diff --git a/.github/workflows/mirroring.yml b/.github/workflows/validate+sync.yml
similarity index 52%
rename from .github/workflows/mirroring.yml
rename to .github/workflows/validate+sync.yml
index 7738d384..e7ad67e0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mirroring.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate+sync.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-name: Mirroring
+name: validate & sync
 
 on:
   workflow_dispatch:
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ on:
     branches: [ master ]
 
 jobs:
-  linter:
+  lint-and-validate:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
@@ -16,7 +16,22 @@ jobs:
     - name: PHP Lint
       uses: michaelw90/PHP-Lint@2.1.0
 
+    - name: Check for any changed config.json files
+      id: check-for-changed-configs
+      uses: tj-actions/changed-files@v41
+      with:
+        files: |
+          configs/conferences/**/config.json
+    
+    - name: Validate json files
+      if: steps.check-for-changed-configs.outputs.any_changed == 'true'
+      uses: dsanders11/json-schema-validate-action
+      with:
+        schema: docs/config-schema.json
+        files: configs/conferences/**/config.json 
+
   mirror:
+    if: secrets.SSH_PRIVATE_KEY != ''
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4