SMIDEX Suisse Exposyum 2021 celebrated premiere
A security fair in uncertain times: Zurich's new security event with great expertise took place on November 17 and 18, 2021 in Hall 550 in Zurich-Oerlikon.
Managing information security is successful when responsible persons inform themselves and exchange ideas. SMIDEX Suisse 2021 offered this opportunity to its participants on November 17 and 18, 2021. Around 41 % of Swiss SMEs have already been victims of cyber attacks. Even if the data of smaller businesses is less interesting to cybercriminals, these companies remain attractive targets for them for two reasons: First, to extort ransomware using ransomware, and second, to use them as a gateway for attacks on larger companies that work with these SMEs. With this in mind, the SMIDEX Suisse Exposyum was launched, a live platform for physical security systems and cyber security.
Making life difficult for the hackers
The launch of the new platform for security has been a success. The opening by Rainer Maria Salzgeber (moderator), Nicolas Bürer (digitalswitzerland) and Nathalie Gratzer (project manager for the implementation of the National Strategy for the Protection of Switzerland against Cyber Risks (NCS) at the Federal Office for National Economic Supply), was well received. Nicolas Bürer spoke in his keynote about the opportunities and risks of digitalization. He also addressed the fear that digital transformation would destroy many jobs. But he was convinced: "There will be more jobs because of digitalization. Nathalie Gratzer, in turn, painted a realistic picture of the dangers that threaten us from cyberspace: "They are there, even if you don't see them." But with the right precautions, we still have a chance of making life more and more difficult for the hackers.
Field reports and best practice in IT security
In more than 30 presentations, participants were informed about the current state of cybersecurity not only by CISOs and CIOs, but also by C-level officers of SMEs. Using a recent survey, for example, Candid Wüest (VP Cyber Protection Research at Acronis) showed where companies are currently struggling the most and how this relates to merging cyberattacks. And of course, ethical hackers played an important role in the conference. Sandro Nafzger (CEO & Partner of Bug Bounty Switzerland GmbH) gave an exciting talk explaining why collaboration is key to the success of any digital transformation. There were also talks on best practice: Christoph Monigadon from Berner Kantonalbank showed the way to achieve a real security culture in companies - instead of prohibitions and threats of consequences with trust and a functioning error culture. Or Lukas Ruf from Migros explained how Switzerland's largest retailer ensures business continuity in the event of a cyber incident.
SMIDEX Suisse Exposyum again in autumn 2022
In addition to the speakers, 24 exhibitors entered into dialog with the interested trade visitors and supported them in their safety precautions with great experience.
According to the organizer DeltaBlue AG, there was a lot of positive feedback from the exhibitors and the partners involved. The next version of SMIDEX SUISSE Exposyum is planned for autumn 2022 in the international association.
