The Future of Cyber In An AI World
As artificial intelligence reshapes how we live, work and defend, CyberCon invites the region’s cyber thinkers, doers and leaders to come together and explore what’s next.
From securing adaptive systems and safeguarding space-based infrastructure to closing the cyber skills gap, this year’s programme cuts across the critical challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s threat landscape.
Student, Startup, Scale-up or CISO.
CyberCon is your place to connect, learn and be part of shaping the future.
Why Join Us?
Hear from expert voices across industry, academia and the public sector
Take part in hands-on workshops, panels and interactive sessions
Get inspired by local innovation and global challenges
The Future of Cyber In An AI World
As artificial intelligence reshapes how we live, work and defend, CyberCon invites the region’s cyber thinkers, doers and leaders to come together and explore what’s next.
From securing adaptive systems and safeguarding space-based infrastructure to closing the cyber skills gap, this year’s programme cuts across the critical challenges and opportunities of tomorrow’s threat landscape.
Student, Startup, Scale-up or CISO.
CyberCon is your place to connect, learn and be part of shaping the future.
Why Join Us?
Hear from expert voices across industry, academia and the public sector
Take part in hands-on workshops, panels and interactive sessions
Get inspired by local innovation and global challenges
2024 CyberCon In Numbers
350
Delegates
20
Speakers
3
Keynotes
850k
Social Reach
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT
08:30 | Welcome, Networking and Exhibition
09:15 | Conference Opened by Joyann Boyce
09:30 | Securing Space Assets: What to Consider
Jessie Hamill-Stewart
PhD Researcher / CySpace CCN Programme Lead, University of Bristol and University of Bath
This talk begins by outlining the value of space and why it needs to be secure, followed by an introduction to vulnerabilities of space systems. It then highlights key steps to take for securing space assets and why multi-sector collaboration is so important.
10:00 | Security at the Speed of AI: How Modern Engineering Teams Ship Secure Code Without Slowing Down
Jonny Tyers
Founder, Threatplane
As AI accelerates development and teams ship faster than ever, traditional security can become a bottleneck that kills competitive advantage. This talk explores how forward-thinking technical leaders embed security into engineering workflows, turning it from a blocker into an accelerator. It includes a demonstration of threat modelling in action and practical tips for building security that scales with your codebase and proves business value.
10:30 | Tea & Coffee Break, Networking & Exhibition
11:00 | “Making friends with the machines” – a whistlestop tour of AI in cyber
Toni-Ann Grant
Principal Security Architect and Distinguished Engineer, BT Group
This session takes a fast-paced look at how artificial intelligence is shaping cybersecurity. It explores how AI can support security teams in detecting and protecting against threats, as well as the challenges of integrating machine-led approaches into critical environments.
11:30 | Inside the Cybercrime Ecosystem: The Industrialisation of AI
Ben Hopkins
Cyber Threat Intelligence Researcher, Immersive Labs
Cybercriminals are industrious, determined, and often highly capable. This talk explores how modern threat actors organise their operations, monetise malware, and collaborate across darknet marketplaces, forums, and Telegram groups. It also examines how artificial intelligence is lowering the barrier to entry for cybercrime, changing the tools available to attackers, and what this means for defenders.
12:00 | AI-Powered Threat Detection: Lessons from the Blue Team
Poulomi Dwibedi
Cybersecurity Engineer and Leader, Aviva
This talk explores how AI is transforming threat detection through the perspective of a Blue Team practitioner. Drawing on real-world SOC challenges, it examines how AI and automation can enhance detection engineering, reduce alert fatigue, and align with frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK. The session also highlights practical strategies for integrating AI into security operations, and the importance of resilience, explainability, and human oversight.
12:30 | Panel – Building the Cyber Workforce of Tomorrow
Chris Hotchin
Schools & Industry Engagement, CyberFirst Southwest
Early careers matter. This panel explores the role of education in preparing the next generation of cyber professionals, with perspectives from those working directly with young people entering the field.
13:00 | Lunch, Networking and Exhibition
14:00 | Ctrl + Alt + Panic – Current Cyber Threats and Best Practice in Incident Response
South West Regional Cyber Crime Unit
Cyber Protect, Prepare and Prevent Officer
Cyber incidents can affect organisations of any size or sector at any time, so it’s crucial to have a plan in place to respond, recover and continue operating. This session highlights current cyber threats and best practices in incident response, drawing on investigations in the South West and nationally recognised guidance. It also explores common pitfalls, practical questions to ask when building response plans, and free resources available to help organisations prepare.
14:30 | AI Voice Theft: The Hidden Danger of Financial Scams Driven by AI
Hannah-Rose Shearman
Undergraduate Researcher, University of the West of England
AI is becoming a valuable tool in cybersecurity, strengthening defences with automation and reducing human error. Yet these same advances expose vulnerabilities in voice recognition and biometric security. This talk explores how AI is being misused to bypass protections, the tools and data behind such scams, and real-world case studies showing the impact on victims, alongside practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
15:00 | Tea & Coffee Break, Networking & Exhibition
15:30 | Growing the UK Cyber Sector
Simon Shiu
University of Bristol
Insights and experiences from Simon’s work on the UK Cyber Growth Action Plan, examining how research, industry, and government can collaborate to strengthen the sector and support long-term growth.
16:00 | Briefing on the State of AI: USA vs UK vs China
Yusra Shaeik
Technical Director, Dial a Geek
A strategic overview of how the US, UK and China are approaching AI, highlighting what each nation is doing well, where they are falling behind, and the implications for UK businesses. The session explores how global differences in AI policy and investment shape the future of innovation, alongside the risks and opportunities organisations should prepare for now.
16:30 | What Skills Do We Need in the Cyber + AI World?
Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders
Speakers TBC
Leaders from across the cyber sector will share the skills they believe are essential for professionals to thrive in the age of AI. The discussion will highlight how individuals can prepare, the areas of knowledge and practice that matter most, and the qualities that set candidates apart in a competitive job market.
17:00 | Final Thanks
08:00 | Welcome Drinks, Networking and Exhibition
09:00 | Livestream from Cinema 1
10:30 | Tea & Coffee Break, Networking & Exhibition
11:00 | How to Build a SIEM and SOC for the AI World
Anthony Flemmer
CEO, Defence Logic
As artificial intelligence reshapes the cybersecurity landscape, traditional approaches to threat detection and response must evolve. Anthony will unpack the essential components of a modern SIEM and SOC, showing how AI enhances log ingestion, correlation, and threat hunting while reducing noise and accelerating response. Looking ahead, he explores how predictive analytics and autonomous remediation will redefine how security teams operate.
11:30 | Securing API Endpoints with Reverse Proxies
Emmanuel Akala
Software Engineer, Puredrive Energy Ltd
Modern endpoint security is increasingly complex as organisations manage distributed workforces, cloud applications, and sophisticated threats. Reverse proxies provide a powerful solution by creating control points, enforcing policies, and inspecting encrypted traffic to detect malicious activity. They also enable application-layer filtering, block attacks before they reach backend systems, and align with Zero Trust principles. Properly implemented, reverse proxies can significantly reduce malware infections and strengthen data loss prevention while simplifying policy management at scale.
12:00 | When Code Secures Itself: The AI Revolution in DevSecOps
Jez Daniels
Principal Cloud Security & DevSecOps Consultant
As software systems grow more complex and development cycles accelerate, securing them has never been more critical. DevSecOps integrates security into every stage of development, and AI is pushing this shift further. From AI-powered threat detection and automated remediation to smarter code scanning and anomaly detection, new tools are helping teams reduce false positives, identify unusual behaviours, and recommend secure code. The result is faster, smarter, and more adaptive security that supports both experienced engineers and those just starting out.
12:30 | Livestream from Cinema 1
13:00 | Lunch, Networking and Exhibition
14:00 | People Power – Your First Line of Defence: How Communication Builds a Cyber-Aware Culture
Gemma McGrattan
Director, The Assembled
Human manipulation and error remain among the biggest causes of cybersecurity failures worldwide. By building effective communication strategies and fostering a culture of awareness, organisations can reduce risk and empower people as their strongest line of defence. Gemma shares creative, practical approaches to inspire employees, avoid common pitfalls, and apply a simple framework for communications that make cyber awareness personal, engaging, and sustainable.
14:30 | How Cyber & AI Companies Scale
Cameron Johnson
CEO & Fractional Chief Revenue Officer, Revenue Consultancy
An exploration of the fractional approach to scaling cyber and AI businesses globally. Cameron covers how to audit people, processes, and technology to shape effective sales and marketing strategies. Timed perfectly for leaders preparing their 2026 planning, this session offers a practical framework for sustainable growth.
15:00 | Tea & Coffee Break, Networking and Exhibition
15:30 | The Effects of AI in Social Engineering
Barry Sadler
Head of Penetration Testing, PGI – Protection Group International
AI is not revolutionising social engineering, but it is exposing gaps in how individuals and organisations protect themselves. Barry highlights how threat actors are exploiting these weaknesses and concludes with practical steps we can all take today to strengthen defences against manipulation and deception.
16:00 | AI Enabled Cyber Deception for Critical National Infrastructure
Sridhar Adepu
Founder and Director, ILLUSIONIQ Limited; Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity, Swansea University
Deception technology is emerging as a key pillar of proactive defence for Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). By deploying high-fidelity decoys that mimic real OT and IT systems, defenders can lure attackers into controlled environments and capture their tactics without risking production assets. Sridhar introduces an AI-driven deception platform designed for CNI, sharing insights from a six-month energy sector case study that revealed attacker interest in power infrastructure and provided valuable intelligence for securing critical networks.
17:00 | Close
12:15 | Lunch, Networking and Exhibition
14:00 | Power Outage – A Tabletop Cyber Incident Game
Dr John Curry
Senior Lecturer and Reader in Professional Wargaming and Cyber Security, Bath Spa University
A 60-minute tabletop exercise that simulates a live cyber incident. Participants work in teams to experience the pressures, decisions, and trade-offs faced in real-world cyber security situations. Designed for those new to the field as well as experienced professionals, the game brings cyber risk and response to life in an engaging, accessible way.
About Bristol and Bath Cyber
The Bristol & Bath Cyber Cluster is a not-for-profit community formed to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and sharing of best practices within the cybersecurity sector in the South West. Its objectives include developing the ecosystem, promoting innovation, and growing cyber skills.
It serves as a platform for innovation and collaboration, supporting startups, scaleups, and growth businesses through networking, knowledge exchange, and best practices. The cluster connects teams across public, private sectors, and academia, aiming to drive economic growth and strengthen the cyber ecosystem in the West of England.
Are you interested in learning more about a specific speaker, topic, or perhaps how to get involved with the Bristol & Bath Cyber Cluster?