CyberSecure Leeds 2025 to tackle AI threats with people-first focus
KnowBe4 will host its annual CyberSecure Leeds 2025 event in September as part of Leeds Digital Festival 2025, with a focus on defending against artificial intelligence-enabled cyber threats by prioritising a people-first, data-driven approach.
The event under the theme "When AI Strikes, Humans Defend" is set to bring together cybersecurity professionals and industry experts to discuss the latest developments in AI-driven cyber attacks and strategies for organisations to enhance their defences by empowering their workforce.
AI as a threat
As business leaders face the mounting challenge posed by increasingly sophisticated AI-powered cyber attacks, the limitations of technology-only solutions have become more evident. CyberSecure Leeds 2025 will seek to address how a combination of data-driven insights and human awareness can create a more resilient organisational defence posture.
According to event organisers, the agenda will feature a series of sessions and live demonstrations, delving into the practical ways security awareness and human risk management can help organisations to mitigate these threats. The programme aims to provide organisations with tangible steps to strengthen security culture and empower employees as the first line of defence.
Key sessions
The event will include sessions such as "From Office to Anywhere: How to Build a Secure Culture, No Matter the Environment" chaired by Javvad Malik, Lead CISO Advisor at KnowBe4. Other highlights include a panel discussion on "Top 5 Threats Your Business Needs to be Aware of Right Now, and Defence Strategies," featuring Ant Davis, host of The Awareness Angle podcast, alongside Jack Chapman, SVP of Threat Intelligence at KnowBe4, and James Dyer, Threat Intelligence Lead at KnowBe4.
There will be additional sessions exploring the industries most vulnerable to AI-driven threats, accompanied by practical guidance on building resilience across different sectors. Attendees will also learn how security awareness training, when combined with human risk management analytics, can lead to measurable reductions in organisational risk, including the possibility of reducing a company's Phish-Prone Percentage (PPP) by up to 86% within 12 months.
Expert commentary
"AI continues to dramatically and rapidly transform the cyber threat landscape, making phishing, deepfakes and other social engineering attacks more convincing than ever before. Technology alone cannot keep pace with these threats. Building resilience means supporting employees to recognise and respond more effectively to advanced threats," comments Javvad Malik, lead CISO advisor at KnowBe4. "
KnowBe4 sees the evolving cyber threat environment as increasingly requiring action that goes beyond technical controls alone. The event will focus on equipping both technical and non-technical attendees with the necessary tools to recognise, resist, and report AI-enabled social engineering and phishing campaigns.
Building a security culture
The approach promoted at CyberSecure Leeds 2025 revolves around fostering a security-conscious culture within organisations, using analytics and data-driven decision-making. Through a combination of live demonstrations and moderated discussions, participants will be able to explore the impact of AI on traditional security models and discover approaches to mitigate risk through enhanced training and real-time situational awareness.
The organisers note that effective protection against modern cyber attacks requires the entire workforce to be vigilant, meaning that organisations must prioritise continuous education and practical, people-centred security strategies as part of their risk management efforts.
CyberSecure Leeds 2025 is positioned as an opportunity for organisations in Leeds and beyond to share experiences, review real-world case studies, and deepen understanding of how a people-first, data-driven security programme can support business resilience in the age of AI.
