Call for Papers
IEEE Workshop on Big Data analysis AND Illicit Trends - b&it (BANDIT)
IEEE Big Data 2026 | December 14-17, 2026 | Phoenix, Arizona, USA (Hybrid)
Overview:
The 3rd International Workshop on Big Data Analysis and Illicit Trends aims to bring together interdisciplinary research on how big data analytics can expose, understand, and counteract illicit and harmful behavior on the Surface, Deep, and Dark Web. While the internet has revolutionized communication and commerce, it also serves as a platform for misinformation, identity fraud, cybercrime, and illicit trade. This workshop focuses on advanced methods to mine data, detect criminal patterns, trace illicit financial flows, and assess the societal impacts of online risks, with a special focus on the combination of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI). We welcome contributions that offer novel insights, tools, datasets, or frameworks to monitor, analyze, and respond to criminal behavior and misinformation online.
The workshop will be held in conjunction with IEEE Big Data 2026, taking place in Phoenix (Arizona), USA, from December 14-17, 2025.
This is a Hybrid event, allowing for both in-person presentations and remote participation.
Important Dates
Consider 23:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE) for every date below:
Submission due (full and short papers): Oct 26, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Nov 7, 2026
Camera-ready: Nov 13, 2026
Workshop & Conference: Dec 14–17, 2026
Topics of Interest
The topics of interest related to the workshop include, but are not limited to:
Cyber Threat Intelligence and Automation
- Actionable Cyber Threat Intelligence: From Detection to Response
- Automation of Threat Analysis and Threat Hunting
- Best Practices and Frameworks for Cyber Threat Intelligence
- AI-Driven Automation for Threat Detection in Complex Environments
- Neurosymbolic AI in Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Ontology-based Methods in Cyber Threat Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning on Cybercrime Marketplaces
- AI and Machine Learning for Criminal Pattern Analysis
- AI Methods for CAPTCHA-Solving and Circumvention Techniques
- Big Data Analysis of User Behaviour in Dark Web Marketplaces
- Big Data Analysis of Criminal Behavior in Social Media
- Big Data Analysis for Criminal Networks
- Big Data Blockchain Analysis and Bitcoin laundering
- Explainable AI in Support of Criminal Investigations and Prosecution
- Social Media Privacy and Security
- Societal Impact of Cybercriminal Behaviour
- Trend Analysis of Drugs and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
AI & Data-driven Defense of Networked Systems
- Data-driven Adaptive Moving-Target Defense using Large-Scale Threat Intelligence
- Scalable AI-based Threat/Intrusion Detection in 5G/6G Data Streams
- Big Data analytics for secure vehicular network communications
- LLM-driven Threat Intelligence and adversarial defense at scale
- Big Data-enabled Intrusion Tolerance for Cyber-Physical systems
Misinformation & Online Influence
- Analysis of the Role and the Impact of Misinformation in Online Platforms
- Identification of Disinformation Campaigns in Online Platforms with AI.
- Disinformation and Echo Chambers
- Study of online debates to identify segregation, hate speech, and extreme polarization
- The influence of coordinated automated account networks in online communities
Submission Requirements and Guidelines:
The workshop encourages submissions of full papers and short papers from academia, industry, government, and law enforcement. Accepted papers must be compliant with the IEEE Big Data 2026 formatting guidelines using the IEEE 2-column format and will be included in the IEEE Workshop proceedings. Short papers will also be presented and may be featured during a poster session.
Types of papers:
- Short papers (position papers, vision papers and extended abstracts): 4-6 pages
- Full papers: 8-10 pages including references
Review process: Each submission will be peer-reviewed by at least three experts from the Steering Committee. Evaluation criteria include relevance to the workshop, technical quality, originality, clarity, and potential to stimulate discussion. Selected position papers may be invited and peer-reviewed with shepherding support from the organizing committee. Accepted contributions will be presented during highly interactive workshop sessions designed to foster engagement across academia, industry, government, and law enforcement.
