PacerCon: Southern Fried Security

PacerCon 2026 is the student-powered cybersecurity and technology conference held annually at the University of South Carolina Aiken. As part of AI & Cyber Innovation Week 2026, this year’s theme — "Southern Fried Security" — spotlights the urgent need to protect the critical infrastructure of rural communities across the Southeast.
From agriculture to healthcare, energy to education, rural systems are increasingly targeted by cyber threats. This year’s event will explore how students, professionals, and public-sector leaders can build resilience, raise awareness, and defend the systems that power everyday life.