Following the success of CIISec LIVE last November, we’re pleased to announce the theme for this year’s event: ‘People Powered – Resilience Built on Human Insight’.
It didn’t take long to land on this theme. As AI and automation reshape both the threat landscape and the defenders working to protect us, the human element has never been more important. Technology will continue to change, but it is people, and their judgement, adaptability and experience, who will determine whether that evolution strengthens or undermines resilience.
In the right hands, AI can be a genuine force for good, accelerating threat analysis and hunting, and reducing the operational load that has long burdened security teams. But it is a double-edged sword. The same technology is lowering the bar to entry for attackers and helping more experienced threat actors become more effective. It’s scaling phishing campaigns, generating convincing deepfakes and automating vulnerability exploitation at a pace and volume that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
What unites AI-driven threats is that technology alone cannot counter them. There will always be a need for human judgement – something no algorithm can replicate. For the time being at least, machines cannot weigh context, apply ethical reasoning or understand the organisational nuance behind a security decision. They cannot read the room during an incident or navigate the competing priorities that shape real-world security posture. Those calls still belong to people.
Cyber security professionals understand the risks and opportunities of AI better than almost any sector. This positions the profession well to take the lead in shaping AI’s safe and effective adoption across industry and government.
CIISec LIVE will be an ideal forum to discuss people powered resilience with professional peers. Conversations are likely to touch on:
- Responsibility and how it extends beyond our own organisations. As AI governance moves from theory to practice, it will fall on security professionals to help others understand what ‘good’ looks like. Not just within their own walls, but across supply chains, partnerships and the wider business landscape.
- The skills question. Expertise in AI, data science and risk management is already embedded in sectors like finance, engineering and healthcare. Attracting these transferable skill sets will be key to building a future-ready security workforce.
- Harnessing the hype. AI has sparked an interest in technology among young people unlike anything we’ve seen before, and an entire generation is growing up fascinated by its potential. With the spotlight on technology, the cybersecurity profession has a narrow window to turn that curiosity into commitment. Together, we can channel raw enthusiasm into structured professional pathways before it drifts elsewhere: especially towards adversarial territory.
CIISec LIVE 2026 will explore these themes and more, building on a stellar roster of speakers from last year’s event. BBC cybersecurity reporter Joe Tidy spoke on the alarming rise of teenage cybercrime, Jim Shook from Dell discussed resilience, regulation and AI, and panels came together around issues including cyber threats in transport and the need for cross-sector collaboration. These were just a few of the excellent, thought-provoking sessions, and this year’s line-up promises to raise the bar further.
Would you like to be on the stage at LIVE?
To be considered as a presenter at LIVE, please complete our Commissioning Form.
We’re unable to accept speaker requests without a completed form. Once submitted, your proposal will be reviewed by the LIVE Steering Committee, and you will receive a response.
Download the form here > CIISec_LIVE_commissioning_form
Exhibit at LIVE
All premium sponsor packages are sold out – however, a limited number of exhibition spaces remain. If you’re a cyber security vendor looking to connect with our highly influential, professionally accredited membership, then LIVE offers one of the most cost‑effective and high‑impact opportunities in the sector. Exhibitors benefit from exclusivity (we only sell a limited number), engaged decision‑makers, and a community actively seeking credible solutions and partners. A full sponsorship brochure will be available shortly.
In the meantime, please email dominic.louks@ciisec.org to register your interest and receive follow‑up information.
Book your Place at Conference
Early‑bird registration is now open — offering savings of at least 25% on the standard booking fee.
CIISec Members can attend the conference from just £110, or £160 if you’d like to include the evening networking reception with bowl food and drinks. Click here for booking site
Corporate Members and CIISec Fellows attend for free.
To claim your complimentary place or to check eligibility, please email membership@ciisec.org.
