About Security Conference 2026
Building a stronger sector through collaboration and strategic defence: 24-25 November 2026 at Manchester Central and online
In the tenth year of our Security Conference, we’re looking to secure the present and prepare for the future of cyber security.
Together we’ll explore how institutions can create secure infrastructure, adaptive systems and invest in training and awareness to build a stronger education and research sector.
Programme themes
Three key themes will run across the two day event in this year’s programme, including:
Resilience and response
- Protecting research and education from evolving cyber threats
- State aligned and state sponsored targeting of research
- Protecting identity: phishing, credential stealing (top global threat) and insider risk
- Supply chain compromise and third-party compromise
- Leadership, collaboration and preparedness: long term strategy in a short-term world
- Stronger governance: the importance of boards and tackling new enforcement and legislative changes
- Digital supply chain dependency and legislative changes
Secure foundations
- Identity, infrastructure and assurance for complex digital estates
- Identity protection challenges
- Cloud security maturity
- Securing research environments and sensitive data
- Assuring critical services under new legal expectations (cyber security and resilience bill/CAF and NIS)
- Cyber Essentials
- OT/IoT security in modern campuses
- Leadership focus: building resilient infrastructure for today and the future
Collaborative people and processes
- Awareness and human risk reduction
- Member stories from incidents and recovery journeys
- Leadership focus: governance and leadership responsibilities
- Community knowledge-sharing
- Skills development and diversity in cyber
- Coordinated response between institutions, Jisc, NCSC and law enforcement
Programme sessions
This year’s programme includes:
- Presentations: a deep dive into a specific topic
- Lightning talks: a quick-fire talk grouped with other speakers on the same subject
- Panel discussions: a group discussion on a subject offering a variety of perspectives
- Workshops: a group discussion involving participation from attendees on a specific topic
Security Conference 2026 is a CPD-accredited event
We are a member of the CPD Certification Service - by attending Security Conference you could add this learning time towards your individual continuing professional development goals. After the event, attendees receive a digital certificate with CPD points to add to your personal log or organisational file.
Venue
Security Conference 2026 takes place at Manchester Central Convention Complex, Windmill Steet, Manchester, M2 3GX.
Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities
At Security Conference, you'll find IT decision-makers and influencers from education, research and the public sector. If you're interested in raising awareness of your brand or networking with leaders in the edtech community at next year's event, email exhibitors.securityconf@jisc.ac.uk to discuss your sponsorship options with us.
Contact us
Email secconf@jisc.ac.uk for more information.