Dr Ismini Vasileiou will deliver the opening keynote at the Annual Identity and Access Management Show 2026 – with focus on the future of digital identity and cyber resilience.

The conference is organised by the Institute of Government & Public Policy (IGPP) and will bring together public sector leaders, regulators, financial services, academics and technology specialists to address real‑world identity and access management challenges.

In her keynote address, ‘Building a Trusted Digital Identity Ecosystem for the UK’, Dr Vasileiou will set out why digital identity has become central to both cyber resilience and public trust. 

She is expected to examine how effective identity frameworks can underpin secure digital services, reduce fraud and improve citizen experience across government and industry as well as identify what organisations must prioritise to build resilient digital ecosystems.

The session will also focus on the practical steps organisations must take to prepare for the rapid evolution of identity technologies. Delegates will hear how boards, CISOs and digital leaders can integrate identity into secure‑by‑design strategies, align security with user experience and ensure robust governance as new tools and standards emerge.

Dr Vasileiou’s appearance highlights the growing national role of the East Midlands cyber security community. Her participation showcases the region’s expertise in digital identity and signals EMCSC’s commitment to helping shape UK‑wide best practice, rather than simply responding to it.

Dr Vasileiou, an associate professor at De Montfort University, said: “Identity and access management has moved from a back‑office issue to a boardroom priority. This conference is a vital opportunity to bring policymakers, practitioners and vendors together around what ‘trusted digital identity’ really looks like in practice. 

“By sharing lessons across sectors, we can move faster, avoid repeating mistakes and make sure the frameworks we put in place genuinely protect people while enabling innovation.”

For EMCSC members, the keynote provides a timely platform to influence policy and practice at a critical moment for digital identity adoption. 

The conference is expected to generate new partnerships and opportunities for collaboration between regional organisations and national stakeholders as the UK moves towards a more trusted and interoperable digital identity landscape.

Other guest speakers include Andy Thornley, Head of Regulatory Policy at Innovate Finance, Jacob Prime, CEO & Co-founder at Ploy and Simon Newman, CEO of Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA).

The conference will take place on 14 July at the CorpAcq Stadium in Manchester.