London, UK - 20 October 2022 - With over 4,500 visitors from countries including the UK, Ireland, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, United States, and others, plus 130+ exhibitors, Nineteen Group’s inaugural standalone cybersecurity event, International Cyber Expo 2022 held at London Olympia on the 27th and 28th of September, proved to be a huge success. The event saw a packed agenda of 50+ talks, demos, presentations and CISO roundtable discussions led by world-renowned cybersecurity experts including Chair of International Cyber Expo’s Advisory Council, Ciaran Martin CB, Professor at Oxford University. 

 

The dates for next year’s event have been announced and will take place on 26th and 27th of September 2023. To register your interest in attending, visit: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/register-interest-2023 

 

Created for the community by the community, the event welcomed a high calibre of guests, including senior cybersecurity professionals from household names such as Google, Microsoft, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Network Rail and Boohoo; as well as government representatives from across various departments, not least the Home Office. 

 

The event floor was buzzing with activity over the two days, having something for everyone from start-ups to established vendors, software developers right up to C-Level executives. Quantum computing, security by design, cloud, diversity as well as cyber care and education of children emerged as some of the key themes of discussion.

 

Highlights of International Cyber Expo 2022 included:

 

• Live Immersive Demonstrations and Tabletop Exercises

 

Across the two days, visitors were treated to immersive demonstrations by a professional cast of actors from CrisisCast. Trained by behavioural psychologists and rigorously rehearsed in criminal and victim behaviour, the team showcased exhibitor products in a live environment and illustrated how organisations can best prepare for cyber threats, explore vulnerabilities and survive in the new age of information warfare. Cyber Griffin also ran their award-winning, NCSC-certified tabletop exercises to assess people’s responses and decisions when faced with a cyberattack. 

 

• Government Zone and International Presence

 

Within the Government Zone, visitors had the opportunity to mingle with senior and influential figures from a number of UK government departments, organisations and agencies to learn about their latest plans for the future. This included the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) For Startups, UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), UK Cyber Security Council, the National Crime Agency (NCA), Plexal, and the National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG), among others. 

 

The event also catered for a much broader international audience with attendees travelling from Australia, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Portugal, Philippines, Poland, etc. The Ontario Canada Pavilion educated visitors on the technologies, investments and partnership opportunities on offer by Canada’s leading cybersecurity companies. Moreover, Connect+ Live led the international buyer programme, a free-of-charge, personalised matchmaking service between qualified buyers and hand-picked solution providers, both in face-to-face and virtual settings.

 

• CISO Roundtables

 

In a closed-door setting, sponsors had the opportunity to sit down with Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and senior-level cybersecurity professionals to hear about the latest challenges they’re facing and ask their burning questions. 

 

• Global Cyber Summit and Tech Hub Stage

 

Cyber experts also convened at the Global Cyber Summit and Tech Hub Stage, delivering an engaging and informative programme that explored an abundance of topics.

 

Day one covered everything from cybersecurity’s image problem to the potential demise of the internet. Erika Lewis, Director of Cyber Security and Digital Identity at DCMS, kicked off the day by enlightening her audience with the government’s cyber priorities, closely followed by Juliette Wilcox, Cyber Security Ambassador - Department for International Trade who discussed the UK’s cyber power strategy and how trust is integral to its realisation. Wilcox delved into how the UK aims to become a global cyber power by strengthening trade relations and bolstering the trust between trading nations. The day closed with an enthralling talk from Daniel Siu, Chief Cryptographer at Arqit Quantum Inc. who discussed the existential threat quantum computing poses to the internet. Siu warned the audience of the looming issue of quantum computing, rendering public key encryption and, by extension, the internet, obsolete. 

 

Day two saw the City of London Police’s Assistant Commissioner, Peter O’Doherty open with a look at the latest initiatives being created and put in place to tackle current and upcoming threats with the key takeaway that cyber policing is a challenge for all and one that must be tackled together as a community. 

 

True diversity is normal within cybersecurity as discussed by a panel of experts consisting of Christine Bejerasco, CTO at WithSecure, Jitender Arora, Partner and CISO at Deloitte North and South Europe (NSE), Anne Woodley, Security Specialist for Microsoft and Vicki Gavin, Head of Information Security & Compliance at Kaplan International. Highlighting how critical thinking requires different thinking, the panel praised the important contribution women make. They also discussed how having a true diverse workforce encourages more young people and individuals from different backgrounds to explore the opportunities within cybersecurity, and this is critical to the industry's survival.  

 

At the Tech Hub Stage, a number of vendors provided real-life applications and case studies to illustrate the benefits of their products and services. Among the speakers, Cyber Runway by Plexal presented across both days. Cyber Runway is the UK’s largest cyber accelerator programme. During their two sessions, representatives from exciting cyber start-ups and scaleups in their ecosystem, shared their experiences. To conclude the presentations, NCSC For Startups alumni took to the stage in a panel discussion to share their growth journeys during their time on the programme, including lessons learned that all cyber startups need to know. 

 

• Inclusive Community 

 

Equally important, International Cyber Expo championed inclusivity and diversity at this year’s show. In addition to recruiting an even split of gender representatives on the event’s Advisory Council, the organisers reserved a designated area for its Community Village. The Village included NeuroCyber, Women in Tech Forum, TechVets, The Cyber Helpline, and Respect in Security. Therefore, providing a platform for those from minority groups in the industry, be they women, neurodiverse individuals, veterans or victims of cybercrime and more. 

 

International Cyber Expo is proud to have had NSPCC as our lead charity partner. NSPCC helps to provide support for children and parents who have been affected by cybercrime and abuse.

 

• Networking

 

The event was the ideal hub for networking, with many business meetings, friendly catch-ups with peers and introductions with new connections taking place across the two days. Towards the end of a successful first day, visitors came together for networking drinks hosted by Cyber House Party. A free flow of beverages were circulated as cybersecurity’s hottest DJs took to the stage: Dan Conn (Sonatype); Andy Green (Broad Oak Security); Scott Littlehales (Littlefish); Marc Avery (Cyber Chain Alliance).

 

“The volume of noise and the buzz at International Cyber Expo has far exceeded my expectations. The fact that people really feel they want to be a part of this event, and work together as a collective to take the whole industry forward is phenomenal,” said Juliette Wilcox, Cyber Security Ambassador - Department for International Trade. “International Cyber Expo is a showcase for the best of UK cyber security capability and technology, including emerging technologies such as quantum, artificial intelligence and blockchain which will be critical to the future of effective cyber security and vital to economic growth and prosperity”

 

“The success of International Cyber Expo highlights the cybersecurity industry’s desire to collaborate and work more closely than ever to drive things forward as a community,” comments Rachael Shattock, Event Director - International Cyber Expo. “Cybersecurity has become more than just a product or solution to deploy, but a whole ecosystem composed of brilliant minds in a variety of functions; from government officials, entrepreneurs and academics to technical experts, executives and venture capitalists. It is more important than ever that we bring these brilliant minds together to protect businesses and the wider public from current and future cyber threats. We’re looking forward to coming back bigger and better, moving to the larger National Hall at Olympia London next year!” 

 

“This year’s experience at International Cyber Expo has been fabulous. I’m really pleased to be involved with it,” said Ciaran Martin CB, Professor at Oxford University and Chair of International Cyber Expo’s Advisory Council. “This year, there has been an even bigger turnout, even more enthusiasm, and a much bigger international dimension than expected. What I really love about this event is the partnership between the cybersecurity industry with the government, and with academia. There has been a fantastic buzz - so congratulations to everyone involved and thank you to everyone who has come.”

 

If you’re interested in speaking opportunities for 2023’s Global Cyber Summit and Tech Hub Stage, please email: info@internationalcyberexpo.com

 

For any International Cyber Expo 2023 exhibitor enquiries, please visit: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/exhibition-enquiry-zgd1 

 

< < END > > 

 

 

About International Cyber Expo  

 

Driven by popular demand, International Cyber Expo has emerged as the cybersecurity event where business, innovation and education converge. Over two days, industry veterans, newcomers, technical experts, executives and investors are invited to address the issues of tomorrow's interconnected world in the heart of London.  

 

The Expo endeavours to be the hub of global and inclusive collaboration. It is an event for the community, by the community, with CISO roundtables, informative sessions by experts in the field, including immersive demonstrations of the latest cutting-edge technologies. Its agenda is shaped by a diverse and esteemed Advisory Council chaired by Professor Ciaran Martin CB (former CEO of the NCSC) and made up of credible government, industry and academic stakeholders.  

 

For more information visit: https://www.internationalcyberexpo.com/