Under the motto “Facts, not fakes – how do we protect ourselves from cybercrime, disinformation, and hybrid threats?”, the event offered insights into key future topics in civil security. An exclusive excursion to the headquarters of the Federal Intelligence Service in the morning provided rare perspectives on the work of an organization that otherwise operates behind the scenes. In the afternoon, participants were able to get involved themselves in two workshops: by reenacting realistic attack scenarios or coordinating the defense against a simulated cyberattack.

Innovative exhibits from several Fraunhofer Institutes at the Fraunhofer Forum showcased practical solutions for detecting and overcoming modern threats. The cybersecurity learning kit presented by M.Sc. Philip Kleen, safety engineer at the Fraunhofer Institute in Lemgo, attracted particular interest. The compact demonstration system replicates a small industrial process including fieldbus devices and control systems, providing a vivid experience of cyberattacks and how to defend against them.

“Industrial plants and their components are becoming increasingly networked – and this creates new points of attack. With the cybersecurity learning kit, we show how complex interrelationships can be communicated in an understandable and practical way. This enables companies to identify security risks at an early stage and strengthen their expertise in a targeted manner,” explains Philip Kleen. The learning kit was developed by Fraunhofer's learning labs for cybersecurity in production.

The event concluded with Summit Night, where experts from research, business, and government analyzed hybrid threats, cybercrime, and disinformation and discussed the steps needed to build a more resilient society.

Companies that are looking to increase the connectivity of their processes can undergo a cybersecurity check by the Fraunhofer Institute in Lemgo. This allows security gaps to be identified at an early stage—before they become real risks.