BSides Exeter returns to The University of Exeter
Once again, we are co-organizing BSides Exeter: it 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. 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!”