The theme for CSSA 2026 reflects the urgent need for organisations to adapt and thrive in an environment where artificial intelligence permeates every aspect of business and society. It’s about creating systems, cultures, and leadership approaches that can withstand disruption and leverage AI as a strategic advantage.

Furthermore, it highlights that organisations' workforce is multi-generational. It is therefore important that strategies are put in place that acknowledges and accommodates each generations' approach to work and managing information and cybersecurity.

CSSA 2026 key focus areas

During CSSA 2026, we will explore critical topics shaping the future of work and organisational resilience.

• AI and Technology: harnessing AI-driven solutions to enhance productivity and decision-making and managing the associated security risks.
• Cyber Resilience: anticipating, withstanding, responding to, and recovering from cyberattacks while maintaining core business functions in a world with ever evolving, more complex and unpredictable digital threats.
• Culture and Privacy: balancing transparency, trust, and data protection in a connected world, by building “cybersafe” through awareness, training, and practical security measures for organisations and people of all ages.
• Geopolitical and Supply Chain Risks: addressing geopolitical tensions that impact cybersecurity strategy, including cyber espionage and intellectual property theft.
• Regulatory and Compliance Challenges: staying ahead of shifting legal and ethical standards, as well as navigating the increasing fragmentation of cybersecurity regulations across different jurisdictions.
• People and Leadership: empowering leaders to foster adaptability to technological advances and inclusivity across generations. This includes fostering a community that spans across different ages, and sectors, such as IT, business, and the public and private sectors. 
   

Speaker opportunity

We're currently in the process of putting together another exciting line-up of exceptional speakers to present at CSSA 2026.

If you are keen to present a 20-minute session at CSSA 2026 on one or more of the focus areas above, please send the information below to the CSSA Organising Committee for review. You can email your submission to conference@cssa.ac.za. 

Information required for presentation submission

• Focus area(s) you'll be addressing
• Talk title
• Abstract of 200 words

Session slots are limited. Please submit your proposals by 31 July 2026. The organising committee will then provide an outcome by mid-August 2026.