Programme

Chairwoman Anna Jois will officially open the 2026 edition of State of Cyber Security with energy, enthusiasm, and her signature engaging style. As a certified moderator from Sweden with more than a decade of experience leading impactful conversations on stage, Anna knows exactly how to create the right atmosphere from the very first moment. The day will begin with a warm welcome and an opportunity to connect with fellow cybersecurity professionals, partners, and industry leaders. Anna will then guide attendees into the program ahead, introducing the first speakers and setting the tone for a day filled with inspiring insights, meaningful discussions, and valuable takeaways.

Most organisations are responding to the AI arms race in predictable ways.  More tools, faster detection, increasing automation. Necessary, but not sufficient. The real pressure is shifting elsewhere: into moments where the situation is unclear, time is short, and critical decisions cannot be delegated to technology. That is where risk is now concentrated – in human judgement under pressure. In this keynote, Monika Kullberg explores how AI is reshaping the conditions for decision-making: altering trust, increasing cognitive load, and accelerating the pace at which people must act without full clarity. Combining insights from psychology and cybersecurity, she introduces practical ways to strengthen judgement, navigate uncertainty, and maintain effectiveness when the stakes are high. Because in the end, the advantage will not come from tools alone, but from the ability to think clearly and act decisively when it matters most.

During the morning break-out sessions, attendees can choose from a selection of interactive sessions focused on sharing in-depth knowledge, practical insights, and discussion around the key themes of State of Cyber Security 2026. Further details and session content will be announced at a later stage.

Mark Snel, Head of Cyber Security at Volvo Cars, shares a deeply personal and practical story about resilience, burnout, and the human side of cybersecurity leadership. After stepping into a Business CISO role in 2019 and later taking responsibility for the SOC, the constant pressure of 24/7 security leadership began to take its toll, not only professionally, but personally as well. Faced with exhaustion and the risk of burnout, Mark was forced to confront a difficult question: could he continue doing the work he loved without sacrificing his health, family life, and peace of mind? In this honest and relatable session, Mark explores the unique stress patterns affecting CISOs and incident response professionals, while sharing the lessons he learned through trial, failure, and recovery. From cold exposure and meditation to micro-habits and resilience training with former special forces, attendees will gain practical insights into what truly helps under pressure. The session also highlights the organizational factors that amplify stress, including leadership expectations, role overload, and toxic workplace dynamics. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to recognize early warning signs, strengthen personal resilience, and build a more sustainable approach to cyber leadership, because cyber resilience ultimately depends on human resilience.

During the afternoon break-out sessions, attendees can choose from a selection of interactive sessions focused on sharing in-depth knowledge, practical insights, and discussion around the key themes of State of Cyber Security 2026. Further details and session content will be announced below here.