Public Sector Cyber Security Scotland 2026

The refreshed Strategic Framework for a Cyber Resilient Scotland has just been published, in the face of an ever-changing cyber threat landscape. Scotland’s public sector must act now to protect vital services and citizens’ data.

Holyrood Connect’s Public Sector Cyber Security Scotland 2026 returns to Edinburgh on 3 February, bringing together cyber security experts and industry leaders to explore practical solutions to current and future challenges.

Through keynote speeches, expert panels, and interactive masterclasses, this event offers insight into how organisations can stay ahead in a constantly shifting landscape.

Key Themes

  • Strategies for embedding cyber resilience into public sector digital infrastructures
  • Harnessing the power of AI to improve real-time threat intelligence and response
  • Cyber incident exercising and enhancing incident response readiness across public services
  • Fostering collaboration and innovation

Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition area and connect with peers during dedicated networking sessions.

Who Should Attend?

This event is aimed at public and third sector professionals, including:

  • CIOs, CISOs, Heads of Digital and IT
  • Information Security and Risk Managers
  • Cyber strategy, policy, and governance professionals

Join us in Edinburgh in February to connect with peers and help shape a safer digital future for Scotland.

Secure your free place

This event is free to attend for those working in the public and third sectors. If you work in the private sector, please email sales@holyrood.com to discuss commercial opportunities.

Cyber Security Series

We’re also hosting the Public Sector Cyber Security Series in Glasgow on 4 February – find out more here.

Conference Highlights

Watch our video below to get a flavour of what to expect at the event.

Holyrood Connect

Holyrood Connect publishes leading Public Sector ICT news in Scotland and hosts renowned public sector tech events and conferences. You can view all of Holyrood Connect’s upcoming events here. 

Event Details

In today’s climate of evolving and highly sophisticated cyber threats, Scotland’s public sector faces a dual challenge: securing critical infrastructure while meeting growing public expectations for seamless digital services.

This session will explore how we move beyond compliance to embed true cyber resilience - building the ability to prevent, withstand, and recover from attacks.

Our speakers will delve into:

• Augmenting skills and resources to strengthen cyber defenses
• Collaboration and partnership working
• The growing importance of Cyber Resilience Auditing / cyber assessment frameworks
• Leveraging Capability at Scale
• What happens after a data leak

(please note that each masterclass will run twice, allowing delegates to attend two from 11:30 - 12:00 and 12:05 - 12:35)

(please note that each masterclass will run twice, allowing delegates to attend two from 11:30 - 12:00 and 12:05 - 12:35)

(please note that each masterclass will run twice, allowing delegates to attend two from 11:30 - 12:00 and 12:05 - 12:35)

As cyber threats grow in scale and complexity, traditional security approaches can struggle to keep up.

This session will focus on how public sector organisations are deploying artificial intelligence to strengthen threat detection and response, while addressing common challenges such as budget pressures, skills gaps, and operational constraints.

We will delve into the realities of implementing AI in public sector environments, including ethical considerations, procurement, and the need for operational transparency and trust.

In today’s threat landscape, it’s no longer a matter of if an incident will occur, but when. Building cyber resilience means having both the right architecture and the right people prepared to respond.

This session explores how organisations can prepare for attacks through structured training, cyber incident exercising, and incident response planning, alongside implementing Zero Trust principles.

Attendees will gain practical strategies to enhance readiness, limit damage, and maintain service continuity during cyber incidents.

Discover how Forestry and Land Scotland’s migration from an on-prem data center to public cloud preserved critical legacy systems, strengthened security posture, and created a solid foundation for future transformation.
This case study explores real challenges, practical solutions, and the benefits of a cloud-first strategy.

As cyber threats become more frequent and sophisticated, public sector organisations across Scotland must stay ahead.

This session will explore how we can enhance cyber resilience and prepare for what lies ahead.

Our expert speakers will discuss:

• The next steps in strengthening Scotland’s public sector cyber security - from foundational resilience to proactive threat management
• Forward-looking strategies for procurement, ensuring security is embedded from the outset
• How public sector organisations can harness innovation and collaborate with the private sector more effectively

Scott McKinnon
CSO
Palo Alto Networks
Ali Shepherd
CISO and Chief Scientific Adviser
Financial Conduct Authority
Nick Mahlitz
Head of Cyber Security and Infrastructure
Forestry and Land Scotland
Alex Harris
Head of Government Cyber Implementation
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Dr Siamak Shahandashti
Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security & Privacy
University of York
Gordy Macdonald
Cybercrime Protection, Incident Support and Training Officer
Police Scotland
Alan Gray
Head of National Cyber Security and Resilience
Scottish Government
Alison Brogan
Cyber Resilience Co-ordinator
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Nuala Kilmartin
Innovation Lead, Digital Security Technologies
InnovateUK, UKRI
Beverly Bowles
Head of Cyber
ScotlandIS
Jill Broom
Head of Programme | Cyber Resilience
techUK
Maggie Titmuss MBE
Chair - National Cyber Resilience Advisory Board
Scottish Government
Karen Meechan
Chief Executive
ScotlandIS
Keith McDevitt Headshot
Keith McDevitt MBE
SC3 Cyber Exercising Lead
Scottish Government
Chelsea Jarvie
CISO and global keynote speaker
Chelsea is an advocate and leader with regards to diversity in digital and has been a STEM ambassador since 2012. Chelsea was named as a "Woman of the Future" by Equate Scotland in their "Leading Women of Scotland" publication.

For speaking enquiries, please contact: diana.allen@holyrood.com

For sponsorship and partnership enquiries, please contact: steven.perrie-clyde@holyrood.com

For all other enquiries, please contact: eventsadmin@holyrood.com

Event Details
Sponsors
Supporting organisation