Former hacker Greg van der Gaast to speak at Cybersecurity Festival 2025

Learn from the man who hacked a nuclear facility at 16 years old

Hacker-turned-FBI-operative joins Computing’s Cybersecurity Festival as a keynote speaker.

The Cybersecurity Festival 2025 has announced an exciting new addition to its speaker lineup: Greg van der Gaast, a former hacker turned undercover FBI operative, who will deliver a keynote delving inside the mind of a blackhat hacker.

Taking place on 1^st May 2025 in London, the Cybersecurity Festival is an exclusive event for senior IT professionals from end user companies to learn best practices and how to utilise new technology to safeguard their data and systems.

Van der Gaast's keynote provides a rare and insightful look into the world of hackers. Drawing from his extensive 25-year career in infosec, his session explores the tactics, motivations and evolving methods used by cyber attackers.

Attendees will gain:

• A deeper understanding of how hackers exploit vulnerabilities.
• Insights into why organisations continue to be prime targets.
• Practical strategies to strengthen their cybersecurity defences.

After rising to infamy as a teenage hacker who broke into a nuclear weapons facility, Greg has worked as an undercover operative for the FBI and the US Department of Defense. His extensive experience in this field - from both sides of the fence - gives him unique insight into the cybersecurity world.

The Cybersecurity Festival 2025 is a free, must-attend event for senior IT professionals from end-user companies. Delegates will enjoy a tailored programme of keynotes, panels, presentations and networking sessions to provide them with everything they need to know about modern cybersecurity.

Registration is open now; secure your free place by clicking here.