An electrifying gathering Day in Paris united 550+ experts, exploring the crossroads of Identity Management and Cybersecurity.
In Paris, on October 22nd, the fifth annual Identity Days transformed the city into a hub of insight on identity and access management (IAM) and digital security. Co-organized by MVPs Sylvain Cortes and Seyfallah Tagrerout, the event brought together 557 on-site attendees from across the cybersecurity community, each eager to delve into the latest advancements and challenges in identity management.
The event featured over 25 sessions with discussions that spanned identity in the cloud, privilege management, and secure use of tools like Microsoft EntraID and Active Directory. Attendees had the chance to immerse themselves in four parallel conference tracks, navigating a rich agenda of practical demonstrations, technical deep dives, and broader explorations of emerging IAM standards.
According to co-organizer Sylvain Cortes, the Identity Days began with an inspired idea that emerged from a surprising absence of identity-focused conferences in France, during a discussion at the MVP Summit 2018. “Digital identities are increasingly essential to cybersecurity,” Sylvain explained. “Yet, no event in France focused on this field in a vendor-neutral way. So, with Seyfallah Tagrerout, we set out to create an inclusive, hands-on gathering for IAM and cybersecurity professionals.”
The enthusiasm from attendees and speakers—like long-standing contributor and MVP Hakim Taoussi—underscored the unique value of in-person networking. With topics ranging from cloud-based identity solutions to open-source IAM, Identity Days fostered vibrant dialogues and shared learning. Demonstrations, particularly those showcasing EntraID’s latest features, captured strong interest from the audience, while sessions on on-premises topics reaffirmed the enduring relevance of legacy systems in the IAM landscape.
The day also provided a platform for CEFCYS, an association championing women’s roles in cybersecurity. Despite limited female speakers, the organizers remain committed to elevating female representation and fostering a more inclusive field.
Reflecting on the day’s success, Sylvain Cortes noted, “People need in-person interaction; there’s a unique energy when we unite the entire ecosystem for a day. The value of these exchanges is simply irreplaceable.”
If you are interested in more technical content, some of the sessions are available on the Identity Days YouTube channel.
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