Writing from the bustling halls of BSides London
Ho ho ho, and what have we here? As I sit in the vibrant ‘afterparty’ of BSides London, surrounded by the infectious energy of the cybersecurity community, I couldn’t help but smile as I opened my laptop to what can only be described as an early Christmas present for the infosec community. BSides Belfast is officially returning for 2026! Mark your calendars and start planning that trip to Belfast because Thursday, September 10th, 2026 is going to be absolutely brilliant.
The Gift That Keeps on Giving
This will be the eighth BSides event hosted in Northern Ireland, and if the energy I’m witnessing here in London is anything to go by, Belfast is going to be absolutely electric. With expectations of 600-700 attendees from across Ireland, the UK, Europe and beyond, BSides Belfast continues to cement its position as a premier cybersecurity gathering on the island of Ireland. But wait, there’s more! (And this is where the Christmas presents really start flowing…)
BSides Belfast 2025: Now Available for Your Holiday Binge-Watching
Speaking of presents, we’ve got another fantastic surprise for you. All the incredible talks from BSides Belfast 2025 are now live on YouTube (Thanks Jay and the whole AV team)! Whether you missed the event, want to revisit a particular talk, or just need some excellent cybersecurity content to keep you entertained during the holiday season, head over to the BSides Belfast YouTube channel. From Michelle’s welcoming opening remarks to fascinating talks covering everything from malware in Sims 4 mods to race condition exploits in web applications, the 2025 lineup was absolutely stellar. Perfect viewing material while you’re avoiding family arguments over Christmas dinner!
What Makes Belfast Special
As someone who’s experienced the magic of BSides events across the globe, there’s something uniquely special about Belfast. Ireland, both North and South, hosts many major IT companies, and in recent decades, there’s been an incredible influx of cybersecurity-focused organizations. BSides Belfast continues to be the centerpiece of the cybersecurity calendar. The organizing committee, drawn from the broad range of IT and Information Security companies across Northern Ireland, consistently curates the best the region has to offer while attracting top-class speakers. It’s this perfect blend of local talent and global expertise that makes BSides Belfast truly stand out.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With two tracks of talks, technical workshops, and that famous BSides “networking” magic, BSides Belfast 2026 promises to be the best yet. The mission remains the same: provide options by removing common conference barriers and creating space for speakers, topics, and discussions that might not find a home elsewhere. The event continues to foster local talent through rookie support, hands-on workshops, speaker preparation sessions, and competitions. It’s this commitment to growing Belfast’s reputation as “the cybersecurity city” that makes this event so important to our community.
Save the Date
Thursday, September 10th, 2026 at the Europa Hotel in Belfast. Early bird tickets, call for proposals, sponsorship opportunities – all the details are coming. Keep an eye on bsidesbelfast.org and follow @BSidesBelfast for all the latest updates.
Partners Wanted: Help Make BSides Belfast 2026 Legendary
Here’s where you come in – whether you’re reading this as an individual contributor or as someone who can influence company decisions, BSides Belfast needs champions like you to make 2026 absolutely incredible. For Organizations and Companies: BSides Belfast isn’t just another conference to sponsor – it’s an investment in the future of cybersecurity talent across Ireland and beyond. With 600-700 attendees expected, including decision-makers, technical leaders, and emerging talent from across Europe, your organization will be connecting with the exact community that drives innovation in our industry. The sponsorship packages are thoughtfully designed for maximum ROI:
- Tera Sponsors (£5,000): Premium positioning with double exhibition space, custom social media content, and 10 complimentary passes
- Giga Sponsors (£3,000): Excellent visibility with single exhibition space and 6 passes
- Mega Sponsors (£2,000): Great value with conference program inserts and 4 passes
- Kilo Sponsors (£1,000): Perfect entry point with program placement and 2 passes
But here’s what makes Belfast special: You’re not just buying logo placement – you’re participating in a community that’s actively shaping “the cybersecurity city.” The organizers understand that meaningful sponsorship creates lasting relationships, not just transactional exchanges.
Transparency matters: BSides Belfast operates as a Community Interest Company with full financial transparency. Want to see exactly how sponsorship funds are used? Check out our 2024 Financial Transparency Report – it’s refreshingly honest about everything from venue costs to the coffee budget. (The 2025 report is coming very soon too!) This level of openness shows you’re partnering with an organization that takes stewardship of sponsor funds seriously.
Special Opportunities for 2026:
- Accessibility Sponsor (£2,000): Support live subtitling – show your commitment to inclusive tech
- Childcare Sponsor (£2,000): Remove barriers for working parents in cybersecurity
- After Party Sponsor (£5,000): Own the networking that happens after the talks end
For Individuals: Even if you can’t influence corporate budgets, you can still make a difference. The Benefactor Sponsorship (£500) gives individuals a way to directly support the community while securing one of just 8 exclusive tickets, skipping all the early bird and GA queues! Your name goes in the conference brochure (if you want…), and you become part of the story.
Important Deadlines:
- Tera & Giga Sponsors: July 1st, 2026
- All Other Sponsorships: August 1st, 2026
Ready to get involved? Email sponsors@bsidesbelfast.org to discuss how your organization can be part of BSides Belfast 2026. Trust me, having experienced the energy and passion at these events, the connections and visibility you’ll gain are worth far more than the investment. This isn’t just sponsorship – it’s community membership.
A Personal Note
As I wrap up this post from BSides London, I’m reminded why these community-driven events matter so much. The passion, the knowledge sharing, the genuine connections being made around me; this is what BSides is all about. And knowing that Belfast will continue this tradition in 2026 fills me with excitement and pride. So consider this your early Christmas present, your advance notice, your head start on planning the best cybersecurity event of 2026.
Belfast is calling, and trust me, you’ll want to answer. See you in Belfast!