CYDEF2026 Symbol Mark Design Competition – Guidelines

1. Purpose

The Organization for Cyber Defense Innovation hosts the international cyber defense conference “CYDEF” annually in Tokyo.

CYDEF is an international platform that brings together experts from government, industry, academia, military and security communities, and international organizations to discuss cyber defense, resilience, innovation, and international cooperation, and to foster concrete collaboration.

A symbol mark is created for each conference based on its theme. This year, we have decided to open the design to public submissions.

This year’s theme is “National Resilience in the Age of AI.” We welcome creative works that express this theme freely and imaginatively.

2. Eligibility

• Open to professionals and amateurs of any age and nationality.
• Submissions may be made individually or as a group.

3. Submission Requirements

(1) Unpublished Works Only

Submissions must be original, unpublished works created by the applicant.

Works must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, or any other rights of third parties.

(2) File Format

Required: Please attach files in AI (Adobe Illustrator) or SVG format, along with one of the following:

PNG (transparent background) or JPEG

Recommended specifications:

Resolution: 300 dpi or higher

Image size: Longest side 3,000 pixels or more

Color mode: RGB

If you wish, you may also include a written description of the concept and background behind your design.

4. Number of Submissions

There is no limit to the number of submissions. However, please submit each work separately.

5. Judging

The CYDEF2026 Organizing Committee will conduct a comprehensive review based on the following criteria:

Alignment with the conference theme

Originality

Visibility and versatility

Impact and communicability both domestically and internationally

6. Use of Selected Work

• The selected work will be adopted as the official symbol mark of CYDEF and used in conference materials, the website, publications, promotional materials, novelty items, videos, and more.
• The organizer reserves the right to make modifications or adjustments to the selected work as necessary.

7. Copyright

• All copyrights, usage rights, and any other rights related to the selected work shall be transferred to the organizer free of charge.
• The applicant agrees not to exercise their moral rights as the author.

8. Prize

As a token of our appreciation, donors who send their name, mailing address, and donation amount to the email address below will receive a special commemorative gift.
Please send the required information to:
Yokoso.cydef@cydef.org

9. Submission Deadline

Friday, July 31, 2026

10. How to Apply

Please send your submission by email with the subject line “Symbol Mark Submission (Your Name / Group Name)” and include the following information:

Full name

Affiliation (optional)

Nationality

Contact email address

Design concept (approx. 300 characters)

Submission file(s)

Send to: Yokoso.cydef@cydef.org