Paul Duffy, Deputy Secretary of Digital, Security and Finance Shared Services, welcomes the launch of CyberNI Week 2026, highlighting the event as a crucial platform for strengthening Northern Ireland’s cyber resilience.
Building on the momentum from previous years, the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre (NICSC) is once again bringing together leading voices in cyber security for CyberNI Week 2026, taking place from 2nd–8th March. This week-long series of events will unite government, industry, academia, charities, and the voluntary sector to strengthen Northern Ireland’s resilience against evolving cyber threats. CyberNI Week will feature a diverse programme of discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities and NICSC’s CyberNI conference. These events aim to raise cyber security awareness, share best practices, and encourage collaboration across all sectors.
Why Cyber Security Matters More Than Ever The latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 highlights the growing scale of the challenge. According to the report:
Just over four in ten businesses (43%) and three in ten charities (30%) reported having experienced any kind of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. This equates to approximately 612,000 UK businesses and 61,000 UK charities that identified a cyber breach or attack in the past year.
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Of businesses or charities that experienced a breach or attack in the last 12 months, phishing attacks remain the most prevalent and disruptive type of breach or attack (experienced by 85% of businesses and 86% of charities). Cybercriminals continue to exploit human behaviour and gaps in IT security, using phishing emails and smishing text messages to gain access to sensitive data.
These statistics serve as a stark reminder that cybercrime is continuing to evolve and are a warning to organisations that they must adapt quickly, especially now with AI-driven attacks bypassing traditional security measures. For businesses, this should highlight the importance of investing in advanced cyber defences and upskilling teams to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Join Us at the NI Cyber Security Conference 2026
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As part of CyberNI Week, NICSC is proud to host the CyberNI Conference on Tuesday 3rd March 2026. This highlight event will bring together cyber security professionals and senior leaders from the public and private sectors, offering a prime opportunity for networking, further enhancing the local cyber security community. This event will feature high calibre expert speakers and promises to be an engaging and informative experience.
If you’re a tech company operating in Northern Ireland or looking to expand into this growing market; CyberNI week is an unmissable opportunity to connect with peers, share insights, and showcase your expertise.
Get Involved
NICSC remains committed to making Northern Ireland cyber safe, secure, and resilient for everyone at home and at work. NICSC encourage businesses and individuals to visit www.nicybersecuritycentre.gov.uk for advice, guidance, and details on how to register for CyberNI Week events.
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