BSides Exeter: Curiosity Built The Cyber Pro?

BSides Exeter is set to return for its third run in April, with doors opening on main event, at The Forum, on 25th April 2026, and on 24th April 2026 a pre-event free, professional training day for those willing to contribute to charitable causes.

The 2026 event is focused on the theme “curiosity built the cyber pro”, helping to showcase the innumerable paths into cyber that makes the sector the vibrant, accepting space that it is today. Hosted on site at The Forum in the University of Exeter for a third year, with support from the University of Exeter’s Department for Computer Science, the community-driven cyber security event has a growing attendance and this year aims to attract 400 attendees, following last year’s successful bringing together of over 350 cyber security experts, students, enthusiasts and newcomers. Exeter Cyber Security Society members have been key supporters of BSides Exeter since the society was founded in 2024.

General admission tickets for 2026 are on sale now.
 

Call for papers open until 3rd March 2026

Along with looking for talks from experienced veterans of the field, the current call for papers also offers an opportunity for first time speakers, students and new cyber professionals, and career-changers to talk as part of rookie sessions, which returns for a second year.

Rookie sessions are 20-minute long talks, where regular talk slots are looking for submissions of around 35-40 minutes in length. BSides Exeter connects rookie speakers with a mentor who can help guide them with their talk creation and help them understand ahead of time what to expect.

Outside of rookie sessions, the conference tracks for BSides Exeter 2026 are:

• Blue Track – Defence

• Red Track – Attack

• Purple Track – Mixed

Talks will be recorded and uploaded to BSides Exeter’s YouTube channel after the event. (Those not wanting to have their talk shared this way, are able to opt out.)

Got a story to tell? You can submit to the call for papers now. The deadline for submissions is 3rd March 2026.

 

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.
 

Why “curiosity built the cyber pro”?

In its exploration of curiosity built the cyber professional, BSides Exeter 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 students, career changers and professionals across the South West 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, speaking at, sponsoring, or contributing to BSides Exeter 2026 are encouraged to visit https://bsidesexeter.co.uk for more information.

Students are also encouraged to explore opportunities to volunteer at this year’s event https://forms.microsoft.com/e/vXYAHxXJSQ


For more information, visit https://bsidesexeter.co.uk

For photos and a logo you can use, visit https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/xa1xnc533x7xujwa038m3/AIjq64P75MgXyhHpkVcmUh0?rlkey=tr371lttfmezk8ec5mn0wd6zr&st=vmqqdvsi&dl=0
 

About:

BSides Exeter is a grassroots cyber security community, organising events to help people in the South West and beyond learn more about cyber. Part of the 230+ event global BSides movement, BSides Exeter is open to all who are interested in learning more about cyber security and careers in it.

 

For further inquiries, please contact either:

Achim D. Brucker

Professor (Chair in Cybersecurity) University of Exeter, and Steering Committee Member BSides Exeter

A.Brucker@exeter.ac.uk

Or

Emily King

Press Officer, BSides Exeter

emily@bsidesexeter.co.uk