About the Event

it-sa Expo&Congress is Europe's largest annual trade fair for IT security, organised by NürnbergMesse and held at NürnbergMesse in Nuremberg, Germany. The 2026 edition takes place October 27-29, continuing the event's established position as the central European meeting point for the IT security industry. Founded in 2009, it-sa has grown into the definitive showcase for the European and international IT security market, addressing the full range of cybersecurity products and services: hardware, software, training, consulting, and Security as a Service. The event operates as part of the broader it-sa 365 platform, which provides year-round community, content, and networking between the annual trade fair editions. The ATHENE Startup Award UP@it-sa recognises outstanding innovations from emerging cybersecurity companies at the event.

Audience & Attendees

it-sa Expo&Congress serves decision-makers, IT security officers, experts, and practitioners from all sectors of the economy - including industry, the service sector, and public administration. Exhibitors at it-sa represent the entire IT security market from Germany and abroad, offering a European-unique industry showcase. The event attracts both buyers evaluating solutions and security professionals seeking specialist knowledge and peer exchange. Visitors from across the DACH region and internationally attend, with a particularly strong representation from German-speaking Europe. Media partners include Behörden Spiegel, Security Insider, kes magazine, IT-SICHERHEIT, heise group, it-daily.net, Infosecurity Magazine, EC-Council, and a broad range of specialist IT security publications.

Programme Structure

The three-day programme combines the trade exhibition with a multifaceted congress and forum programme. The freely accessible Forum programme - the it-sa insights series - provides product-neutral lectures, contributions, and discussion panels delivering current industry expertise without vendor positioning. The Congress@it-sa programme, organised in cooperation with renowned associations and organisations, offers an intensive dialogue on current IT security topics at a deeper level. A Digital Preview Day precedes the physical event for online participants. The it-sa@home format provides online access to selected event content. IT Security Talks and exhibitor-hosted Tech Talks sessions run alongside the main programme. The exhibition floor itself is the primary draw, providing a comprehensive showcase of IT security solutions available nowhere else in Europe at equivalent scale.

Main Topics

it-sa covers the full breadth of IT security practice. Core content areas include cloud and mobile security; data security and network security; protection of critical infrastructure (KRITIS); industrial security and OT security; identity and access management; ransomware defence and incident response; hacking and defence - with practical and technical demonstrations; AI in cybersecurity; IT regulation and compliance including NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act; digital sovereignty as a strategic imperative; data centre security; awareness and human factors in security; and Security as a Service delivery models.

Closing Session

The trade fair closes on October 29. The it-sa 365 platform provides year-round access to content, community, and digital services between editions.

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