Deep Dive: CCS 2025 Cybersecurity Preview – Taipei, Taiwan (Oct 13-17)

The ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security (CCS) is the premier venue for cutting-edge research in cybersecurity and privacy. In 2025 the conference runs from October 13-17 at the Taipei International Convention Center in Taipei, Taiwan. Here’s a deeper look at why CCS is worth your attention and how to make the most of your trip.

Why CCS Matters: Emerging Threats & Research Themes

Cyber threats continue to evolve rapidly. Research at CCS will address:

1. AI-powered cyber-attacks. Adversaries are using artificial intelligence to automate phishing, adapt attacks, and evade defenses.
2. Deepfakes and synthetic media. Fake audio, video and images are fueling misinformation and impersonation challenges.
3. Malware evolution. From ransomware to cryptojacking to fileless malware, attacks are getting stealthier and more costly.
4. Social engineering attacks. Phishing, smishing and business email compromise are exploiting human vulnerabilities.
5. Network and application attacks. Multi-vector DDoS and cloud exploits are growing in scale and sophistication.

These trends illustrate why CCS attracts researchers across cryptography, AI security, network defense, privacy and formal methods. By attending, you’ll hear about quantum-safe cryptography, zero-trust architectures, secure machine learning, and other approaches to stay ahead of adversaries.

Highlights for Visitors: Taipei Attractions & Culture

National Palace Museum

Taipei’s National Palace Museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art. The museum is also known for its digital innovation and VR exhibits, which bring ancient artifacts to life for modern audiences. The building sits just outside the city center and is easily reachable by public transit.

Taipei 101 Observatory

No visit to Taipei is complete without ascending Taipei 101, once the world’s tallest building. The Observatory offers panoramic 360° views of the city and showcases the famous 660-ton tuned mass damper that stabilizes the tower during typhoons and earthquakes.

Other Tips

• Night markets: Sample street food like bubble tea, fried chicken and oyster omelets at Shilin or Raohe markets.
• Public transit: Taipei’s MRT subway is efficient and inexpensive. Staying near an MRT station makes conference and sightseeing travel easy.

Practical Advice

• Travel preparation: Check visa requirements early and monitor typhoon forecasts for October.
• Schedule planning: CCS sessions cover multiple tracks, so study the program in advance to prioritise keynotes, paper sessions and workshops.
• Mix work with exploration: Balance your time between technical sessions and visiting landmarks like Taipei 101 and the Palace Museum.

Final Thoughts

CCS 2025 promises insights into the most pressing cybersecurity challenges of the coming years. With threats ranging from AI-powered attacks to sophisticated social engineering and evolving malware, the research presented at CCS is more critical than ever. Combine those sessions with visits to Taipei’s cultural landmarks, and you’ll return not only informed but inspired.