Cyber AI Hackathon 2026

Cyber AI Hackathon 2026 challenges innovators to build practical AI solutions for real-world cybersecurity problems, with online finals on 31 October–1 November. Organised by the University of Derby in Derby, this two-round hackathon invites teams to turn promising ideas into intelligent prototypes that strengthen digital security and respond to emerging threats. Participation is free, and the event is technically supported by The American Society for Engineers. ## Cybersecurity challenges Teams can choose from ten problem areas spanning AI, autonomous systems and digital trust: - AI-powered threat detection for malware, ransomware, phishing and anomalous behaviour - Agentic AI for cyber defence, including autonomous monitoring, evidence-based reasoning and defensive action with human oversight - Security for IoT, edge devices, smart homes and connected systems - Protection for drones, autonomous vehicles and robotics against spoofing, hijacking and GPS attacks - Privacy-preserving AI, digital identity, authentication and trustworthy data sharing - Security for cloud platforms, enterprise networks and critical infrastructure - Detection of deepfakes, misinformation, scams and social-engineering campaigns - Defence against adversarial attacks, model manipulation and data poisoning - AI-assisted digital forensics and cyber incident response - An open innovation track covering emerging CyberAI applications involving robotics, blockchain, digital twins and privacy technologies ## Format and key dates The first round requires an idea or presentation deck submission by 18 October 2026. Selected teams then present online during Round II, running from 31 October to 1 November 2026. This structure suits participants who want to explore a new concept as well as teams ready to demonstrate a more developed prototype. Entrants should consult the official hackathon guidelines and rules before submitting.… Register for this event