Key Takeaways
- CSIDES is the UK’s first cyber‑security event created by and for a coastal community, aiming to empower individuals, businesses, and educators.
- The second annual CSIDES will take place on 9 October 2026 at The Grand Pier in Weston‑super‑Mare, sponsored by Tines, 4FOX Security, Consultants Like Us, Punk Security, PPRO and IASME.
- Weston‑super‑Mare faces historic underinvestment in tech opportunities, prompting talent to leave for larger cities; CSIDES seeks to reverse that trend locally.
- The Grand Pier’s iconic seaside setting provides a fun, relaxed atmosphere where serious cyber topics can be enjoyed alongside rides and sea views.
- This year’s programme features a TV‑celebrity speaker, a scam‑caller workshop, “The Big Fat Quiz of the Pier,” five rooms of talks and interactive activities, and premium swag.
- Organisers Hazel McPherson and Jess Matthews highlight the value of mixing novices with experts, fostering inclusive learning and community resilience.
- Both organisers share fond seaside memories, underscoring how the coastal environment encourages reflection, relaxation, and a sense of shared responsibility for cyber safety.
Overview of CSIDES
CSIDES stands for the Coastal Security and Innovation Day Event Series, a one‑day gathering designed to equip‑and‑educate initiative. It targets individuals who are new to cyber concepts, small‑business owners seeking practical defences, and educators looking to bring security awareness into classrooms. By delivering accessible talks, hands‑on workshops, and engaging activities, CSIDES demystifies complex topics such as phishing, ransomware, and secure coding. The event’s core mission is to translate high‑level cyber expertise into actionable steps that anyone can apply at home or work, thereby strengthening the overall security posture of the community.
Origins and Sponsors
Launched in summer 2025 on The Grand Pier, the inaugural CSIDES proved so successful that organisers decided to make it an annual fixture. For the 2026 edition, the event benefits from the backing of several prominent sponsors: Tines, known for its automation platform; 4FOX Security, a consultancy specialising in threat intelligence; Consultants Like Us, which provides tailored security advice; Punk Security, recognised for its offensive‑security expertise; PPRO, a payments‑security firm; and IASME, the body behind the Cyber Essentials scheme. Their combined support ensures a diverse agenda, high‑quality production, and ample resources for attendees to take away valuable tools and contacts.
Why Weston‑super‑Mare?
Weston‑super‑Mare, a beloved seaside resort in Somerset, has long struggled with limited investment in technology and cyber‑security opportunities. Consequently, many skilled residents gravitate toward larger hubs such as Bristol, Exeter, or London, draining the town of potential talent and innovation. CSIDES was conceived to break this cycle by demonstrating that a rewarding cyber career can flourish locally. By bringing industry leaders to the coast, the event showcases career pathways, encourages businesses to invest in home‑grown expertise, and helps retain talent that might otherwise leave for urban centres.
The Grand Pier as Venue
The Grand Pier, an iconic landmark stretching into the Bristol Channel, offers more than just a picturesque backdrop; it provides a unique blend of leisure and learning. Attendees can stroll past classic fairground rides, enjoy the salty breeze, and then step into seminar rooms where cutting‑edge cyber discussions unfold. This juxtaposition of fun and focus creates a relaxed atmosphere that lowers barriers to participation, making complex subjects feel approachable. The pier’s accessibility—located centrally in town with ample parking and public transport links—further enhances its suitability as a community‑focused event venue.
Program Highlights
This year’s CSIDES agenda promises a mix of entertainment and substantive learning. A television celebrity will headline the main stage, sharing personal experiences with online safety and digital privacy. A dedicated workshop will equip participants with strategies to identify and thwart scam callers, a growing threat to both individuals and enterprises. For lighter fare, “The Big Fat Quiz of the Pier” will test attendees’ knowledge of cyber trivia while fostering camaraderie. The event will feature five distinct rooms, each hosting talks, live demonstrations, or interactive labs ranging from basic password hygiene to advanced threat‑hunting techniques. As in the inaugural year, organizers promise some of the best swag in the South West, including branded gadgets, educational materials, and exclusive discount codes for security tools.
Reflections from the Organisers
Hazel McPherson and Jess Matthews, both recipients of the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Award, recall the inaugural event’s most striking moment: witnessing absolute beginners converse confidently with seasoned security leaders during hands‑on workshops. This experience affirmed CSIDES’ core purpose—creating a space where expertise level does not dictate the value of contribution. They noted that participants left not only with new knowledge but also with a sense of belonging to a wider cyber community. The organisers emphasized that the event’s success hinges on this inclusivity, which nurtures mentorship opportunities and encourages ongoing local collaboration beyond the single day.
Importance of Outward‑Looking Cyber Security
Both Hazel and Jess stressed that cyber defence cannot remain an inward‑looking pursuit confined to industry professionals. They argued that protecting families, neighbourhoods, businesses, and nations is a shared responsibility that begins with grassroots education. By empowering residents with practical skills—such as recognizing phishing attempts, securing home networks, and responding to data breaches—CSIDES amplifies the collective resilience of the region. The organisers view each informed citizen as a force multiplier, reducing the attack surface for cyber criminals and fostering a culture where security is everyone’s job, not just a specialist’s remit.
Personal Seaside Reflections – Hazel
When asked about her favourite aspect of the seaside, Hazel described a timeless quality that grounds her amidst the fast‑paced cyber world. As a child, she cherished family holidays, donkey rides, sandcastle building, and paddling in the waves—simple joys that remain vivid today. Now, she finds solace in the rhythmic sound of waves, the sensation of sand between her toes, and the quiet hunt for unusual pebbles or tiny creatures in rock pools. These moments, she says, slow life down, reminding her to pause, breathe, and appreciate the present—a mindset she brings back to her cyber work, where patience and attention to detail are paramount.
Personal Seaside Reflections – Jess
Jess, a Weston‑super‑Mare native, highlighted crabbing with her brother as her cherished seaside memory. She recounted spending countless afternoons searching for limpets on rocks, using smoked bacon as bait—a trick she learned from her brother. The thrill of hauling a line heavy with crabs, then watching them scatter in chaotic joy as they were released, remains a vivid source of happiness. For Jess, these childhood adventures embody the spirit of exploration and community that CSIDES seeks to inspire: a playful curiosity that translates into vigilant, proactive cyber hygiene when applied to the digital realm.