ScotlandIS Cyber

Join senior leaders and professionals from across cyber security, IT, risk and digital transformation for an evening of meaningful conversations, expert insight and high-quality networking in the heart of Edinburgh.

Hosted by i-confidential, Cyber Connect brings together practitioners, security leaders and decision-makers to explore the challenges shaping the future of cyber security – from AI and operational technology to emerging legislation, resilience and the evolving threat landscape.

Why attend?

• Connect with cyber, IT and risk professionals from across Scotland.
• Hear practical, thought-provoking talks from recognised industry experts.
• Expand your network in an informal setting with senior leaders and peers.
• Meet the i-confidential team and discover the work we’re doing across the cyber community.

The Evening

Our 2026 speaker programme is ready to be unveiled, with a line-up of influential voices covering topics such as:

• Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
• Space & Critical Infrastructure
• Operational Technology (OT) Security
• Cyber Risk, Governance & Legislation

We’ll be announcing our full speaker line-up over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for the announcements.

The Abercromby Group: Security conversations without the conference

This autumn sees the first gathering of the Abercromby Group, a new series of security networking evenings in Edinburgh designed to bring Scotland’s security community together across the boundaries that often keep us apart.

Hosted at the Royal Scots Club and supported by CIISec, the evening will bring together security leaders and practitioners, public sector colleagues, academics, researchers, students and those earlier in their careers.

There are no exhibition stands, no sales pitches and no long agendas. Instead, expect two short contributions to get the conversation started, followed by plenty of time to meet people, exchange ideas and make connections.

Whether you are a CISO, researcher, student, civil servant, practitioner or simply looking to become more connected with Scotland’s security community, you are very welcome.

Come along to the first Abercromby Group evening and help shape the community from the start.

Draft agenda
Full timings and speaker details will be confirmed closer to the event.

• Doors open – Welcome drink (further refreshments at your own cost)
• Welcome – Introducing the Abercromby Group and what we hope to achieve
• Security & threat update – A short perspective with Scottish or sector relevance
• Guest speaker – A conversation-provoking contribution
• Networking – Plenty of time for discussion and new connections
• Close – At the published finish time

R&D tax credits are designed to support innovation, but many Scottish technology companies are facing growing uncertainty around eligibility, evidence, compliance and HMRC enquiries.

This roundtable will bring together ScotlandIS members to share practical experiences, identify common challenges and explore how the system could work more effectively for innovative companies.

The discussion will help ScotlandIS develop an evidence base to support future engagement with government and HMRC, ensuring the voice of Scotland’s tech sector is clearly represented.

This is an interactive session so that you can provide your feedback. We would encourage you to join with your camera and mic on.

Join our series of events, ScotlandIS Tech Tidbits, on the first Tuesday of every month!

These 30 minute webinars will be short, informative sessions on a variety of topics, from exporting to cybersecurity, cloud computing to procurement, and many more.

Each event will feature a ScotlandIS member offering their expert insights and advice on the topic in hand, however you do not need to be a member to attend these talks.

For December, we’ll be joined by ScotlandIS member Databarracks.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the cyber threat landscape, enabling more sophisticated attacks while giving organisations new ways to detect threats, respond to incidents and strengthen their resilience.

This webinar will explore how attackers and defenders are using AI, the risks and opportunities it creates, and its implications for incident response, crisis management and business continuity. It will consider whether organisations are prepared for these changes and what they can do to build resilience as AI continues to evolve.

ScotlandIS is working with Third Sector Lab to help connect more of Scotland’s technology community with charities and third-sector organisations through the Digital Trustees programme.

Digital is now part of almost every board-level conversation — from cyber security and data to AI, digital services and organisational resilience. But many charities and third-sector organisations don’t always have that knowledge represented around the board table. The Digital Trustees programme helps organisations identify the digital skills and experience they need and connects them with professionals who can bring that expertise as trustees or board advisers.

In this informal webinar, ScotlandIS and Third Sector Lab will explain how the programme works, what being a Digital Trustee actually involves and how people from across the technology sector can get involved.

We’ll also look at how employers can maximise the impact of employee volunteering by supporting people into trustee and board roles — creating meaningful opportunities for staff to use their skills, develop leadership and governance experience, and make a tangible contribution to the third sector.

We’ll cover:

• what charities are looking for from Digital Trustees;
• what the trustee role involves in practice;
• why you don’t need to be a charity or governance expert to contribute;
• how experience in areas such as technology, cyber, data, AI and digital transformation can add value at board level;
• what technology professionals can gain personally and professionally from becoming a trustee;
• how employers can use board and trustee opportunities as part of their employee volunteering, development and social impact activity; and
• how Third Sector Lab supports both individuals and organisations through the matching process.

This isn’t about joining a board and being expected to “fix the technology”. It’s about bringing a digital perspective to the wider conversation — helping boards ask better questions, understand risk and make better-informed decisions.

For technology professionals, it’s also an opportunity to use your experience in a completely different environment, develop your leadership and governance skills, broaden your network and make a tangible contribution to an organisation or cause you care about.

For employers, it can also provide a more strategic form of employee volunteering — one that creates real value for charities while supporting staff development, engagement and wider social impact.

Who should attend?

This session is particularly relevant to people working across technology, cyber security, data, AI, software, digital transformation, product, design and digital leadership.

It will also be useful for employers, people leaders and CSR/ESG teams interested in creating more meaningful volunteering and leadership-development opportunities for their staff.

You don’t need previous trustee experience — just an interest in using your knowledge and experience to help another organisation.