Why Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2026 Should Be in Your Calendar
Ireland's largest cybersecurity gathering is back for its ninth year. Renaissance, Ireland's leading IT security distributor, is delighted to announce the return of Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland, and we can now confirm the full conference programme.
Whether you're an MSP looking to expand your security portfolio, an IT professional navigating compliance demands, or a business leader trying to make sense of the evolving threat landscape, this is your chance to connect with the people and solutions that can help. Join us on Wednesday, 20th May 2026 at Leopardstown Pavilion, Dublin, from 8am to 5pm. The event is free to attend.
The Threats Have Changed. The Event Has Kept Pace.
The cybersecurity challenges Irish organisations face today barely resemble those of even two or three years ago. AI isn't just a talking point anymore; it's actively being used by threat actors to automate attacks, craft convincing phishing campaigns, and probe for vulnerabilities at machine speed. At the same time, regulatory pressure has intensified, with NIS2 and DORA now in force and reshaping how organisations approach security and compliance.
This year's programme has been built around the reality that Irish businesses are operating in right now: one where AI sits on both sides of the battle, where ransomware tactics continue to evolve, and where supply chain risk has become everyone's problem.
The 2026 Programme: Now Confirmed
We're pleased to announce the full conference programme for this year's event. The day opens with a keynote, which will set the tone by examining how geopolitical disruption, state-sponsored attacks, and the weaponisation of AI are reshaping the threat landscape for Irish organisations.
From there, the programme spans eight dedicated streams, each designed to go deep on the issues that matter most right now:
Attack, Defend, Govern: The AI Security Playbook.
AI is now embedded in every layer of cybersecurity. This stream tackles the full picture: autonomous offensive operations, AI-driven SOCs, shadow AI risk, the EU AI Act, and what it takes to build a secure organisation when the technology is moving faster than the policy.
Identity Compromise, Deception and the Human Attack Surface.
Attackers don't need to find a vulnerability when they can steal a credential or trick a human. This session examines how social engineering and identity attacks are converging, and what practical defences look like when AI-generated phishing is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
The Compliance Reality Check: What Irish Organisations Actually Need to Do
The NIS2 and DORA deadlines have passed and regulators are watching. This session moves beyond theory into what compliance actually looks like in practice, including incident reporting, supply chain risk requirements, board-level accountability, and lessons from organisations that have been through the process.
When Prevention Fails: Ransomware, Recovery and Operational Resilience
The question is no longer whether you'll face a serious incident but how quickly you can recover. This stream addresses the full lifecycle from prevention through to containment and recovery, including the critical importance of immutable backups and the often-overlooked challenge of Active Directory restoration.
Layered Defence: Protecting Data and Infrastructure Across Your Environment
No single control point is sufficient. This session brings together endpoint, network, cloud, and data security perspectives to explore how organisations can build defences that actually work together, with particular focus on the risks introduced by generative AI adoption, insider threats, and the operational reality of alert fatigue.
Keeping the Lights On: Protecting the Critical Systems That Run Ireland
Attacks on OT environments have moved from theoretical to routine. This session addresses the unique challenges of securing environments where availability trumps confidentiality, legacy systems can't be patched, and a breach can have physical consequences.
From Deepfakes to Quantum: The Next Wave of Threats You Need to Prepare For Now
Deepfake technology is already being used to impersonate executives and bypass verification. Quantum computing threatens the encryption we rely on today. This session cuts through the noise to focus on the emerging threats Irish organisations need to take seriously now, not in five years' time.
Scaling Security: Building Profitable MSP Practices for 2026
A dedicated stream for managed service providers and channel partners, addressing security service delivery models, evolving customer expectations around compliance and cyber insurance, and practical approaches to vendor selection and stack consolidation.
The day closes with a panel, Security Leadership 2026: What Keeps CISOs Awake at Night, bringing together security leaders from across Irish industry for an honest conversation about skills shortages, board-level expectations, AI governance, and what it actually takes to keep an organisation secure this year.
More Than a Conference: On the Expo Floor
The day brings together cybersecurity vendors, channel partners, IT teams, and business decision-makers for a mix of practical learning and hands-on exploration. You'll hear from organisations who've implemented security and compliance solutions in the real world, with case studies that go beyond the theory.
Between sessions, you'll have the opportunity to meet leading security vendors on the expo floor, see live demonstrations, and speak directly with specialists who can answer your specific questions. It's a rare chance to explore multiple solutions in one place and have genuine conversations about what would actually work for your organisation.
Over 25 global cybersecurity vendors will be exhibiting, alongside more than 20 Ireland-based MSPs, VARs, and industry specialists. Whether you're from a large enterprise evaluating your next security investment or an SMB trying to understand where your biggest vulnerabilities lie, the expo floor alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Last year's event drew over 250+ attendees from across Ireland, including technical leaders, business owners, compliance officers, and IT teams, and we're expecting even stronger numbers this May.
Why This Year Matters More Than Most
The pace of change in cybersecurity has never been faster. Irish organisations are contending with AI-powered threats that didn't exist eighteen months ago, regulatory frameworks that demand demonstrable compliance, and an attack surface that keeps expanding as businesses digitise further.
Events like this exist because no organisation can navigate that landscape alone. The vendors, MSPs, and experts gathered at Leopardstown on 20th May represent a concentrated resource: one day where you can pressure-test your strategy, discover solutions you didn't know existed, and hear from peers who are facing the same challenges.
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for IT and security professionals, MSPs and resellers, and business leaders responsible for technology and risk decisions within Irish organisations. If cybersecurity and compliance are on your agenda, you'll find value here. Please note this is a business-focused event and is not suitable for students.
Register Now: It's Free
Cyber Expo & Conference Ireland 2026 takes place on Wednesday, 20th May at Leopardstown Pavilion, Leopardstown Racecourse, from 8am to 5pm.
We'll be announcing our full speaker lineup, exhibitor list, and agenda in the coming weeks. Visit cyberexpoireland.ie for updates or follow us on LinkedIn.