Holyrood Connect can confirm that the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, will join a line-up of senior public sector and cyber security leaders at Holyrood Connect's Public Sector Cyber Security Northern Ireland 2026 event, taking place in Belfast on 13 October 2026.
Speakers will include Alison Allen, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA), Dr Paul Miller, Deputy Director, Centre for Secure Information Technologies, Queens University Belfast and Simon Whittaker, the co-founder and chair of the NI Cyber Security Cluster. The event will be chaired by Iggy O’Doherty, former NI Civil Service Chief Information Security Officer.
The event will bring together decisionmakers, practitioners and industry experts to examine the latest cyber threats facing public services and explore practical strategies for strengthening digital resilience across Northern Ireland. As digital public services become increasingly prevalent, the risk and impact of cyber-attacks continue to grow, the event will offer delegates realistic, actionable cyber skills and lessons that they can apply immediately within their own organisations.
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Now in its ninth year, Public Sector Cyber Security Northern Ireland has become a leading forum for collaboration and knowledge sharing between government, local authorities, the wider public sector and cyber security specialists. The Northern Ireland conference sits within Holyrood Connect’s wider Public Sector Cyber Security Series, alongside events in Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow, creating a broader platform for public and third sector organisations across the UK and Ireland to share insight, strengthen resilience and respond collectively to fast-evolving cyber risks.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly said: “Anois agus méadú ag teacht ar na hathruithe digiteacha inár seirbhísí poiblí, tá sé níos tábhachtaí ná riamh roimhe go bhfanann muid céim chun tosaigh ar na cibearbhagairtí a mbíonn ag forbairt i rith an am
"As digital transformation accelerates across our public services, staying ahead of evolving cyber threats is more critical than ever.
“I am pleased to welcome Holyrood Connect's Public Sector Cyber Security conference to Belfast this October, as this event provides a vital platform for our public sector leaders to collaborate, share practical insights, and drive the effective cyber leadership needed to navigate our future digital landscape.
“Le chéile, tá muid ag tógáil todhchaí dhigiteach do Bhéal Feirste atá níos sábháilte agus níos seasmhaí.
“Together, we are building a safer, more resilient digital future for Belfast."
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Alison Allen, NILGA CEO, said: “Cyber security is a critical issue for local government, given the vital services councils deliver and the public information they hold. NILGA welcomes this opportunity to highlight the importance of resilience, shared learning and partnership working, helping councils across Northern Ireland strengthen their preparedness in an evolving digital landscape.”
Iggy O'Doherty, event chair said: "The threat landscape our public services face is changing faster than ever. We see daily threats of new and emerging varieties. It is vital to understand that complex landscape to drive better informed and effective cyber leadership. This conference brings together the people who carry that responsibility across Northern Ireland's public sector to share what's working and confront what isn't. I'm proud to chair an event that puts leadership and not just technology at the centre of the conversation."
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