Infosecurity Europe 2025 explores geopolitics & cyber threats

Infosecurity Europe 2025 has announced that Rory Stewart OBE and Paul Chichester, Director of Operations at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), will headline the second day of its upcoming event.

This year's conference, held at ExCeL London from 3 to 5 June 2025, will focus on the growing connection between geopolitics and cybersecurity, with organisers highlighting how power shifts, new alliances, and economic pressures are increasing the complexity of digital defence strategies for organisations globally.

Rory Stewart's keynote, titled "Shifting Sands: Geopolitics, Threat and the Future," is scheduled for Wednesday, 4 June, and will address the rapid evolution of the geopolitical world order. As global instability reaches its highest point in decades, Stewart is expected to discuss how nations are adapting to shifting alliances and economic dynamics, and the increasing sophistication of digital warfare tactics.

Recent intelligence reports have shown a marked increase in cyber operations linked to state actors, with the NCSC warning that hostile states are using cybercrime both as an economic tool and a strategic weapon. Ongoing shifts in global alliances have resulted in some countries forging closer ties, while others become more isolated. These developments have direct consequences for cybersecurity, making threats harder to predict. Stewart will provide his perspective on how these trends might develop in future years.

Continuing this theme, Paul Chichester of the NCSC will deliver a keynote titled "The Cyber Cold War? Geopolitics Driving Cyber Threat" later in the day, offering attendees insights drawn from the frontline of UK national cyber defence. Chichester will share intelligence on the latest tactics seen across different regions, discuss the rise of new international actors, and highlight the strategic targeting of UK infrastructure.

The NCSC has reported that the number of "nationally significant" cyber incidents doubled from September 2024 to May 2025, compared with the same period in the prior year. In 2024, the organisation received nearly 2,000 reports of cyber-attacks, 89 of which were classified as nationally significant, including 12 critical incidents.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the UK is increasing national resilience amid international tensions and where organisations should focus defences. Brad Maule-ffinch, Event Director at Infosecurity Europe, stated: "The relationship between geopolitics and cybersecurity is a growing concern and should be a topic for discussion in every boardroom. These sessions will provide our attendees with vital knowledge on the threats shaping our industry. Both keynotes will be essential to grasping the reality of these threats and the future of cybersecurity."

The event will also see the return of several Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame alumni, who will chair the Keynote Stage throughout the week. These figures are widely recognised for their experience in cybersecurity and their ability to distil complex industry developments into meaningful insight for security professionals.

The Hall of Fame aims to honour respected cybersecurity leaders and practitioners, with this year's alumni returning to encourage discussion and support emerging professionals in the sector. As part of the Hall of Fame programme, there will be a special ceremony and open mic session, which will enable attendees to interact directly with experienced industry leaders.

The 2025 Keynote Stage will be chaired on Tuesday 3 June by Graham Cluley, an independent security expert and well-known podcast host. Cluley, who has worked extensively with international law enforcement agencies and has contributed to the development of antivirus software, will oversee discussions related to technical and practical aspects of security.

On Wednesday 4 June, Jenny Radcliffe, known as The People Hacker and a specialist in the psychology of security and social engineering, will serve as chair. Radcliffe's involvement draws on her career focus on explaining the human factors affecting cybersecurity risk.

For Thursday 5 June, Becky Pinkard, Managing Director of Global Cyber Operations and a long-standing security strategist, will lead the day's sessions and spotlight issues around operational resilience and cyber leadership. Pinkard will also announce Ciaran Martin's induction into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame. Martin, the founding Chief Executive of the UK's NCSC, is recognised for his role in shaping the country's cyber defence strategy.

The Hall of Fame celebrations will continue with an Open Mic session led by alumni, including 2024 inductee Stephen Khan, Chief Business Information Security Officer at Cognizant Technology Services. Attendees will be able to put forward questions and gain additional insights from industry leaders.

Infosecurity Europe 2025 will feature more than 300 exhibitors and a wide-ranging conference agenda that includes speakers from the private sector, government, and academia.