Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 4 hrs ago
SecTor 2026 draws more than 6,500 attendees to Toronto
SecTor 2026 brought more than 6,500 attendees to Toronto for Canada’s largest cybersecurity conference.
The event included briefings, summits and demonstrations on current security challenges.
Speakers highlighted threats to journalists, activists and human rights defenders, saying that only 4% of threat intelligence reports focused on civil society.
The conference also examined how AI agents could make decisions inside business systems and the need for clear human authority over those decisions.
A live demonstration showed defenders detecting AI agent activity minutes before critical actions occurred.
These discussions matter because AI may change how attacks unfold and how organizations respond.
Spotlight Security won the startup competition and will represent SecTor at a global competition during Black Hat USA 2027.
SecTor 2026 brought more than 6,500 verified attendees to Toronto, according to the event announcement.
The conference took place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and featured 40 briefings selected by the SecTor Review Board.
Its program also included a full day of summits, more than 50 Sponsored Insights and 36 Arsenal tool demonstrations.
Sessions addressed cybersecurity threats and trends, including AI’s role in enterprise security and threats to civil society.
Spotlight Security won the conference’s Startup Spotlight Competition.
- Who
- SecTor brought together more than 6,500 verified attendees.
- What
- The cybersecurity conference featured briefings, summits, sponsored sessions and tool demonstrations.
- When
- It closed the week before the Oct. 14, 2026, announcement, which described it as having taken place “last week.
- Where
- The Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Canada.
- Why
- The conference brought people together to share insights on pressing cybersecurity threats and emerging trends.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SecTor 2026 closed in Toronto after bringing together more than 6,500 verified attendees.
The event announcement described the conference and its program highlights.
- Attendance
- Over 6,500 verified attendees
- Venue
- Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto
- Briefings
- 40 selected by the SecTor Review Board
- Sponsored Insights
- Over 50
- Arsenal demonstrations
- 36
- Startup Spotlight winner
- Spotlight Security
What people are saying
The 22% growth we saw at SecTor this year reflects just how quickly the cybersecurity conversation in Canada is evolving
The companies that produce these threat intelligence reports . . . are giving what I would argue is a very distorted picture of the threat environment
Capability is not authority, and you cannot have your model define the risks for your organization.