As events in the Middle East and Ukraine dominate the global agenda and disrupt energy markets, this month’s OEUK Security and Resilience conference will once again bring together security specialists and industry leaders to discuss protecting a critical part of the UK’s national infrastructure: the North Sea and its energy system.
The event will be held at Union Kirk, Aberdeen, on Wednesday 22 April 2026, and will focus on strengthening collaboration between industry and government to improve security and resilience across offshore operations.
Energy security is national security and it is part of OEUK’s role to give offshore operators and supply chain companies an overview of the joint approach to emerging risks and the practical steps being taken to protect energy distribution installations from potential threats.
The conference will hear from leading defence specialists at the cutting edge of technological solutions, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance maritime security.
It will also deliver updates on evolving threats and share practical insight into the measures being deployed to improve preparedness and response.
A key outcome of last year’s inaugural conference was the evidence that better data sharing is crucial for the offshore energy industry to play a full role in maintaining national resilience.
Attendees from this year’s event will leave with a clear understanding of physical and cyber risks, plus examples of the latest protective innovations and good practices being adopted across the sector.
The conference will be preceded by a security response exercise taking place on Tuesday 21 April 2026, which will also offer industry security and resilience leaders an opportunity to learn, test assumptions and build relationships.
Former Army officer Mark Wilson, who is OEUK’s Energy Operations Director says:
'Events around the world show us energy and its infrastructure have become the strategic focus of international security. It’s time for the UK to step up and secure its homegrown energy assets. We are taking a lead in the development and sharing of intelligence to protect the homegrown energy the nation needs more than ever, not just in this period of volatility but for decades to come.'
Speakers will include:
David Whitehouse, CEO, Offshore Energies UK
Dan Marks, Research Fellow, Energy Security, RUSI
Jonathan Smith, Cyber Security Business Unit Director, Sword
Andrew Buxton, Chief Operating Officer, Dardan Security
Martin Smith, Managing Director, CyberPrism
Dane Clackworthy, Director UK&I, Waterfall Security Solutions
