by In early October, as Europe slowly lets go of summer, Rome will come alive with a different kind of gathering. From October 5 to 8, the city will welcome the PECB Conference 2026, bringing together professionals from IT, security, and privacy to share ideas, debate challenges, and imagine the future of the industry.
This year’s edition arrives at a moment of rapid increase. Artificial intelligence, regulatory pressure, and emerging security risks are reshaping how organizations operate and how professionals prepare for what lies ahead. From the EU AI Act and DORA to AI security, privacy governance, and ethical hacking, the field is no longer on a single track but splits into multiple intersecting paths.
The conference agenda reflects that shift. New topics, new speakers, and new sessions aim to address not only what technologies are emerging, but how professionals can adapt responsibly and strategically. For many attendees, the mix of technical depth and future focus makes the event stand out.
“This is how we share knowledge and we go beyond recognition,” said Mostafa Alshamy of Egybyte in Cairo, reflecting on the collaborative nature of the conference.
Others point to its practical impact. Tymoteusz Olszewski of Speednet in Poland described the conference as a response to a growing skills imperative. “The PECB Conference is a great way to upskill your knowledge,” he said. “If you want to be prepared for what’s coming next in terms of cybersecurity, PECB Conference is one of the ways.”
The focus on learning is strengthened by two new pre-conference training courses. For the first time, participants will have the opportunity to pursue the Certified AI Security Professional and the Certified EU AI Governance Professional courses. Both certifications include an online phase on September 21-22, followed by in-person training in Rome on October 5-6, bridging theory and real-world application at a time when AI governance and security have become central concerns.
This year marks the introduction of the Believer Ticket, offered at a $350 reduction from the regular price, the lowest rate ever available for the conference. Designed for those who believe in the value of shared knowledge and community, the initiative reflects a wider commitment to inclusion during a period when professional development has never felt more essential.
For Govinda Mengji of Deloitte in the UAE, the value lies as much in the human connection as in the content. “We come, learn, understand, meet new people and the new technology,” he said. “People should come and attend these kinds of events and understand what is happening in the world.”
This focus on connection and learning reflects the conference’s evolution into a global hub for digital professionals.
What started as a focused initiative has grown into a vibrant international hub for experts navigating today’s complex digital world. The PECB Conference journey began in 2017 with the PECB Standards Insights Conference, creating a space for knowledge sharing, professional growth, and collaboration. Since then, it has grown in both scale and ambition, traveling to new locations, embracing different formats, and continuously adapting to the evolving needs of the industry.
With the conference approaching, updates on the agenda, speakers, and training leaders are coming soon. Registration is already open, so make sure to check it out!