Utrecht, 22 September 2025 - The third edition of Cybersec Netherlands, the trade fair for cybersecurity professionals, attracted 4,300 visitors last week. That is a 45% growth compared to 2024. For the first time, the fair took place simultaneously with Data Expo, the trade fair for data and AI solutions and data-driven innovation, which welcomed over 6,200 visitors. A 38.3% growth compared to the 2024 edition. Together, both events welcomed more than 10,000 experts in the field of data, AI and cybersecurity. For two days, Royal Jaarbeurs was the meeting point for both fields.
From knowledge to action: cooperation delivers concrete solutions
"No single organisation 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 each other and finding the right partners," Frans Feldberg emphasised during his talk at Data Expo. That is also why Cybersec Netherlands and Data Expo joined forces. The joint set-up provided visitors with clear added value. In two days, they could explore the latest data and AI solutions as well as the latest insights on digital security. Jordi van Herk, cluster manager ICT Jaarbeurs: "Cybersec Netherlands showed that cooperation leads directly to concrete solutions. On the exhibition floor, we saw not only many innovative technologies but, above all, in-depth discussions between experts, administrators and end users. It is precisely this interaction that makes the difference. Here, knowledge is translated into practice and policy, so that together we take steps to make the Netherlands truly cyber resilient."
From specialist knowledge to practical tools
The overlap between the fields of data and cybersecurity was clearly visible, but both exhibitions also offered plenty of their own emphases and themes. Daniel Gebler, CTO of Picnic: "Data Expo is there for all levels and for every type of professional. You just need to be open-minded, willing to learn and also share something of what you do yourself. Nobody is pure tech, pure data or pure business. We are all full stack and need to be able to operate across the board." Roy Lindelauf, professor of Data Science in Military Operations at the Ministry of Defence: "What I noticed, and also resonated with the audience, is that it's not about everyone starting to use machines, but mainly about how we make sure humans and machines work together as well as possible."
Exhibitors and visitors were also able to find more in-depth content this year than ever before. Michael van der Vaart, Chief Experience Officer at ESET, saw that visitors were increasingly looking for specialist knowledge: "You notice that most already have the necessary knowledge and are now looking for further depth. For example, about operational technology. There is now a special place at the fair reserved for that topic and that attracted professionals such as employees of water boards who asked very specific questions." For visitors from the healthcare sector, such as Ralph Blokpoel of Alerimus, Cybersec offered practical guidance: "As a small organisation with little budget and little knowledge, how do you deal with cybersecurity? To what extent can we keep our systems secure if the primary provider stops delivering? That's what I'm looking for."
The next edition of Cybersec Netherlands and Data Expo will take place on 9 and 10 September 2026 at Royal Jaarbeurs.
