INCYBER Forum 2026: Europe’s Premier Cybersecurity Event to Address Digital Dependencies
From March 31 to April 2, 2026, Lille, France, will host the 18th edition of the INCYBER Forum, a leading European event dedicated to cybersecurity and digital trust.1 The forum will focus on the critical theme of “Mastering our digital dependencies,” addressing the growing concerns surrounding digital sovereignty, artificial intelligence and risk management.
Cybersecurity has evolved beyond a simple IT expense, becoming a fundamental issue of sovereignty for both nations and businesses.2 Questions surrounding control of essential digital infrastructure – protocols, cloud services, and submarine cables – are driving the require for concrete answers and strategic collaboration. The INCYBER Forum aims to provide a platform for these discussions.
A Unique Platform for Cybersecurity Collaboration
Organized by Forward Global, an international risk management company, the INCYBER Forum distinguishes itself from typical cybersecurity trade shows.2 It’s designed as a hybrid event, combining the identification of practical solutions with strategic debates at the highest levels of government and industry. The forum operates under the High Patronage of the President of the French Republic.
The 2026 event will be held at the Lille Grand Palais.3
Key Speakers and Participants
The INCYBER Forum 2026 will feature prominent speakers including:
- Olivier Gavalda, CEO, Groupe Crédit Agricole
- Neal Jetton, Director Cybercrime, INTERPOL
- Octave Klaba, CEO and Founder, OVH Cloud
- Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs
- Major General Emmanuel Naëgelen, Cyberdefense Commander
- Kevin Polizzi, CEO, Unitel Group
- Thomas Reynaud, CEO, Groupe iliad
- Ashish Shrestha, Former Group CISO of Jaguar Land Rover & CEO of Zyn Global
- Vincent Strubel, Director General, ANSSI
- Philippe Vallée, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Cybersecurity & Digital Identity, Thales
- Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, European Commission
- Andy Yen, Founder/CEO of Proton1
Forum Highlights: Conferences, Demos, and Thematic Villages
The three-day forum will encompass over 22,000 m² of exhibition space, featuring in-depth conferences, technical demonstrations at the TechLab, masterclasses on crisis management, and thematic round tables.2
Thematic villages will focus on key areas of the cybersecurity sector:
- Cybersecurity for Industry (OT environments)
- ID Forum (digital identity)
- Innovation Village (35 start-ups and pitch space)
- Secure AI (dedicated to artificial intelligence as an attack surface)
Growing International Presence
The INCYBER Forum has experienced significant growth in recent years. The 2025 edition attracted 18,200 physical participants, 4,000 online participants, 580 speakers, and representation from 100 countries.2 Over 6,570 decision-makers directly involved in security and digital transformation projects attended, a 13% increase from 2024.
The event facilitated 111,000 badge scans and an average of 160 qualified contacts per exhibitor, with exhibitors who likewise presented seeing a 150% increase in contacts. A total of 4,200 business activities were organized during the 2025 forum.
Lille: A European Cybersecurity Hub
The INCYBER Forum is a significant asset to the cybersecurity ecosystem in the Lille metropolis, a region recognized for its expertise in the field.2 Hello Lille, the Metropolitan Attractiveness Agency, supports companies looking to establish themselves in the region, fostering a dynamic ecosystem and network of partners.
Registrations for the 2026 INCYBER Forum are now open.1
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