From 7–9 April 2026, the international R&E cybersecurity community will gather in Utrecht for Security Days 2026. Organised by GÉANT and supported by SURF, the event brings together security experts, practitioners and decision-makers for three days of focused learning, practical exchange and professional growth.
The preliminary programme is now live, offering a first look at a carefully curated agenda shaped around some of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges.
A programme built for security practitioners
Security Days remains a professional event designed by and for experts. The 2026 edition places clear emphasis on personal development and hands-on training, ensuring participants return to their organisations with sharpened skills and applicable insights.
Across plenaries, workshops and interactive sessions, topics include:
- Deepfakes and digital deception
- Post-quantum cryptography for DNSSEC
- Threat hunting and open-source tooling
- AI-driven security testing and LLM honeypots
- Crisis simulations and sector-wide preparedness
- DDoS analysis, Protective DNS and management plane defence
Interactive formats such as Capture the Flag challenges, gamified compliance exercises and immersive cyber crisis simulations will allow participants to test both defensive and offensive capabilities in realistic, controlled environments.
Keynotes setting the tone
Four distinguished keynote speakers will frame the conversation across the three days:
7 April – Opening plenary
- Frank Rieger, hacker, author and internet activist
- Valerie Aurora, systems architecture consultant and writer
8 April
- Nancy Beers, gamification expert with over 25 years of ICT experience
9 April – Closing plenary
- Alexandre Dulaunoy, Head of CIRCL, Luxembourg’s national CSIRT
“Together, our keynotes will explore the evolving threat landscape, the human dimension of security, and the strategic resilience required across research and education networks.” Eugene Brin, Programme Committee Chair, DFN CERT, Germany
Learning from real experience
The programme also features case studies and operational insights from across the global NREN and higher education community. Sessions will examine large-scale crisis exercises, threat intelligence sharing, compliance investigations, sector-wide resilience initiatives and lessons learned from real-world incidents.
Alongside technical depth, there is a strong focus on collaboration and culture, from building effective fusion teams to strengthening awareness programmes and turning static controls into dynamic risk intelligence.
With confirmed sponsors such as Security Zones, Arctic Security and Censys, the event continues to gain industry credibility, and provide enhanced attendee experience, and grow as a key meeting point for the international R&E security community. Please note that call for proposals for sponsorship applications is still open. For more detailed information download the sponsorship brochure or get in touch via the contact form
Secure your place
Security Days 2026 offers a dedicated space to sharpen expertise, exchange knowledge and strengthen professional networks.
Explore the preliminary programme and register today to avoid disappointment.
All participants will receive a PCD certificate, recognising their continued professional development and commitment to advancing cybersecurity expertise.
