Manchester, UK – 22 April 2026 – The Security Institute’s Insider Risk Conference 2026, held this week at The Edwardian Manchester, welcomed a full-capacity audience of professionals from across security, human resources, legal, and operational disciplines, highlighting the growing recognition that insider risk is a shared organisational challenge.
Building on the success of last year’s event, this year’s conference — themed “Collaborating to Reframe Insider Risk” — brought together leaders and practitioners to challenge traditional approaches and champion more integrated, people-centred strategies for managing risk.
The programme was shaped by the ongoing work of the Security Institute’s Insider Risk Special Interest Group (SIG), transforming collaboration, open discussion, and constructive challenge into practical insights for organisations. A central theme throughout the day was clear: insider risk must no longer be overlooked or marginalised but recognised as a core component of organisational resilience and effective security practice.
Opening the conference, CEO Sarah Austerberry CSyP FSyI emphasised that insider risk is no longer a niche or isolated issue, but one that intersects with organisational culture, leadership, and trust. She highlighted the importance of moving beyond siloed approaches, encouraging organisations to foster collaboration across departments to better identify and mitigate risk.
A defining feature of the event was its cross-functional audience. Alongside security professionals, the conference welcomed HR leaders, operational managers, and legal teams — reinforcing the message that effective insider risk management depends on breaking down traditional organisational silos.
The conference featured a distinguished line-up of speakers from government, law enforcement, and industry. Dr Sharon Holmes OBE expertly compèred the day, guiding delegates through a programme designed to challenge assumptions and encourage practical application.
A representative of National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) opened the sessions by outlining five key principles for a unified approach to insider risk, providing a strategic framework for organisations to build upon. Derek Pratt MSyI , Head of Customer Security at Royal Mail Group, offered valuable insights drawn from over 30 years of experience, sharing the realities of managing insider threats within a large and complex organisation.
A standout session led by Richard Mackintosh CSyP MSyI and Sarah Austerberry CSyP MSyI explored the concept of “rewinding” an insider incident — encouraging delegates to analyse events retrospectively to identify missed indicators, cultural factors, and systemic weaknesses. This interactive approach was further examined during a panel discussion featuring Richard Mackintosh, Sarah Austerberry, Jonathan F, Lorna Brough, and Derek Pratt, which generated lively discussion and shared learning across sectors.Additional contributions from Lorna Brough and Wayne Hassan brought further depth to the programme, offering perspectives shaped by careers in government, consultancy, and complex investigations, and reinforcing the importance of collaboration, trust, and intelligence-led approaches.
Throughout the day, sessions emphasised the importance of building high-trust organisational environments, moving away from fear-based models of security, and embedding insider risk management within wider business practices.
The Security Institute extended its thanks to event sponsors and exhibitors, including Blacksmiths, Royal Mail, Mitie, and Mercury Training, whose support was instrumental in delivering the conference.
Commenting on the success of the event, Sarah Austerberry CSyP MSyI said:
“Bringing together such a diverse group of professionals demonstrates how far the insider risk conversation has evolved. By working collaboratively across disciplines, we can better understand the human factors behind risk and build more resilient organisations for the future.”
The Insider Risk Conference forms part of The Security Institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing professional standards and supporting organisations in addressing emerging security challenges.
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