Konferenza MITA 2026: Exploring the Future of Digital Government and Cybersecurity

Following the success of its inaugural edition, Konferenza MITA is set to return on 13th and 14th October 2026, bringing together international experts, policymakers, technology leaders and industry professionals for two days of discussion, knowledge-sharing and forward-looking insight into an increasingly complex digital world.

This year’s edition will explore two key themes.  The first day will focus on “Gvern Diġitali”, exploring the future of digital government, leadership, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The second day will mark the eighth edition of Cyber Root, MITA’s established cybersecurity conference, turning the spotlight towards the evolving threats, vulnerabilities and human challenges shaping the cyber landscape.

Together, the two-day programme will examine some of the most pressing questions arising from digital transformation: how can technology be harnessed responsibly, how can organisations prepare for emerging risks, and what kind of leadership is required in an age defined by artificial intelligence and unprecedented technological change?

As technology continues to reshape the way governments, businesses and society operate, Konferenza MITA 2026 will look beyond innovation itself to consider the opportunities it creates alongside the risks, responsibilities and ethical questions that inevitably follow.

The first day, Gvern Diġitali, will focus on the future of digital government, leadership, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The programme will open with welcome addresses by Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana and MITA CEO Ing. Emanuel Darmanin, setting the stage for a day focused on digital leadership, innovation and the technologies transforming public administration. 

Among the distinguished speakers is Nina Sawetz, Media and Crisis Adviser at Future PR, who will examine the critical role of CEOs during cyber incidents and the impact that leadership and communication can have on an organisation’s reputation during a crisis.

The programme will also feature Tamara Srzentic, Montenegro’s first Digital Minister, who will explore how governments can build more effective, adaptable and resilient institutions in an era of rapid technological change.

Artificial intelligence will take centre stage with Priya Lakhani OBE, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of CENTURY Tech, who will explore the current AI landscape and the skills needed to live, work and innovate alongside increasingly powerful AI technologies.

Another major area of discussion will be the rise of deepfakes and synthetic media. Henry Ajder, a globally recognised expert and adviser on generative AI, will explore how deepfakes are changing the cybersecurity and information landscape, and what organisations and society can do to respond to a world where seeing is no longer necessarily believing.

The second day will shift the focus towards cybersecurity with Cyber Root, now entering its eighth edition and continuing its role as a platform for examining the threats confronting organisations and individuals in an increasingly connected world. Award-winning cybersecurity keynote speaker Graham Cluley will examine the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and cyber risk, while Rebecca Taylor, Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager and Researcher at Sophos, will explore the growing role of access brokers in modern cybercrime.

The programme will also address one of the most challenging aspects of cybersecurity, the human factor. BBC reporter, presenter, podcaster and author Joe Tidy will explore the rising threat of teenage hacking groups, while social engineer Jenny Radcliffe will examine how culture, confidence and human behaviour can influence security.

Adding another important dimension to the conversation, Cecilie Fjellhøy, co-founder of LoveSaid and a leading voice in fraud prevention and financial safety, will explore the human mechanics behind modern fraud and how deception is increasingly designed to exploit human behaviour.

The conversation will extend beyond the realms of cybersecurity and technology, placing equal emphasis on the increasingly valuable role of human connection in a digital-first world. Alexandra Forsyth, founder, podcast host and public speaker, will explore the evolving relationship between technology, community and human interaction, and the importance of preserving meaningful connections as digital experiences become ever more embedded in our everyday lives.

Across the two days, keynote presentations, panel discussions, conversations and Q&A sessions will bring together a broad range of perspectives, encouraging participants to look beyond individual technologies and consider the wider implications of digital transformation.

The result promises to be a conference not simply about technology, but about leadership, trust, resilience, people and the choices that will shape the digital future.

The conference will culminate in the Cyber Awards 2026, celebrating achievements, innovation and contributions within Malta’s cybersecurity community.

The awards will recognise those individuals, entities and organisations whose vision, expertise and commitment are helping to strengthen Malta’s cyber resilience, while celebrating those making a tangible and lasting contribution to safeguarding the country’s increasingly complex digital landscape.  With artificial intelligence accelerating the pace of technological change and cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, the importance of collaboration, awareness and strong digital leadership has never been greater.

Konferenza MITA 2026 arrives at a time when the boundaries between technology, government, business and society are becoming increasingly interconnected. The decisions being made today will influence not only how organisations operate, but also how communities interact with technology and how effectively societies can respond to the opportunities and risks ahead.

For Malta’s technology and business community, the conference represents an opportunity to engage with leading international voices, challenge established thinking, exchange ideas and gain a broader perspective on the forces shaping the digital landscape.

As Malta continues to strengthen its position within the international digital and technology ecosystem, Konferenza MITA 2026 is poised to become an important platform for conversations that matter — helping to shape a digital future that is not only innovative, but also resilient, responsible, secure and distinctly human.

For more information, updates and further details, visit the https://mita.gov.mt/konferenza-mita/.  Stay connected with us by following our social media channels, where we will continue to share the latest news, highlights and developments. Join the conversation and keep up to date with everything happening around this year’s conference.