Successful co-location: trade fairs Cybersec Netherlands and Data Expo jointly attract over 10,000 professionals
The third edition of Cybersec Netherlands, the trade fair for cybersecurity professionals, drew 4,300 visitors — a 45% increase compared to 2024. For the first time, the event was held simultaneously with Data Expo, the trade fair for data and AI solutions and data-driven innovation, which welcomed more than 6,200 visitors — a 38.3% increase compared to the 2024 edition. Together, the two events hosted more than 10,000 experts in data, AI, and cybersecurity. For two days, Royal Jaarbeurs served as the meeting point for both fields.
From knowledge to action: collaboration delivers concrete solutions
“No organization can solve today’s challenges on its own. It’s all about ecosystems and collaboration. Events like this are perfect for gaining new insights, getting to know one another, and finding the right partners,” emphasized Frans Feldberg during his keynote at Data Expo. That is why Cybersec Netherlands and Data Expo joined forces this year. The joint setup provided clear added value for visitors: in just two days, they could explore both the latest data and AI solutions as well as the newest insights into digital security.
Jordi van Herk, ICT cluster manager at Jaarbeurs, said:
“Cybersec Netherlands showed that collaboration immediately leads to concrete solutions. On the exhibition floor, we saw not only many innovative technologies but especially in-depth discussions between experts, executives, and end users. It’s that interaction that makes the difference. Here, knowledge is translated into practice and policy, so that together we can take steps to truly make the Netherlands cyber-resilient.”
From specialist knowledge to practical tools
The overlap between the domains of data and cybersecurity became clearly visible, but both fairs also offered their own focus areas and themes.
Daniel Gebler, CTO of Picnic, said:
“Data Expo is for all levels and for every type of professional. You only need to be open-minded, willing to learn, and ready to share what you’re doing yourself. No one is purely tech, purely data, or purely business. We’re all full stack and must be able to operate across the entire spectrum.”
Roy Lindelauf, Professor of Data Science in Military Operations at the Ministry of Defence, noted:
“What I noticed, and what the audience also felt, is that it’s not about everyone starting to use machines, but about how we ensure that humans and machines work together as effectively as possible.”
Exhibitors and visitors were also able to go deeper into specialized content this year more than ever. Michael van der Vaart, Chief Experience Officer at ESET, observed that visitors are increasingly seeking specialized knowledge:
“You can tell that most already have the necessary background knowledge and are now looking for further depth. For example, in operational technology. This year, there was a dedicated section of the fair for that topic, which attracted professionals such as water authority staff who came with very specific questions.”
For visitors from the healthcare sector, like Ralph Blokpoel of Alerimus, Cybersec provided practical guidance:
“How do you, as a small organization with little budget and little knowledge, handle cybersecurity? To what extent can we keep our systems safe if our primary provider stops supplying? That’s what I came looking for.”
The next editions of Cybersec Netherlands and Data Expo will take place on September 9 and 10, 2026, at Royal Jaarbeurs.
