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Securi-Tay, which brought together figures from across the cybersecurity world, marked its 14th year
Abertay University welcomed hundreds of attendees to Europe’s largest student‑led cybersecurity conference.
Securi-Tay returned to campus on Friday February 27 for its 14th edition – with 500 tickets sold for the event, marking its biggest ever year.
The conference, organised annually by the Abertay Ethical Hacking Society, is one of the highlights of the University calendar - bringing together industry professionals, academics and students from across the cybersecurity world.
Securi-Tay hosted an array of speakers from across the industry, alongside workshops and networking opportunities.
This year’s opening keynote speech was given by Abertay Ethical Hacking graduate Gavin Holt - one of the founders of the cybersecurity firm AmberWolf, where he serves as Chief Information Security Officer.
His speech delved into the changing world of cyber-terrorism – and questioned whether emerging teen cyber gangs are posing more of a threat to the world’s cyber-security than Advanced Persistence Threat groups.
Gavin – who helped organise the third edition of Securi-Tay – said:
AmberWolf were proud to be a platinum sponsor of Securi-Tay 2026 at Abertay University. Two of our co-founders are Abertay graduates, along with several of our team, so supporting this event is something we feel strongly about. Around a dozen of our team attended, and it was brilliant to see talks from industry peers alongside up-and-coming students and first-time speakers. My keynote explored how the threat landscape has evolved from nation-state espionage and organised crime to a world where loosely organised teenage collectives are having a material impact on UK GDP and causing visible disruption on the high street. As defenders, our ability to detect and respond must evolve at the same pace, without losing sight of core hygiene. Our Principal Consultant Iain Smart also co-delivered a hands-on workshop on CI/CD pipeline and supply chain security, directly transferring skills and knowledge that we use every day in our professional services to students. The Abertay Ethical Hacking Society raises the bar year after year, and their success reflects not just their own drive, but the quality of the academics who support them, equipping students not only for their degrees, but to make a real impact on the security community throughout their careers. We are already looking forward to next year.
James Kwaan, Cyber Operations Manager at Lloyds Banking Group, gave the closing keynote with a talk focused on the cyber landscape in relation to AI and geopolitics.
Other speakers included the National Cyber Security Centre’s Chief Technology Officer Ollie Whitehouse, strategic cyber-security leader Sam Ryan, and many more.
Ross Cameron, Abertay Ethical Hacking Society’s President, said:
Securi-Tay 2026 was incredibly special. With back-to-back talented speakers and great workshops, the number of people on campus was higher than ever before. It was a true testament to the Abertay Ethical Hacking Society’s committee, who dedicated immense time and energy to pushing Securi-Tay to a whole new level. One of the best elements of Securi-Tay is that it welcomes everyone from the cybersecurity industry - whether they are current students, industry veterans, or simply anyone with a passion for cyber. Securi-Tay welcomes all, with many attendees travelling from across the globe to be there! With almost 500 people on campus for the conference, it is clear that Securi-Tay isn't just a student event anymore - it's a world-class cybersecurity event.
