October 1st, 2026 | Haaga-Helia UAS, Pasila Campus
A full-day cybersecurity event bringing together hackers, security professionals, technology companies, researchers, educators and the next generation of cybersecurity talent.
300 participants. One community. Practical cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, ethical hacking and open technology.
Free registration — limited capacity
Language of the event: English
Where cybersecurity, technology and talent meet
Happy Hacking Day is Haaga-Helia's annual cybersecurity event bringing together professionals, hackers, researchers, educators, future cybersecurity talent and technology companies for a full day of practical insights, emerging ideas and meaningful connections.
The 2026 edition explores digital sovereignty, ethical hacking, social engineering, vulnerability research, open-source technology and professional cybersecurity through the experiences of people working directly with these topics.
Whether you build secure systems, research vulnerabilities, develop technology, lead an IT organisation or are preparing to enter the field, Happy Hacking Day is a place to exchange ideas and connect with Finland's cybersecurity community.
HACKING · HUMAN BEHAVIOUR · DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY · VULNERABILITY RESEARCH · OPEN TECHNOLOGY
Meet our contributors
Meet the experts, practitioners and technology enthusiasts joining us for Happy Hacking Day 2026. Throughout the day, our speakers will explore hacking from practical, professional, societal and open-source perspectives.
Tero Karvinen - Teacher, author, PhD & Ville Karvinen - Aspiring hacker, kid
So easy a kid could do it?
A practical look at how to start learning hacking and build your skills step by step. Tero & Ville will explore useful tools, courses and learning environments, as well as the importance of networking with other hackers, publishing your work from day one and turning small achievements into continued progress. Presenters will provide a look at different stages of learning, a contrast between Tero (teacher, author, PhD) and Ville (aspiring hacker, kid).
Riku Juurikko - Senior Manager
Social Engineering 101
Social engineering attacks often rely on psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities. In this talk, Riku explores scientifically studied psychological methods used by criminals and professional influencers, how personal information can be combined with psychological triggers to create convincing attacks, and how to recognise when someone is attempting to manipulate or deceive you.
Lauri Lavanti - Lead developer
Digital Independence: From Where We Stand
Is digital independence just hype? This talk looks at where Finland and Europe actually stand: how deep our dependence on foreign technology runs, what it costs, and what has already happened when access was cut off. It then unpacks the mechanics behind the numbers — procurement, standards, and coordination — that quietly decide which technologies win. Finally, it maps what individuals, organisations, and the public sector are already doing about it, from browser choices to full migrations. Participants get a fact-based, politically neutral tour of the current landscape: key figures on Europe's cloud, software and AI-compute dependence; real cases where access to digital infrastructure was revoked; and why a server in Finland does not equal sovereignty. Takeaways include a supply-security lens for testing your own stack against concrete risk scenarios, and precedents — from Schleswig-Holstein to Airbus — showing what working alternatives look like in practice.
H-T8 Hacking Team - Cybersecurity Association & CTF Team - Ilja Ylikangas & Henry Isakoff
When teamwork makes the dream work
We will explore the key aspects of H-T8's success, the importance of CTF events, and why teamwork is an integral part in cybersecurity. My part will include some of the history behind why H-T8 was formed, the reason we shifted our focus to CTF competitions, the decisions in leadership that cultivate continuous motivation, and how we've been given the chance to travel around the world to attend events and meet like-minded people. Henry will present previous CTF challenges and guide the audience on how we as a team overcome challenges.
Aapo Oksman - Cybersecurity entrepreneur
How to Become a Professional Hacker
What does it take to turn curiosity about hacking into a real career? In this talk, Aapo Oksman shares how he went from playing around with a computer to cybersecurity consulting, bug bounty hunting, and vulnerability research. You’ll get a practical look at what “professional hacking” actually means and the different ways ethical hackers can build a career. Along the way, Aapo shares examples from real-world vulnerability research and bug bounty work, including findings affecting major technology platforms.
Janne Sirén - Finnish Amiga Users Group
On Commodore Callback
As concerns grow around excessive internet and social media use, technology communities and open platforms are fueling an unlikely resurgence and a different approach to mobile technology. This session discusses the events behind a Linux-based hybrid phone from historical home-computer giant Commodore and Finland-based Nokia veterans Jolla, designed to find a balance between the simplicity of a traditional mobile phone and the capabilities of a modern smartphone. The presentation will explore the thinking behind the product, its open-source foundations and an alternative vision for how we interact with connected technology.
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What to Expect
Ethical Hacking & Vulnerability Research
Learn from professionals working with real-world vulnerabilities, bug bounty programmes and cybersecurity consulting.
Social Engineering
Explore the psychology behind manipulation, influence and credible social-engineering attacks.
Digital Sovereignty
Discuss technological independence and what it means for organisations and society.
The Hacker Mindset
Explore how hackers learn, experiment, collaborate and approach complex problems.
Open Technology
Discover an open-source Linux-based hybrid phone in a special product presentation.
Cybersecurity Community
Meet hackers, technology professionals, companies, researchers, educators and emerging talent.
Agenda for 1.10.2026
| Time | Programme |
| 09:15–10:00 | Registration, Coffee & Networking |
| 10:00–10:15 | Opening & Welcome |
| 10:15–11:00 | Tero & Ville Karvinen — So easy a kid could do it? |
| 11:00–11:30 | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 11:30–12:30 | Riku Juurikko — Social Engineering 101 |
| 12:30–13:45 | Finnish Lunch & Networking |
| 13:45–14:30 | Lauri Lavanti — Digital Independence: From Where We Stand |
| 14:30–14:45 | Coffee Break & Networking |
| 14:45–15:30 | H-T8 Hacking Team — When teamwork makes the dream work |
| 15:30–16:15 | Aapo Oksman — How to Become a Professional Hacker |
| 16:15–16:30 | Short Break & Networking |
| 16:30–17:15 | Janne Sirén - On Commodore Callback |
| 17:15–18:00 | Closing Networking & Social |
Join us at Happy Hacking Day 2026
Thursday, 1 October 2026
Haaga-Helia Pasila Campus, Helsinki
Free admission. Limited capacity.
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Who You'll Meet
Cybersecurity Professionals
Ethical hackers, penetration testers, security consultants, SOC professionals, security engineers and cybersecurity leaders.
Technology Companies & SMEs
Organisations working in cybersecurity, software, cloud, AI, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Researchers & Technology Experts
People exploring cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, AI and the future of digital infrastructure.
Educators & Academic Partners
Professionals developing the cybersecurity and technology capabilities that organisations will need next.
Future Cybersecurity Talent
Highly motivated ICT, cybersecurity, software and AI students looking to learn from and connect with the professional community.
More Than Presentations
Happy Hacking Day is designed around conversation as much as content.
Throughout the day, extended coffee breaks, a Finnish lunch, and the closing social create opportunities to meet cybersecurity professionals, technology companies, researchers, educators and emerging talent.
Come for the talks. Stay for the conversations.
Practical Information
Date: Thursday, 1 October 2026
Registration & Coffee: 09:15
Opening: 10:00
Programme Ends: 18:00
Venue:
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
Pasila Campus
Main Auditorium & Event Square
Helsinki
Train, Tram and Buses / Public Transport → Pasila station next door
Car / Parking → Tripla or Messukeskus (Please use public transport if possible)
Accessible Arrival → Main entrance drop-off
Venue → Ratapihantie 13, Helsinki
300 participants | 6 expert sessions | 1 full day | Helsinki
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Photography at Happy Hacking Day
We will have an official Happy Hacking Day photographer with us throughout the day, capturing photos during the presentations, networking sessions and general event activities. These photos may be used in Haaga-Helia and Happy Hacking Day communications and to document the event.
If you prefer not to be photographed, please let our photographer know when you see her at the event. She will be happy to respect your preference.
Building Finland's Cybersecurity Community
Happy Hacking Day is more than a day of presentations. Our ambition is to create a recurring meeting point where cybersecurity professionals, hackers, technology companies, researchers, educators and emerging talent can exchange ideas, build relationships and strengthen Finland's cybersecurity ecosystem.
Download the Happy Hacking Day 2026 Programme (PDF)
