Opening Words from the Founders. Hazel McPherson and Jess Matthews kick off CSIDES with a warm welcome, the story behind the event, and an invitation to be part of our cyber coastal community.

Crisis Simulator

Adam Harrison shares how a series of unexpected opportunities, chance encounters, and happy accidents led him into the fascinating world of digital forensics. From first steps to career highlights, discover how embracing the unexpected can open the door to a truly rewarding profession.

You don't need to be a tech whiz to navigate the choppy waters of cyber crime. In this session, we'll deep dive into the latest online scams and digital trends washing up on our shores - and show you how to steer clear of trouble. From phishing attempts that bait your personal info, to dodgy downloads lurking in the digital deep, you'll learn how to protect your online presence. We'll cover key topics like securing your online accounts, managing your digital footprint, spotting scam bait, and safeguarding your devices from malware. You'll leave this session with practical tips you can share with friends, family and crewmates at work. Don't let scammers rock your boat - join us and sail safer online!

Meet our sponsors and community supporters, sit and chat, buy lunch or hot drinks, generally enjoy the view!

The Cyber Scheme

One thing Clare was adamant about when she left school is that she would NEVER teach. Twenty years in academia later (topped up with a few years in industry) and with her panto days firmly behind her, Clare will share how her career in cyber security has evolved, including key highlights and achievements. She will also provide some insights into career opportunities along with hints and tips for a successful career journey.

TBC

Star Wars is the ultimate cyber security story. From risk management, through to DR plans (Deathstar recovery plans!) George Lucas didn't just create a fantastic story - he gave us lessons about cyber security even before cyber security was a thing! Come to this talk if you are a fan of Star Wars, and if you're curious how a film created in 1977 still has lessons for us today.

Young people are bombarded with notifications, algorithms and pressure to stay “always on”, making it hard to tell what’s safe and what’s not. This conversational workshop helps families and educators cut through the noise. We open with a real-life story about how one young person gave up their smartphone to show how endless scrolling affects mood and attention, and to normalise honest discussion about online habits. 

We will then take a look at our guide to Simplify Your Digital Life and share practical, low-effort ways to reduce overwhelm and feel more in control of tech. The session will blend online-safety essentials such as privacy, scams, grooming and cyberbullying with wellbeing skills, including boundaries, sleep, notification hygiene, positive digital routines with space for questions and real-world scenarios.

From a coastal community to global cybersecurity leadership, Scott shares his journey through different disciplines of cybersecurity, highlighting how transferable skills (gained from education, employment, and volunteering) have shaped his career. The session also offers an insight into how Threat Intelligence has evolved and why it’s increasingly vital in today’s security landscape.

Punk Security

Avoiding an incident isn't always possible. Motivated attackers can and do regularly breach organisations, in a variety of ways that are constantly evolving. This session will look at real world cyber incidents and their impacts, those difficult conversations that happen at 3am, and areas that people don't realise they really need support with until it’s too late. The session will then look at threats from a risk management perspective, re-introducing the concept of Threat Modelling and how it can be used effectively in a variety of ways to proactively protect yourself and your business. With inspiring insight and practical tips you can implement straight away – don’t miss this chance to develop a new skill that will enable you to build resilience in an increasingly vulnerable digital landscape.

TBC

My career and how you are just as capable.

What would it be like to be “there”, just when you were needed, to offer a tap on the shoulder and steer your colleagues in the right direction when they were about to do something risky? Click a link, plug in a USB, upload a file, give away their credentials…? This takes nudge theory to its logical conclusion – timely, in the moment and even measurable. In this talk, Tim will touch on why we should be looking at nudge theory, what makes a good nudge and why, how to run a campaign to steer behaviours, and the potential impact this approach can have. He will also offer some takeaways on how to apply nudge theory, behavioural and learning science to your own awareness campaigns as you build up towards real-time nudges.

TBC

The DCI has been locked up and the entire case against APT is in jeopardy! Well...at least that’s the case in our Cyber Escape Room! Put yourself in the shoes of a cyber detective and take on a series of fun challenges to help clear a member of your unit. Participants will learn top cyber security tips which will help protect you, your family, and your organisation from cyber crime. This workshop is aimed at non-technical personnel (although everyone is welcome to have a go!), and uses gamification to engage different types of learners and make the subject matter more accessible.

Collaboration between academia and industry is essential to ensure research is both rich and practical.

Academia provides the theoretical framework, in-depth analysis, and innovative ideas, while industry offers real-world insights, practical challenges, and the resources needed to implement solutions. By working together, both sectors can ensure that research is not only academically rigorous but also aligned with industry needs, enhancing its applicability and impact. This partnership helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring research outcomes are viable, actionable, and capable of addressing actual business challenges.

Valeen Oseh-Ovarah

TBC

Most career talks are just LinkedIn profiles read out loud. This one is different.

In a playful choose your own adventure format, Russ Taylor puts his career on the big screen, warts, wins, and all. At key decision points, you’ll vote on which path to take, weighing the same pros and cons he faced. While his own story is already written, exploring his choices will shine a light on how decision-making shapes careers in cyber security.

Expect honesty, humour, and maybe a touch of cheap therapy. Walk away with insights into navigating your own career crossroads, minus the cringe (mostly).

Cyber Helpline (TBC)

South West Cyber Resilience Centre

Holly Foxcroft

Tough conversations. Home truths. Real self-reflection.

This is not just another breakout. It is an immersive, provocative session where insider threats take centre stage, fuelled by audience participation. Expect conspiracies, revenge, and more drama than a Korean soap opera as we pull back the curtain on one of cyber security’s most complex challenges: the trusted insider.

We will explore the psychological and situational triggers that can turn loyal employees into dangerous risks, and ask the uncomfortable question: “Could I become the malicious insider?” Through real-world scenarios, we will examine red flags, motivations, and the thin line between carelessness, exhaustion, and intent.

Attendees will leave with sharper awareness of human behaviours, practical strategies to spot and support at-risk colleagues, and a deeper appreciation of the human stories behind insider incidents. This is not about hunting villains. It is about recognising when the risk lies within ourselves, and walking away equipped to better protect your people, your organisation, and your own role in the security chain.

Neurocyber (TBC)

Zafrin Malek-Mithila

BCS, ISSG and Chartership (CITP)

Closing Panel

Susanne Bitter

Closing Words

Cyber's Got Talent

Cyber House Party