Cyber Security Summit 2026
Join us for the 2026 UNSW Cyber Security Summit, a full day in person conference style event exploring how cyber security enables secure research, education and operations across the University.
Watch this short AI-generated video to discover what the summit is all about:
Building on the success of our inaugural 2024 Summit, the 2026 event brings together UNSW staff and students, as well as industry partners to examine the evolving cyber threat landscape and the continued uplift of UNSW’s security capability.
In an environment shaped by artificial intelligence, identity centric risk, supply chain exposure and emerging quantum considerations, collaboration is essential. The Summit provides a platform to share practical insight, strengthen institutional resilience and support secure innovation.
Tuesday, 26th
May 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
UNSW Roundhouse, International Rd, Kensington
Date and Venue
Tuesday, 26 May 2026 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
UNSW Roundhouse, International Road, Kensington
Catering
View the full catering lineup to see what’s being served throughout the day: from barista coffee and breakfast to lunch, afternoon tea, and networking drinks.
Explore the Program
View the full agenda to explore keynote sessions, panels, technical tracks and interactive challenges.
Watch the highlights from our 2024 Summit:
What the Summit Will Cover
The program features keynote presentations, expert panels, interactive sessions and live technical challenges designed to bring today’s cyber realities into focus.
Topics include:
- The current national threat landscape and Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy
- Safe and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence
- Protecting research data and intellectual property
- Supply chain and third party risk
- Building security culture across a distributed organisation
- Preparing for emerging risks, including quantum impact on cryptography
From strategic discussions to hands on hackathons and code challenges, the Summit connects policy, research and operational practice.
Why Attend
The Summit is designed to strengthen capability across the University community.
Participants will gain practical guidance on protecting data, managing AI risk, and embedding secure practices into everyday work. The program also provides opportunities to connect with cyber specialists, researchers and industry experts, reinforcing a shared commitment to resilience.
The objective is simple: enable teaching, research and innovation to progress securely and confidently.
What to Expect
Join your UNSW colleagues from operations, research, education, along with external partners and the broader sector for an engaging conversation on cyber security in higher education. Hear from expert speakers, participate in panel discussions, and explore how we can work together to strengthen our collective cyber resilience.
Experience games, live demonstrations and interactive showcases that bring today’s cyber challenges to life, and discover the practical steps we can all take to build a safer digital community.
Who Should Attend
The Summit is open to UNSW staff, researchers, students and invited partners across the sector.
It is particularly relevant for:
- Academic and research staff managing data and intellectual property
- Professional staff overseeing systems, projects and vendor relationships
- Technical teams working in cloud, development and infrastructure
- Leaders responsible for risk, governance and strategy
- Invited students pursuing careers in cyber security and emerging technologies
Find out more about the 2026 UNSW Cyber Security Summit here:
Reporting cyber incidents
It is important to report any cyber security incidents as quickly as possible so that the UNSW IT Cyber Security team can address any issues and mitigate risk exposure.
Incidents that staff and students should report:
- Suspecting your computer or account has been compromised.
- Having evidence on how technology or University data may be vulnerable.
- Noticing a colleague inappropriately sharing Highly Sensitive or Sensitive data.
- Losing a University asset containing sensitive information.
Contact the IT Service Centre for urgent matters or use the button above to report an incident.
Cyber security is everyone’s responsibility and by learning a few rules, simple steps, and following guidelines, we can protect our University from cyber security threats and keep data safe.