Dr Ismini Vasileiou, founder and director of the East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster (EMCSC), will be a guest speaker at the Public Sector Cyber Security Conference and Exhibition 2026, where she will explore the changing role of human behaviour in strengthening cyber resilience.

The conference, organised by the Institute of Government & Public Policy, will take place on 25 November at 15Hatfields in London. It brings together senior public-sector leaders working across cyber security, information security, technology, data protection, digital and IT.

Dr Vasileiou’s session ‘The Human Firewall: Building a Cyber-Resilient Public Sector Workforce’ will focus on the need for organisations to look beyond traditional cyber awareness training and develop a stronger, more lasting culture of digital security.

While staff training, policy updates and phishing simulations remain important elements of cyber security programmes, the session will consider why they must be supported by everyday behaviours, clear leadership and workplace practices that help employees make secure decisions.

The discussion will examine:

• Explore the evolving role of human behaviour in public sector cyber security
• Examine how organisations can move beyond traditional awareness training to build a stronger culture of cyber security
• Consider the skills, behaviours and organisational approaches needed to create a genuinely cyber-resilient workforce

Dr Vasileiou, who is also an Associate Professor at De Montfort University, said: “Cyber resilience is not achieved through technology alone. Public-sector organisations rely on people making informed decisions every day, often while delivering vital services under pressure.

“Awareness training is an important starting point, but organisations also need to create a culture in which cyber security is understood as a shared responsibility. That means giving people practical knowledge, clear guidance and the confidence to ask questions or report something that does not seem right.”

The invitation reflects EMCSC’s role in bringing together regional businesses, education providers, cyber specialists and public-sector stakeholders to support practical and proportionate approaches to cyber resilience.

Through knowledge exchange, events and trusted signposting, EMCSC works to help organisations build digital-security capability, develop cyber skills and turn national cyber priorities into meaningful regional action.

The Public Sector Cyber Security Conference and Exhibition 2026 will provide a forum for leaders to discuss current challenges, share learning and consider how public services can strengthen their resilience against a changing cyber-risk landscape.