The 404 Summit is coming to Microsoft Atlanta September 21–23, and Atlanta has already responded: the event is sold out and registration is closed.
Blacks In Technology Atlanta created the summit after BITCON moved to spring 2027. The group expanded the energy of its popular 404 Room into a three-day event built around technical learning, career growth, and community.
If you already secured a spot, make the most of it. If you missed registration, follow the official event listing in case the organizers share updates, but do not count on walk-up availability.
Why GRC engineers should pay attention
The 404 Summit is not a GRC conference. That is exactly why it belongs on our radar.
GRC engineers need to understand how technology is built, operated, and secured by the people doing the work. The summit includes workshops, panels, certification experiences, career programming, and time with BIT and Microsoft leaders.
Microsoft Atlanta also puts attendees close to a technology ecosystem many organizations depend on for cloud services, identity, collaboration, security, and AI. GRC practitioners are regularly asked to assess those systems, collect evidence from them, and translate their capabilities into controls.
Listen for the questions behind the sessions. How are teams controlling access? What evidence does a platform produce? Where does human judgment remain necessary? How are builders handling privacy, security, and AI risk while their ideas are still taking shape?
Those conversations make us better partners when it is time to review a system or help a team manage risk.
Build something and watch how teams work
Tuesday's program includes a hackathon with prizes. One of its featured challenges is connected to the Angel Reese Foundation.
Hackathons show how teams work under pressure. Participants choose tools, divide responsibilities, test ideas, and decide what a finished product needs. GRC engineers can contribute without pretending to be the strongest coder in the room.
Ask about data, access, testing, documentation, failure conditions, and the guardrails a project would need beyond the prototype. Those questions help teams build with risk in mind from the start.
The summit also includes hands-on workshops and learning tracks, so registered attendees should bring a laptop. A Career Ready Studio will connect participants with recruiters for résumé and LinkedIn feedback, along with interview preparation.
The networking will be peak
The summit opens Monday evening with a reception featuring food, music, games, and prizes. Tuesday and Wednesday bring the main programming at Microsoft Atlantic Yards. The event closes Wednesday evening with a rooftop social.
That gives attendees several chances to meet people beyond a quick introduction between sessions. Talk with builders, recruiters, Microsoft professionals, community leaders, and people making their own way into tech.
You may meet someone working on a system you have only seen from the compliance side. You may hear how another organization handles a familiar risk. You may find a mentor, collaborator, future speaker, or new professional connection.
Arrive curious and ready to participate. You do not need to know everything in the room to ask a useful question or make a real connection.
Know before you go
Registration is closed. If you have a ticket, check the information sent by the organizers because the Monday reception location will be disclosed directly to registered attendees.
The main Tuesday and Wednesday programming will take place at Microsoft Atlanta, 200 17th Street NW. The event supports the Blacks in Technology Foundation, with donations funding its programs and initiatives.
If you missed this one, keep watching our chapter events page for other opportunities to learn and connect across Atlanta.
If you already have your spot, bring your laptop, bring your questions, and pull up ready to participate.