Security. Autonomy. Resilience.
Digital dependencies, geopolitical uncertainty and evolving cyber threats are changing the decisions facing NRENs and the institutions they support. How do we protect our infrastructure, gain greater control over the technologies we rely on, and keep research and education running when things go wrong?
Security, autonomy and resilience are closely connected. Greater autonomy can give organisations more control over their digital infrastructure, but it also brings choices and trade-offs. Security helps protect the systems and services we depend on, while resilience determines how well we can withstand disruption and recover from it.
At GÉANT Security Days 2027, we want to explore what these challenges mean in practice – and what we can learn from one another.
Have a story, an experience or an idea to share?
The Call for Proposals is now open, and we welcome contributions from across the international research and education community and beyond. Whether you’ve tackled a difficult security challenge, developed a new approach or learned valuable lessons from an incident, your experience could help others.
We’re particularly interested in the following themes:
Digital sovereignty and autonomy – understanding technology dependencies, exploring alternatives to dominant platforms and making informed choices about control, cost and risk.
Artificial intelligence: a human-centred approach – AI-enabled attacks and defence, human oversight, responsible deployment and the resilience of AI-supported systems.
The human factor – evidence-based approaches that help people recognise risks and make better security decisions, without relying on blame or awareness training alone.
Privacy – protecting personal information and reducing unnecessary data exposure while meeting legitimate security and operational needs.
Compliance in practice – real-world experiences of translating regulatory requirements into meaningful security improvements, including the challenges of working with limited resources.
Open source for security and resilience – the opportunities and responsibilities of using open-source technologies to strengthen transparency, flexibility and control over digital infrastructure.
Post-quantum security – preparing for the transition to post-quantum cryptography, from cryptographic inventories and migration strategies to interoperability and implementation challenges.
Hybrid threats and geopolitical instability – preparing for state-linked activity, disruption and attacks on critical infrastructure in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment.
Research continuity and cyber resilience – incident preparedness, recovery planning and the practical challenge of keeping research and education running when infrastructure, services or suppliers are disrupted.
We’re also keen to hear ideas for unconference sessions and participant-led discussions. Not every valuable exchange needs a formal presentation; sometimes the most useful conversations start with a question that nobody has quite figured out yet.
Consider these themes as starting points. We welcome practical case studies, technical deep dives, lessons learned and contributions that connect several topics or bring a different perspective.
Submit your proposal today
Closing deadline: 18 December 2026
Please note
*Accepted speakers are expected to cover their conference registration fee and travel expenses.
*Conference participants will receive a CPD certificate, recognising their continued professional development and commitment to advancing cybersecurity expertise.
Important dates
Registrations open: 1 December 2026
Partnership applications open: 1 December 2026
Conference venue | Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem
The Van der Valk Hotel Haarlem is a modern conference venue that offers adaptable meeting spaces, reliable AV facilities, and comfortable accommodation options for attendees. Its location provides easy access from Schiphol Airport and major train routes, making it convenient for participants traveling from across Europe.
We look forward to seeing you in Haarlem, the charming historical capital of North Holland!
