Ottawa Secures International Cybersecurity and Defence Conference, INCYBER Forum Canada 2026

Feb 15, 2026

Ottawa, ON – Scheduled to take place December 1–3, 2026, at Rogers Centre Ottawa, with pre-events across the river in Gatineau, INCYBER Forum Canada is a premier international and pan-Canadian conference focused on cybersecurity and AI safety, and it is coming to the Ottawa-Gatineau region for the first time.

Announced this month by Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette, alongside Daniel Blanc, Director General of INCYBER Forum Canada, the event’s arrival in Ottawa–Gatineau reinforces the region’s impact as a global defence innovation hub.

This year’s event is forecasted to attract over 3,000 visitors, 150 exhibitors, 200 speakers, and generate an estimated $5.4 million in economic impact for the Ottawa region.

  • Read the official announcement from INCYBER Forum Canada here.

From Europe to Canada’s Capital Region

INCYBER Forum originated in Europe, where it has grown over more than a decade into a leading international platform for cybersecurity and digital trust.

Following successful Canadian editions since 2022, previously hosted in Montreal, the decision to bring the 2026 forum to Ottawa–Gatineau reflects both the event’s continued growth and the capital region’s increasing role as a trusted convenor for international dialogue at the intersection of cybersecurity, defence, innovation, and public policy.

The event is expected to welcome delegates from Canada, North America, and abroad, bringing together cybersecurity leaders, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and international partners to examine emerging threats, digital trust, and the technologies shaping global cyber resilience.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette and INCYBER Director General Daniel Blanc gather at an event podium for a joint announcement. Photo Source: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-sutcliffe/

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette join INCYBER Director General Daniel Blanc in announcing the location of INCYBER Forum Canada 2026. Photo Source

Ottawa–Gatineau – at the centre of Canada’s defence, security, and cyber ecosystem

The national capital region brings together federal departments and agencies, defence and intelligence organizations, post-secondary institutions, and a dense network of companies developing solutions across cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, communications, and critical infrastructure protection.

The region is home to four NATO DIANA test centres and the country’s deepest network of defence, security, aerospace, cyber and dual-use technology companies – 330 in defence and aerospace alone; 1,800 tech firms overall; and 96,000 tech workers with the highest talent concentration in North America six years running.

Hosting INCYBER Forum Canada in the capital region provides a global platform to showcase Canadian capabilities and connect international partners directly with Canada’s defence and cyber innovation ecosystem.

The announcement also comes as the capital region awaits the federal decision regarding the proposed Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), further strengthening Ottawa–Gatineau’s role at the centre of Canada’s evolving defence and security landscape.

  • For more information on Ottawa’s innovation and defence ecosystem, visit dihub.ca.
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