Cybersecurity Conferences in South Africa

Just like the other chapters of BSides around the world, BSides Cape Town is an annual Information / Security conference that is different. We are a volunteer organised event, put on by and for the community. Each year there is a staff of committee members and volunteers. There is a nominal fee charged to the public to attend BSides Cape Town. Currently, almost 100% of our costs are covered by our generous donors and sponsors, who share our vision of sharing information. The conversations we start are always relevant to what’s happening right now and in many instances include practical demos instead of the old school lecture style cons. The Cape Town chapter of BSides can be dated back pre 2012. You can read more about that here. To get involved, keep an eye out on Meet-up and @0xc0ffee_cpt on twitter, and join our community of like minded hackers on the second Saturday of each month.

Converge Africa Frictionless digital commerce. Transacting seamlessly, without borders Africa's Premier Digital Commerce Event 4 - 6 May 2026, CTICC 1, Cape Town Converge Africa brings together digital commerce leaders and innovators to reimagine customer experiences, harness AI, and unlock cross-border growth across Africa’s digital economy. Converge Africa is where the continent’s digital economy converges for growth and the opportunity to seize a share of Africa’s $75 billion digital economy. Converge Africa is the must-attend conference and exhibition for digital commerce businesses who want to stay ahead in Africa’s fast-growing market. It brings together top industry leaders to explore innovative solutions across e-commerce, fintech, payments, logistics, and digital marketing and security, offering strategies to optimise customer experiences, secure transactions, and streamline delivery. Be part of Converge Africa, the region's leading digital conference and exhibition, and discover strategies to grow, innovate, and elevate your business. About Event: - 1,000+ attendees - 100+ speakers - 3 stages - 5 tracks Conference Tracks: 1. Retail & eCommerce Track Creating Seamless Customer Journeys In today’s retail landscape, customers expect a consistent and connected experience across all touchpoints, whether online or offline. The Retail & Ecommerce track at Converge Africa explores the strategies and technologies that enable businesses to integrate their online stores, mobile apps, and physical locations into a unified platform. Discover how to enhance customer satisfaction and drive loyalty by creating a seamless shopping experience that meets your customers wherever they are. From personalised marketing to unified inventory management, this track provides insights into building a robust omnichannel strategy that keeps your brand at the forefront of digital commerce. Topics / Key Learnings on the Converge Retail and eCommerce Track Scaling E-Commerce in Africa: Building a Sustainable Digital Ecosystem Discover how to create a robust and sustainable digital ecosystem to support the long-term growth of e-commerce in Africa. This session will delve into key strategies, infrastructure development, and collaborative opportunities that empower businesses to thrive in the continent's evolving digital marketplace. The Future of Retail: Transforming Consumer Engagement with Hyper-Personalisation Uncover how hyper-personalisation is reshaping the retail landscape by revolutionising consumer engagement and creating tailored shopping experiences. This session will explore strategies that enable retailers to deliver highly relevant, individualised interactions, driving customer loyalty and satisfaction.. From Click to Cart: Crafting Seamless Shopping Journeys Learn how to elevate customer experiences by creating seamless shopping journeys, from initial online engagement to final checkout. This session will explore strategies and technologies that ensure frictionless interactions, boost conversion rates, and enhance customer satisfaction in the digital commerce space. Can Luxury Scale from Brick-and-Mortar to E-Commerce Luxury is rooted in exclusivity, personalisation, and unparalleled experiences—elements traditionally delivered in the intimate settings of brick-and-mortar stores. But as the world embraces e-commerce, the luxury industry faces a pivotal question: Can these pillars of luxury be preserved and scaled in the digital realm. The revenue you’re missing out on - The future of retail media Explore how your retail business can capture untapped revenue from the biggest digital budgets in the world, drive more platform traffic, and increase your digital advertising margins through audience monetisation and strategic off-site advertising. Cloud Solutions for E-Commerce: Scalability and Performance Explore how cloud solutions boost scalability and performance for e-commerce platforms to meet growing demands. Striking the Right Chord: Building a Winning Omnichannel Strategy Discover how to design an effective omnichannel strategy that aligns with the expectations of today’s shoppers. This session will explore innovative approaches to creating cohesive, engaging shopping experiences across all touchpoints, driving customer loyalty and satisfaction in an increasingly connected world. Transforming Retail in Emerging Markets: Strategies for Growth, Efficiency, and Customer-Centricity Gain insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities in emerging markets by adopting innovative growth strategies, streamlining operations, and fostering a customer-centric approach. Adapting to the Fast-Changing Needs of the South African Consumer Strategies for Market Relevance – Exploring techniques to understand and meet the evolving expectations of South African consumers through targeted research and tailored marketing strategies. 2. Digital Marketing Track Digital Marketing: Driving Engagement and Conversion The Digital Marketing track is where creativity meets technology to fuel business growth. Explore the latest trends and tools that are redefining how brands connect with their audiences in the digital space. From targeted advertising and social media campaigns to content marketing and SEO, this track delves into the strategies that drive traffic, engagement, and conversion. Learn how to leverage data-driven insights, personalise customer interactions, and optimise your marketing efforts across multiple channels to ensure your brand stands out in a crowded marketplace. Topics / Key Learnings on the Digital Marketing Track Personalisation Through AI: Tailoring Customer Experiences AI-driven personalisation is transforming customer journeys by creating tailored and localised experiences. This session will explore the technologies and strategies that enable businesses to deliver highly relevant interactions, fostering deeper customer engagement and loyalty. The Future of Influencer Marketing: Authentic Voices and the Rise of Nano-Influencers Explore the shifting landscape of influencer marketing, where authenticity reigns supreme and nano-influencers gain prominence. This session will delve into the growing impact of smaller, highly engaged influencers and strategies to leverage their authentic voices to connect with niche audiences effectively. Implementing Customer Experience Strategies: Enhancing Satisfaction Across the Customer Journey Practical actions and insights on crafting effective customer experience strategies that resonate and foster loyalty throughout the entire journey. Dynamic Pricing with AI: Optimising for Real-Time Market Demand I-powered dynamic pricing strategies can transform revenue management by leveraging realtime data. This session will showcase practical approaches to adjusting prices based on market demand, customer behaviour, and competitive insights to maximise profitability and customer satisfaction. Exploring the Potential of Services eCommerce eCommerce is often viewed through the lens of retail, particularly focusing on tangible products and last-mile delivery. While this perspective has driven significant innovation and growth in the retail sector, it has inadvertently overshadowed the potential of Services eCommerce, an area ripe with opportunity but underrepresented in research, policy, and practice. Consumer Response to Opt-In Requirements Under POPI: Building Trust and Driving Engagement Understand how opt-in mandates under POPI impact consumer trust and marketing e=ectiveness. This session will draw lessons from GDPR implementations to explore strategies for enhancing transparency, fostering trust, and improving engagement through compliant and consumer-focused marketing practices. Crafting Impactful Campaigns Explore proven strategies and techniques for creating e=ective marketing campaigns. This session will cover key best practices, from personalisation and segmentation to optimising design and content, ensuring your emails resonate with audiences and drive meaningful engagement. 3. Payments & Fintech Track Powering Secure and Seamless Transactions The Payments & Fintech track focuses on the financial backbone of e-commerce and retail. As digital payments continue to evolve, businesses must navigate the complexities of secure and efficient transaction processing. This track covers the latest innovations in payment gateways, mobile wallets, and fintech solutions that are transforming how customers pay for goods and services. Explore the impact of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI on payments, and learn how to implement secure, compliant, and user-friendly payment systems that enhance the customer experience while driving business growth. Topics / Key Learnings on the Payments & Fintech Track Financial Inclusion: Expanding access to financial services for unbanked and underbanked populations through mobile banking and digital wallets. Cross-Border Payments: Addressing the challenges of cross-border transactions, including currency exchange, regulatory compliance, and remittance costs. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating complex regulatory environments, including AML, KYC, and data protection laws in Southern Africa. Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies: Exploring the potential and challenges of using blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies for secure, transparent transactions. Mobile Payment Solutions: Leveraging mobile technology to create accessible, affordable payment solutions for consumers and businesses. Cybersecurity in Fintech: Implementing robust security measures to protect against fraud, hacking, and data breaches in digital payment systems. Partnerships between Banks and FinTech's: Fostering collaboration between traditional financial institutions and fintech startups to drive innovation and expand service offerings. Consumer Trust and Education: Building trust among consumers in digital payment platforms and educating them on the benefits and risks of fintech solutions. Sustainable Finance: Integrating sustainability into fintech operations, including green finance initiatives and ethical investment products. Scalability and Innovation: Ensuring fintech solutions can scale to meet growing demand while continuing to innovate in a competitive market. 4. Digital Security Track Safeguarding the E-Commerce Ecosystem In the digital age, security is paramount. The Digital Security track addresses the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures across the e-commerce ecosystem. As businesses increasingly rely on digital platforms, protecting customer data and securing transactions have never been more important. This track offers deep insights into the latest threats, from cyberattacks to data breaches, and explores the strategies and technologies that can safeguard your operations. Learn how to build a resilient security infrastructure, ensure compliance with regulations, and maintain customer trust in an ever-evolving threat landscape. Topics / Key Learnings on the Digital Security Track Building Consumer Trust Through Digital Security Strategies to build consumer trust in eCommerce through visible security measures, transparent data handling, and secure payment processes. Challenges and Solutions for Securing Mobile E-Commerce Transactions in Africa Identifying mobile transaction risks and implementing best practices for securing mobile eCommerce experiences Managing Human Risk: Strengthening Cyber Defence Through People Explore strategies to mitigate human vulnerabilities in cybersecurity by fostering awareness, building a culture of vigilance, and leveraging training programs. This session will examine how empowering employees with the right tools and knowledge strengthens the human element in cyber defence, reducing risks and safeguarding digital ecosystems. Evolution vs. Revolution: The Role of AI in Shaping Cybersecurity Debate whether AI is propelling incremental advancements or driving disruptive innovations in cybersecurity. This session will explore the transformative impact of AI on threat detection, response mechanisms, and the overall cybersecurity landscape, highlighting its potential to redefine the industry's future. Combating Third-Party Seller Scams on Online Retail Platforms Dive into the mechanics of third-party seller scams on legitimate retail websites and learn how to identify warning signs. This session will provide insights into protecting consumers and implementing best practices for retailers to prevent fraud and maintain trust in their platforms. The Dual Role of AI: Balancing Threats and Opportunities in Cybersecurity Explore the dual impact of AI in cybersecurity as both a powerful tool for defence and a potential enabler of advanced threats. Blockchain Technology for Enhancing Transaction Security Discover how banks are utilising blockchain technology to enhance the security of eCommerce transactions. This session will explore the benefits and challenges of implementing blockchain in digital security, highlighting its role in mitigating fraud and ensuring trust in the online marketplace. Human-Centric Cybersecurity: Designing Systems with User Experience in Mind Explore the importance of prioritising user experience in cybersecurity design to create systems that are both secure and intuitive. This session will delve into strategies for reducing user errors, enhancing adoption rates, and fostering a culture of security awareness through human-centric design principles. Benefits of Blockchain in eCommerce: Enhancing Security and Transparency Explore how blockchain technology is transforming eCommerce by enhancing fraud prevention, supply chain management, and transaction security. This session will delve into the advantages of blockchain’s immutability and transparency, showcasing its potential to alter trust and efficiency in the digital marketplace. Balancing Business Innovations with Cybersecurity and Compliance Delve into the intricate balance of fostering business innovation while ensuring robust cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. This session will explore strategies for aligning creative advancements with security protocols and legal frameworks, empowering organisations to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Rise in Cyberattacks Against Online Banking in South Africa Examining the increase in cyberattacks since 2020 and the specific challenges for improving digital security. The Evolving Threat of Social Media Hijacking: Safeguarding Your Brand Reputation Explore the latest tactics employed in social media hijacking and their potential to harm brand image and consumer trust. This session will provide actionable strategies for identifying vulnerabilities, implementing defences, and responding effectively to protect your brand in the digital age. Balancing Compliance and Business Needs: Protecting Data While Driving Growth Learn effective strategies to safeguard sensitive data while meeting regulatory compliance requirements. This session will explore how businesses can align security measures with operational goals, ensuring data protection without compromising innovation or efficiency. AI in Cybersecurity: Balancing Strategic Risks and Opportunities Examine the transformative role of AI in cybersecurity, highlighting both the strategic risks and the opportunities it presents. 5. Fulfilment & Last Mile Track Delivering Excellence to Your Customers The final step in the customer journey is often the most critical, getting the product into the hands of the customer. The Order Fulfilment & Last Mile track explores the logistics and delivery strategies that ensure this process is as smooth and efficient as possible. From warehousing solutions and inventory management to last-mile delivery innovations, this track provides a comprehensive look at how to optimise your supply chain to meet customer expectations. Discover how to enhance delivery speed, reduce costs, and create a reliable fulfilment process that drives repeat business and customer satisfaction. Topics / Key Learnings on the Converge Fulfilment and last mile track From Checkout to Doorstep: The Art and Science of Personalised Fulfilment This panel addresses how personalisation is reshaping the fulfilment process in an increasingly omnichannel world. As consumer expectations evolve, businesses must go beyond speed and efficiency, offering tailored delivery experiences that align with individual preferences. The discussion will explore innovative approaches to personalising fulfilment, from flexible delivery options to real-time communication and sustainable packaging. It will also tackle operational complexities, such as managing costs, leveraging data, and ensuring seamless integration across channels. Predicting Trends and Managing Inventory – Using AI for Market Insights, Inventory Eiciency, and Understanding Consumer Trends Description: Discover how AI-driven tools can transform inventory management by predicting market trends and consumer behaviour with precision. This session will showcase how leveraging AI insights enhances inventory efficiency, reduces overstock and stockouts, and ensures businesses stay ahead in responding to ever-changing consumer demands Delivering Omnichannel Fulfilment Speed, Agility, and Resilience to Drive Competitiveness and Growth Explore strategies to enhance fulfilment operations by integrating speed, flexibility, and resilience across omnichannel platforms. Reducing the Carbon Footprint Associated with Your Retail Fulfilment Operations Learn actionable strategies to minimise the environmental impact of your retail fulfilment processes. This session will explore sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and operational adjustments that reduce carbon emissions, helping businesses align with eco-conscious consumer expectations and global sustainability goals. Fulfilment Optimisation with Data and Automation Uncover how data-driven insights and automation can positively alter fulfilment operations. This session will highlight cutting-edge solutions for streamlining processes, reducing errors, and enhancing efficiency, enabling businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences while driving operational excellence. The Future of Last-Mile Delivery: Balancing Cost and Consumer Expectations Dive into the transformative "Own Them All" approach to unified commerce, where multiple orders are streamlined into a single seamless platform. This session will explore how creating an integrated ecosystem enhances the consumer experience, simplifies operations, and drives efficiency, positioning businesses for success in a highly competitive marketplace. Building Resilient Supply Chains in Africa Discover how to navigate Africa's unique geographical and infrastructural challenges by adopting best practices and forging strategic partnerships. This session will explore innovative solutions to enhance supply chain resilience, improve efficiency, and streamline last-mile delivery, empowering businesses to thrive in the continent's dynamic markets. Leveraging AI and Emerging Technologies to Optimise Delivery Explore how AI and emerging technologies are revolutionising delivery processes by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and elevating the customer experience. This session will showcase cutting-edge advancements and practical applications that enable businesses to stay competitive in an increasingly digital and on-demand world. Township Fulfilment: Digital Integration Challenges Gain insights into the unique hurdles of implementing digital solutions within township economies to enhance fulfilment and logistics operations. This session will explore innovative approaches and success stories, focusing on bridging the digital divide to drive efficiency and economic growth in underserved communities. Intelligent eProcurement and Supplier Relationship Management Discover how strategic and tactical spend analytics can transform eProcurement processes and foster stronger supplier relationships. This session will explore intelligent tools and datadriven strategies that enhance procurement efficiency, optimise costs, and build collaborative supplier partnerships for long-term success. Last-Mile Delivery Challenges in Africa Address the unique challenges of last-mile delivery in Africa, from fragmented logistics networks to final delivery hurdles. This session will explore innovative solutions and strategies to optimise last-mile delivery, ensuring efficiency and reliability across diverse and complex markets on