Exeter, United Kingdom – 5th January 2026 – BSides Exeter is set to return for its third run in April, with doors opening on main event on 25th April 2026, and on 24th April 2026 a pre-event free, professional training day for those willing to contribute to charitable causes, alongside activities and mini-events for young people aspiring to become cyber professionals.
The 2026 event is focused on showing the innumerable paths into cyber that makes the sector the vibrant, accepting space that it is today. Hosted at the University of Exeter, the community-driven cyber security event aims to attract 400 attendees, following last year’s turnout of over 350 people. BSides Exeter brings together people from a diverse range of backgrounds, making the event an inclusive platform for both current and aspiring cyber security professionals.
BSides Exeter’s Next Gen Sessions also return for 2026, with a series of events and engagement opportunities for the next generation of young cyber professionals of the future which includes an opportunity for individuals, schools and colleges to compete in Robotic Footballing Battle Bots. BSides Exeter will also have a series of Game Development Sessions and Retro Computing villages and workshops.
General admission tickets for 2026 are now on sale, and the call for papers is now open for those with a story to tell.
Young people are also encouraged to enter BSides Exeter’s Pixel Art Competition and get their design on limited edition BSides Exeter t-shirts along with other prizes.
Paying it forward
The day before the main BSides Exeter event, on Friday 24th April, will see a series of professional training workshops provided by sponsors, with participants encouraged to donate to Children’s Hospice South West as part of attendance. This pre-event will offer learning opportunities for individuals at all levels of experience.
Curiosity built the cyber professional
For 2026, BSides Exeter will be exploring the theme “curiosity built the cyber pro” which will look at how every cyber security and digital forensics professional started the same way—curious, determined, and probably told to “get off that computer!” or “you’ve been online too long!”
Organised by Adam Langley, Liam Glanfield, Peter Jones, and Stuart Baker, alongside a supporting cast of volunteers, the 2026 event aims to offer professionals across the South West, career changers and students the opportunity to connect with the south west cyber community, businesses and organisations both regionally and nationally.
Peter Jones, co-organiser of BSides Exeter, said: “No one career journey into cyber security is the same, we’re capturing that range of experiences in the our keynotes and speakers this year. With the growing importance of securing UK businesses, public bodies and charities against cyber threats, it’s important to show that there’s more than one way into a cyber career.”
Get involved: How you can participate
Individuals and organisations interested in attending, sponsoring, or contributing to BSides Exeter 2026 are encouraged to visit https://bsidesexeter.co.uk for more information.
