AI-Driven Fraud Demonstrated
The Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress concludes its seventh edition on Thursday 5th November 2026 at Fira Gran Via in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, with artificial intelligence (AI) as the central theme. Organised by Fira de Barcelona and the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, the event runs alongside the Smart City Expo World Congress and draws over 10,000 visitors from more than 100 countries. The Catalan Cybersecurity Agency demonstrated how cybercriminals can use AI to carry out identity theft using only a video from social media. Under the slogan ‘Verify to believe’, officials showed how criminals can replicate a person’s image, face, and voice to create convincing business scams. These attacks are becoming increasingly personalised, rapid, and difficult to detect. Txell Collado, Head of Communication and Citizenship at the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency, urged the public to validate any urgent digital request through a separate communication channel. “Cybercriminals can take the video and impersonate the image, face, and voice. A business scam can be constructed,” she said.
Catalan Tech Showcases Sovereign Solutions
The congress connects companies seeking digital protection with cybersecurity specialists. SIRT, one of 20 Catalan firms exhibiting, is showcasing sovereign technologies developed with local intellectual property. David Garriga, the company’s general director, said these innovations represent key trends in regional cybersecurity development. Professionals from automotive company Ebro’s cybersecurity team stressed that all internet-connected devices, from cars to household appliances, require protection. Sergio, a cybersecurity analyst, said: “Everything is connected to the Internet… it needs protection, cybersecurity, and audits.” His colleague Natalia added that safeguarding associated data is equally critical, given the persistent risk of breaches. The event features 150 international experts and 111 exhibitors, including global firms like Cisco, Mastercard, Fortinet, and Telefónica. The congress programme focuses on three pillars: cybersecurity as a strategic business factor, AI’s impact on digital identity and trust, and resilience in cyber-physical systems and supply chains.
Under the motto ‘Connecting the European cybersecurity ecosystem’, BCC consolidates itself in 2026 as a major European commercial and educational platform to share knowledge, generate business opportunities, and promote alliances.
Further details about the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress are available on the Catalan Cybersecurity Agency's official page.
Primary sources: Agència de Ciberseguretat, govern.cat. Reported by lhdigital.cat, en.ara.cat, Redacció TheNBP, IoT Now, firabarcelona.com, thenewbarcelonapost.com, elperiodico.com, LHDigital (L'Hospitalet).
