MWC26 Barcelona Security Summit: Catch up

Our half-day Security Summit was a standout session at MWC26 Barcelona, bringing together over 460 attendees to explore the most pressing challenges in telecoms security. We examined cybersecurity’s critical role in maintaining a resilient and trusted mobile ecosystem, addressing both current threats and the evolving risk landscape facing the industry.

Throughout the programme, industry leaders and security experts shared strategic insights into emerging risks, predictive trends, and practical responses for CISOs. Sessions highlighted the growing importance of threat intelligence and secure information sharing, including the role of T-ISAC, while showcasing how GSMA Working Groups are shaping global security standards and solutions.

Attendees left with actionable insights, stronger industry connections, and a clearer understanding of how to navigate and mitigate security challenges across the mobile ecosystem.

Watch the session video recordings on demand to stay up to date on the latest mobile security trends.

Session 1: Cybersecurity in an Uncertain World

The cybersecurity landscape was shown to be increasingly complex, with traditional threats amplified by geopolitical conflict, both between longstanding adversaries and through broader shifts shaping a more confrontational global order.

The opening session of the 2026 GSMA Security Summit explored the challenges of securing global telecommunications networks and services against an evolving and uncertain threat landscape. The discussion began with perspectives from a leading global operator and vendor, before concluding with insights into the challenges from an international law enforcement and economic risk and impact standpoint.

Session Speakers

• Nagendra Bykampadi, Rakuten, VP Security Research and Standards
• Dan Beaman, Palo Alto Networks, Global Director of 5G, IoT, and MEC

Panel Session

• Darrin Jones, Interpol, Executive Director, Partnerships and Planning
• Akshay Joshi, World Economic Forum, Head of the Centre for Cybersecurity
• Anton Reynaldo Bonifacio, Globe Telecom, Chief AI Officer & Chief Information Security Officer
• Moderator: Samantha Kight, GSMA, Head of Industry Security

Session 2: Intelligence in Action: Predict, Prevent, Protect

This session explored how intelligence-led security is shaping the global mobile ecosystem by linking strategic foresight with near real-time defence.

It examined how operators, practitioners and industry stakeholders embed security intelligence into daily operations to strengthen collective protection, highlighting the role of analytics, processes, automation, AI and established frameworks in generating actionable insights.

Through expert perspectives and real-world examples, the session demonstrated how prediction, prevention and protection methodologies are applied in practice, showcasing how these approaches safeguard mobile infrastructure and enhance overall ecosystem resilience.

Session Speakers

• Hugues Foulon, Orange, Executive Director Orange Group & CEO Orange Cyberdefense
• Geri Revay, Fortinet, Principal FortiGuard Labs Consultant, EMEA

Panel Session

• Anna Kåhre, Ericsson, Product Security Director
• Mitchell Rappard, Palo Alto Networks, Director, 5G Technical Solutions
• Geri Revay, Fortinet, Principal FortiGuard Labs Consultant, EMEA
• Terje Jensen, Telenor, Senior Vice President
• Moderator: Adrian Gorham, GSMA, Director, Global Anti-Fraud and Scam Prevention

Session 3: Securing the Mobile Ecosystem: Innovations and Initiatives

This session explored the evolving and increasingly complex security landscape, shaped by emerging threats, challenges and opportunities.

It examined key industry and regulatory initiatives addressing these issues, beginning with the work of the GSMA Fraud and Security Group (FASG) and its role in convening members to advance security best practice across the mobile ecosystem.

The session also included a vendor perspective on real-world implementation, before concluding with a discussion on how international government alignment and collaboration can support a more unified approach to strengthening telecommunications security.

Session Speakers

• Eugene Liderman, Google, Senior Director of Product for Android Security & Privacy 
• Yargin Xiao, Huawei, Vice President, Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection

Panel Session:

• Brooke Donilon, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
• Chris Padfield, Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Takuo Imagawa, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
• Etienne Chaponniere, Qualcomm
• Gabriela Styf Sjöman, BT Group
• Moderator: Kevin Adams, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology