not just talking points.
Exclusive Networking
The connections you build here go beyond the sessions. From the welcome reception to the evening events, the relationships you leave with are often the most valuable thing you'll take home.
Location
There's no better time to be in Colorado than the fall. Crisp mountain air, stunning fall color, and the energy of a city that knows how to host. Denver sets the tone for the kind of open, exploratory thinking this summit is built around.
Agenda
Explore our dynamic lineup of keynotes, panel discussions, and interactive roundtables designed to tackle the most pressing challenges in identity security. From deep dives into AI’s impact to collaborative problem-solving sessions, the agenda is packed with opportunities to gain insights, share ideas, and connect with industry leaders.
GM's Real-World Lessons and Best Practices
General Motors
Advancing Identity Security Across People, Process, and AI
AI compresses attack timeliness. Strip away the novelty of attacks being done autonomously and what's underneath is a straight identity attack: credentials compromised, authentication bypassed, access abused. Hed and Chris unpack what these attacks actually look like, what they’ve seen in the field, and how they’ve helped.
The pillars of a successful IGA program aren't what most teams think. People, process, policy, product — and the order matters. Anu unpacks what goes wrong, and what a program that actually sticks looks like.
Funding is hard to get. Leadership buy-in is harder. Extending your reach across an organization that doesn't fully understand what you do is harder still. Kelli shares what's worked.
Many identity programs jump straight to frameworks and maturity models while still not being able to respond with confidence: what accounts exist, who owns them, which ones are even real. This session walks through the account discovery work most teams skip across workforce, contractors, bots, and service accounts, what it actually takes to build a data model you can trust, and the risk such uplift can remediate.
Plante Moran
Two very different organizations. One very familiar set of deployment lessons. Rob and Hannah get into what passkey rollout actually looks like, including the use cases that held up, the ones that didn't, and what they wish someone had told them first.
You cover the whole company. Most of the company doesn't know that. Join Greg on building real influence as an identity leader: earning respect, extending reach, and making the case to people who don't think they have a problem.
Service accounts. API keys. AI agents. Non-human identities already outnumber humans in most environments. Anthony gets into what real discovery looks like and what you actually do when the numbers come back.
Wednesday, October 14th
This working session gives identity practitioners space to get real about what's actually on their plate. Facilitated peer discussion surfaces the technical priorities, implementation challenges, and capability gaps straight from the people doing the work. The output feeds directly into the Summit's closing roadmap session.
In this closed-room session, identity executives set aside the day-to-day and focus on what matters most. Through facilitated discussion, participants surface their highest-priority identity initiatives, the organizational and budget pressures shaping them, and where they see the greatest opportunity for progress. The output feeds directly into the Summit's closing roadmap session.
After separate deep dives into the identity challenges facing executives and practitioners, both groups reunite to share what rose to the top. In this closing session, participants present their AI priority frameworks, find common ground across roles and organizations, and leave with a collectively-shaped view of where the identity community is headed — and what it will take to get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Getting to the Summit
Denver International Airport (DEN) is 35–40 minutes from the venue. Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) are readily available from DIA. If you're driving, parking is available near the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, with both street parking and nearby garages. Denver is also well-connected via light rail, and the A Line runs directly from DIA to Union Station downtown, where rideshare and taxis are easy to find.
Where to Stay
We recommend staying at the Halcyon Hotel Cherry Creek, where the summit is hosted, for the full experience. A discounted room block will be available for registered attendees, where details will be shared upon registration confirmation. The Cherry Creek neighborhood also has a variety of hotel options nearby for different budgets. Book early, as October is a popular time to be in Denver.
What's Included With Your Ticket
Your ticket includes access to all main stage sessions, keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions across all three days, plus both workshop options on Day 3. All hosted meals and receptions are included — breakfasts, lunches, the Day 1 welcome reception, the Day 2 evening reception, and the group dinner. You'll also have full access to all networking opportunities throughout the event.
What is the dress code for the summit?
Business casual. Think: polished but comfortable. Denver in October can be cool, especially in the evenings, so layers are a good idea if you plan to step outside. The overall vibe is professional but relaxed — this is a working summit, not a trade show.
Things to do in Denver
Denver and the surrounding area offer something for everyone. Just steps from the venue, Cherry Creek North is one of Denver's premier neighborhoods for dining, shopping, and galleries. If you have extra time before or after the summit, consider a day trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, a hike in Red Rocks, or exploring the vibrant RiNo Arts District. October is an ideal time to be in Colorado — crisp air, stunning fall color, and clear mountain views.
Refund Policy – The Identity Underground Summit
Find our refund policy on our registration page.
Advisory Committee Members
The Identity Underground Summit is shaped by the community it serves. Our Advisory Committee is made up of senior identity and security leaders who help define the agenda, curate the attendee experience, and ensure every session reflects the real challenges practitioners face today.
Event Gallery (2025 Recap)
Don't just take our word for it. See what the inaugural Identity Underground Summit looked like — and imagine being part of what comes next.
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The Identity Underground