Global Conference to Name Belfast as 2017 Host

Belfast will add to its existing reputation as a European hub for cyber security when it plays host to a global conference this May, considered among the industry’s largest.

The OWASP AppSec EU 2017 Conference is to be held at the Hilton Belfast and the Waterfront Gall and is among the largest events in the cyber security global calendar.

The conference, which has previously been staged in Athens, Amsterdam, and Rome, could see over 800 delegates representing numerous countries around the world, earning an estimated £1m for Belfast’s economy.

OWASP Belfast co-founder, Gary Robinson said that AppSec EU will be among the largest cyber security conferences of the year. He added:

“It is a major coup to bring this event to the city and reflects Belfast’s status as a rising star as a worldwide cyber security centre.

Northern Ireland tops the rankings for US foreign direct investment in cyber and the strength of the cyber cluster that is developing here has started to be recognised in the wider industry.”

IT professionals at any level are invited to attend. There will be student competitions included in the programme, for those looking to hone their skills in preparation for applying to cyber security jobs. The event will also play host to a number of seminars aimed at software teams in order to improve ethical hacking and secure coding skills.

The schedule also includes several management level seminars on issues surrounding the implementation of organisational processes related to cyber security in software development. Other areas on the agenda could yet include cyber security recruitment.