Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Australia’s largest annual cyber security conference, expecting over 5,500 attendees across three days in Melbourne.
- Programming spans technical deep dives, policy and governance updates, AI, quantum computing, and workforce development.
- Includes the RSAC CISO Boot Camp for professionals pursuing executive security roles.
- Interactive villages cover hands-on activities including Locksport and Drone experiences.
- Designed for practitioners, CISOs, policy makers, academics, students, and government and critical infrastructure organisations.
About CyberCon 2026
CyberCon 2026 takes place from 14 to 16 October 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference theme, “Empowered Together,” centres on collaboration between industry, government, academia, and practitioners to strengthen collective resilience against evolving threats. The program combines keynotes, panels, workshops, think tanks, and interactive villages, alongside dedicated networking and social events.
Technical and Strategic Content
Sessions address both technical and strategic concerns. Security engineers can attend deep-dive technical sessions, while executive and governance tracks cover regulatory updates and policy developments affecting Australian organisations. Emerging technology sessions examine AI and quantum computing in the context of next-generation threats, exploring how these technologies reshape both offensive and defensive capabilities.
The RSAC CISO Boot Camp provides a dedicated program for professionals preparing to move into chief information security officer roles, covering the leadership, business, and strategic skills required at the executive level.
Interactive Villages and Hands-On Learning
CyberCon 2026 features several interactive villages offering practical, hands-on experiences. These include a Locksport Village for physical security enthusiasts, a Drone Village, and LEGO-based activities. These spaces provide opportunities to develop skills outside traditional conference formats and engage with security concepts through direct participation.
Workforce Development and Diversity
Career development features prominently, with content addressing talent pipelines, skills gaps, and retention challenges facing the cyber security sector. Dedicated Women in Cyber events support diversity and inclusion initiatives within the industry. Students and early-career professionals will find programming tailored to entering and advancing in the field.
Who Should Attend
CyberCon 2026 serves cyber security practitioners, engineers, and analysts alongside CISOs and those aspiring to executive security roles. Policy makers, regulators, academics, and researchers will find relevant governance and research content. The conference also caters to vendors, solution providers, and organisations operating in government, enterprise, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Sponsors
Sponsors include CyberCX, Ctrl Cyber, Fortinet, Cisco, Google, Palo Alto Networks, SentinelOne, Mimecast, Wiz, Tech Data, Netpoleon ANZ, Cyera, Canberra Cyber Hub, Chillisoft, Island Technology, Triskele Labs, Concentric AI, Huntress, and TrendAI.