Cybersec Europe Attracts over 7,300 Cybersecurity Professionals from 97 Countries with Themes Such as Digital Sovereignty and Operational Technology Security
Cybersec Europe attracted more than 7,300 visitors to Brussels Expo last week, including a rapidly growing number of executives and board-level decision-makers. The increasing impact of international cybersecurity threats is clearly driving urgency at C-suite level, and Cybersec Europe has firmly established itself as a key platform for discussing how to address these challenges.
The 2026 edition demonstrated a strong upward shift in audience quality, with VIP attendance increasing by +40% and CISO-level representation growing by +35%. These results clearly reinforce the event’s strategic positioning as a leading meeting place for senior decision-makers in cybersecurity.
Jordi van Herk, Cluster Lead IT Media & Events at Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs, is proud of what the team has achieved: “Brussels truly is the European heart of cybersecurity. It is the place where technology, policy, regulation and international cooperation come together. This year, Cybersec Europe experienced its biggest edition ever, with more than 200 exhibitors and partners, over 180 speakers spread across twelve theatres, and visitors from more than 97 countries. We have grown into one of Europe’s leading cybersecurity events.”
At Cybersec Europe, governments — including NATO and ENISA (the EU Agency for Cybersecurity) — industry leaders and the cybersecurity community came together for knowledge sharing, networking and experiencing a vibrant exhibition floor. Cybersecurity is an issue where a collaborative approach is crucial. Van Herk: “What makes this event unique is that the entire cybersecurity ecosystem gathers here: from Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and IT leaders to governments, industry players, startups, researchers and technology partners. At a time when AI, geopolitical tensions, digital sovereignty and the impact of quantum computing are fundamentally changing the cybersecurity landscape, collaboration is more important than ever.”
The field is evolving rapidly and the urgency surrounding cybersecurity is increasing at an unprecedented pace. Theo Francken, the Belgian Minister for Defense and Foreign Trade stated: “Cybersecurity is more important than ever; we need to step up. We are under constant attack, facing a growing number of hybrid and cyber threats every day. That means we need to do more. This is exactly the moment where meaningful connections are made and deals are secured.”
To accommodate the growing international demand from exhibitors, partners, and visitors, Cybersec Europe will expand with an additional exhibition hall in 2027, further strengthening its position as a leading European platform.
The official opening of Cybersec Europe 2026 was performed by Eléonore Simonet, the Belgian Minister of Small Businesses, the Self-Employed and SMEs, highlighting the growing importance of cyber resilience for small and medium-sized enterprises. The popular Flemish television program Hacked hosted the opening of day two and attracted enormous interest.
Exhibitors look back positively on the fifth edition of Cybersec Europe.
Koen Pauweleyn of Siemens: “Cybersec Europe is a great place to connect the IT and OT worlds and meet new people from across the cybersecurity ecosystem. We combine the real and digital worlds in a secure way. That is our main message. And Cybersec Europe offers great exposure and the opportunity to meet professionals you normally would not connect with.”
Nadine Serneels of TrendAI: “Cybersec Europe gives us two full days to connect with partners, customers and prospects in one place. AI is now at the core of our business: security for AI, and AI for security. I encourage every cybersecurity company, whether vendor or integrator, to be part of Cybersec Europe.”
Kristof Spriet of Proximus NXT: “Cybersec Europe is one of the biggest events where we can truly showcase what we do. In cybersecurity, no company can cover the entire spectrum alone — partnerships are essential. Cybersec Europe creates opportunities to build collaborations across the cybersecurity ecosystem.”
Patrick Casteels of Kappa Data: “AI security, OT security and digital sovereignty are currently the key topics in cybersecurity. Cybersec Europe is the best cybersecurity exhibition in Belgium. Every year, Cybersec Europe becomes more important and attracts a bigger audience.”
Cybersec has grown into an international platform with editions in the Netherlands and Brussels, as well as collaborations in Asia. The next edition of Cybersec Europe will take place in Brussels on 26 and 27 May 2027.
Register for free!
As cyber attacks continue to threaten today’s tech landscape, this event is the premier platform for seasoned cyber security professionals and innovative start-ups to exchange knowledge and tackle cybersecurity challenges together. Organizations across all sectors will discover strategies to boost cyber resilience and safeguard critical assets. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your cyber defenses.
