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Security Days 2026: Securing tomorrow together

Utrecht, Netherlands | 7-9 April 2026

Security is the foundation of trust, the trust that enables collaboration, innovation, and open research across borders. GÉANT Security Days 2026 brings together the community that safeguards that trust: security professionals, network experts, incident responders, and CISOs from across its NREN community and their connected institutions.

Under the theme “Securing Tomorrow Together,” this year’s conference explores how collective intelligence, shared experience, and coordinated security measures are shaping the future of cybersecurity for research and education in Europe and beyond.

Through hands-on training sessions, eye-opening keynotes, real-world case studies, and forward-looking discussions, we’ll address topics such as: cloud security, community engagement, cyber resilience, the human factor, financial constraints and practical security.

GÉANT Security Days is a working forum where ideas become solutions and collaboration drives resilience. Whether you’re leading a CSIRT, building secure networks, or shaping security policy, this is where the community comes together to secure our future.

Topics

Security Operation Centres (SOCs)
SOCs have started to become the heartbeat of institutional security. But how do you scale SOC capabilities across multiple institutions, limited resources, and growing alert fatigue? Let’s explore the collaborative SOC models, threat intelligence sharing within the GÉANT community, and the future of automation and AI in incident response.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is transforming the security landscape for defenders and attackers. How can AI detect anomalies and predict threats, and how are malicious actors leveraging generative AI to scale phishing, automate malware creation, and manipulate systems. Explore how the GÉANT community can harness AI ethically and effectively, without falling for the hype.

Cloud security
Cloud adoption continues to accelerate across NRENs and institutions, but so do the risks. Let’s focus on securing multi-cloud and hybrid environments, building trust in third-party services, and ensuring compliance in an increasingly borderless IT world.

Community engagement: stronger together
What makes the GÉANT security community unique is its openness, trust, and shared mission. Let’s explore the power of engagement from cross-NREN collaborations and open tools, to mutual support during incidents. How do we foster even stronger bonds across borders and disciplines? How do we ensure inclusivity and bring new voices to the table?

Cyber resilience: planning for the worst, building for the future
Cyber resilience is about enduring attacks, recovering fast, and learning constantly. Let’s focus on risk management, continuity planning, and how institutions are embedding resilience into governance, architecture, and culture. What does resilience really mean in 2026?

The human factor
Phishing. Credential reuse. Misconfigurations. The blame game is outdated. Let’s look at creative, effective awareness strategies that go beyond training modules. How can we empower people to be part of the solution?

Unconference / storytelling session: the weirdest security request I ever received ...what did I learn from it?
The strangest requests can often hold hidden insights. This fun, informal participant driven session invites community members to share stories that are bizarre, challenging, or just funny - and the lessons learned from them.

Squeezed budgets, stretched teams: doing more with less
Security expectations are rising, but resources aren’t. Many NRENs are now expected to provide centralised CISO services, monitor dozens of institutions, and manage complex compliance needs, all with flat budgets and shrinking teams. Let’s talk about pragmatic strategies, collaborative approaches, and automation to keep moving forward.

Practical security: no-nonsense, hands-on defences
No buzzwords. No fluff. Just hard-won lessons and tactical advice on securing applications, writing secure code, dealing with dodgy APIs, and surviving modern deployments. Plus Kubernetes without tears. This is the hands-on track for practitioners who want actionable takeaways, code samples, and real tools.

Location | Utrecht - the heart of the Netherlands

Security Days 2026 comes to Utrecht, one of Europe’s most vibrant and forward-thinking cities. Located in the very heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht blends centuries of history with cutting-edge innovation.

Stroll along the city’s iconic canals, lined with busy cafés, creative workspaces, and medieval architecture. Home to Utrecht Science Park and a growing number of cybersecurity start-ups, the city is a magnet for innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. Enjoy Utrecht’s vibrant nightlife, cosy restaurants, and the warm Dutch hospitality that makes every visit memorable.

Conference venue | Royal Jaarbeurs Utrecht

Located next to the Utrecht Central Station, Supernova is not only easily accessible but also offers a spacious and futuristic design. With five conference rooms accommodating up to 450 attendees, Supernova is the place where inspiration meets innovation.

Hotel Service Utrecht has negotiated set rates with flexible cancellation policies, fully refundable within the cancellation period.
Find out more about reduced hotel rates for Security Days 2026 attendees.

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