BSides Bangalore 2026 brings global cybersecurity leaders together in Bengaluru

BSides Bangalore Annual Cybersecurity Conference 2026 brought together cybersecurity experts, researchers, government officials and industry leaders in Bengaluru. Bengaluru hosted one of India's biggest cybersecurity gatherings as the BSides Bangalore Annual Cybersecurity Conference 2026 was held on July 9 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, Whitefield. The day-long conference, organised in collaboration with World Wide Women in Cyber Security (W3-CS) and powered by CloudSEK, brought together cybersecurity professionals, researchers, government officials, students, technology experts and industry leaders to discuss the rapidly changing digital security landscape. The conference began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by opening remarks from Shri Purushotham Yenamandra, Sujatha Yakasiri and Ashok Ratnagiri, setting the tone for a day focused on cybersecurity research, leadership, innovation and collaboration. One of the major highlights of the conference was the keynote session by CloudSEK Founder Rahul Sasi, titled "The Future of AI and Cybersecurity." During the session, he explained how artificial intelligence is transforming the cybersecurity industry by creating both new opportunities and new security challenges for organisations, researchers and technology professionals. Speaking in an exclusive interview with NewsFirst Prime, Rahul Sasi emphasised that the future of cybersecurity depends more on industry-relevant practical skills than traditional textbook learning. He said individuals interested in cybersecurity should focus on gaining hands-on experience and practical knowledge to stay relevant in the rapidly evolving field. When asked for one important piece of advice for the public, Rahul Sasi urged people never to ignore suspicious online activity. He said that whenever anyone notices something unusual or potentially dangerous in the digital space, they should immediately inform someone, report the issue or seek help instead of remaining silent. According to him, early reporting can play a vital role in preventing cybercrime and protecting others from becoming victims. The conference featured an extensive agenda covering several aspects of modern cybersecurity. Participants attended keynote speeches, executive tabletop simulations, CXO roundtable discussions, expert panel discussions, technical presentations and live demonstrations, all aimed at encouraging knowledge sharing and strengthening collaboration within the cybersecurity ecosystem. Dr. Purushottam Y, Deputy Director at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), attended the conference as one of the distinguished chief guests. A major attraction was the CISO War Room Simulation, where participants explored strategies to respond to sophisticated cyberattacks and emerging digital threats. Practical workshops were also conducted on topics such as Hacking Agentic AI, MCP Security, AI Governance and Leadership, allowing attendees to gain hands-on exposure to current cybersecurity challenges. Researchers and security professionals showcased their original work through dedicated research presentations and live technical demonstrations, giving participants insights into the latest innovations in cybersecurity. The event also featured several special activities, including the Wonder Women Capture the Flag (W2-CTF) competition, EmergeX: Unveiling Innovation startup showcase, mentoring sessions with CXOs and technology leaders, a career fair supported by Tesco, and a Live Hacking Village, where visitors witnessed demonstrations on drone hacking and lock-picking techniques. To honour excellence within the cybersecurity community, the organisers presented Excellence Awards to recognise outstanding contributions to the field. Every registered participant received a welcome kit containing a laptop bag, hoodie and pen. The conference also included quizzes, networking sessions and lucky draws to make the event interactive and engaging. Participants also had the opportunity to win exciting prizes. One lucky attendee was eligible to win a MacBook as the jackpot prize, while 10 lucky draw winners received smartwatches. Additionally, five social media champions were rewarded with special goodies. Group registrations were offered discounts of up to 35 percent. The conference received support from several leading organisations in the cybersecurity and technology sectors. CloudSEK served as the Powered-By Partner, while Tesco joined as the Hiring and Diamond Sponsor. Other partners included JFrog (Platinum Sponsor), Black Duck (Gold Sponsor), Check Point (Gold Sponsor), CySecK (Karnataka Government Security Partner), AccuKnox (CNAPP Partner), CREST (Certification Sponsor), Skillbit (B5CTF Partner), Tigergate (Exhibit Sponsor), Infosectrain (Exhibit Sponsor and AI Governance Masterclass Partner), Hacktify (W2CTF Platform Sponsor and Drone Hacking Village Partner) and ISAC (Knowledge Partner), among others. With discussions centred on artificial intelligence, digital threats, practical cybersecurity skills and industry collaboration, BSides Bangalore 2026 provided a comprehensive platform for professionals, students and organisations to exchange ideas and prepare for the future of cybersecurity.