The first guest speaker for the East Midlands Cyber Summit 2026 has been confirmed.

More than 100 business leaders, managers, and digital specialists are expected to attend the Summit – the region’s first cyber security conference designed specifically around the needs of small businesses. 

The event will combine expert talks, practical workshops, and peer networking, giving delegates real-world insight into how attackers operate and what steps organisations can take to strengthen their defences.

EMCSC has announced that the first confirmed speaker is Professor Phil Legg, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). 

He is Co-Director of UWEcyber, a Gold Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Education (ACE-CSE) recognised by the National Cyber Security Centre, and leads the Cyber Security research theme within UWE’s Computer Science Research Centre.

Phil has held multiple programme leadership roles, including leading the NCSC-certified MSc Cyber Security course at UWE between 2018 and 2024, and contributing to programme leadership for the BSc Cyber Security and Digital Forensics degree with a focus on industry partnerships and external engagement. 

His research centres on data analytics in cyber security: how to use data effectively for decision-making and risk modelling, while preventing misuse across collaborative human–AI systems, including work on adversarial machine learning, explainable AI, industrial control systems, container security, and device security.

He has led multi-disciplinary research projects with government, industry, and defence partners, and supervised a range of industry-sponsored doctoral projects. 

Alongside this, he is committed to outreach, working with schools and colleges to build cyber security skills, and is a founding member of CSE Connect – a collaboration network linking academia, industry, and government to support cyber education at all levels.

Dr Ismini Vasileiou, founder of EMCSC, said: “Phil brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and a real passion for education and outreach. His work at the intersection of data, AI, and cyber security is exactly the kind of forward-looking insight East Midlands businesses need. 

“We’re delighted to have him as our first announced speaker for the Summit and excited to give local SMEs the chance to learn directly from one of the UK’s leading cyber educators.”

The East Midlands Cyber Summit is an opportunity to understand how and why cyber attacks happen to SMEs and discover proven ways to boost your business’s resilience through speaking to experts.

Further speakers will be confirmed over coming weeks.

The Summit takes place on 12 February 2026 from 9am to 4pm at The Venue, Western Boulevard, Leicester. Registration is free for East Midlands businesses – but only 100 places are available. Reserve yours now here. 

The East Midlands Cyber Summit is delivered by East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster, funded by Innovate UK, and supported by De Montfort University. It’s part of the EMCSC’s wider CyberGrowth programme.