KuppingerCole Analysts’ cyberevolution 2024 Conference Connects 500 International Cybersecurity Experts in Frankfurt

The cyberevolution 2024 conference, hosted by KuppingerCole Analysts at the Frankfurt Kap Europa brought together 500 attendees including global leaders, innovators, and experts to shape the future of cybersecurity.

Day 1: Setting the Stage for TransformationThe first day of cyberevolution 2024 began with a welcome keynote address by KuppingerCole Analysts CEO Berthold Kerl, who highlighted the critical challenges and opportunities shaping today’s cybersecurity landscape. Participants explored subjects like how CISOs can navigate uncertainty, the importance of security at the board level, and the effects of geopolitical factors, labor market shifts, and emerging technologies in cybersecurity. Engaging workshops were also part of the day, encouraging hands-on learning, including a session on Hacker Techniques led by Joseph Carson and a tabletop exercise by KuppingerCole Analysts Senior Analyst Mike Small, ArmorText CEO Navroop Mitter, and Crowell attorney Edward Taelman aimed at uncovering communication gaps affecting NIS2 and DORA compliance. Reflecting on the conference’s opening day, Berthold Kerl, CEO of KuppingerCole Analysts, shared his vision for the industry: “In cybersecurity, we should bridge the gap between the past and the future. By learning from yesterday’s challenges, we equip ourselves to innovate and adapt to the threats and opportunities of tomorrow.” The day concluded with a memorable evening program featuring a lively Hessian Night and a pub quiz, where attendees connected over friendly competition and celebrated the region’s rich culture. The relaxed atmosphere set the tone for deeper conversations and new connections, highlighting the collaborative spirit of cyberevolution 2024.

Day 2: Challenges, Threats, and the Road Ahead

The second day of cyberevolution 2024 continued to deliver valuable insights and forward-thinking discussions, focusing on the pressing challenges and evolving threats in cybersecurity.

The day kicked off with the session “Hacking Uber, Okta, and Las Vegas Casinos: What Gen Z Hacking Groups like Lapsus$ and Scattered Spider Teach Us About the State of Cybersecurity" byDr. Michael Gschwender and Max Muth. This eye-opening presentation revealed the tactics and motivations of emerging Gen Z hacking groups, emphasizing how defenders can strengthen their cybersecurity posture to counteract these innovative adversaries. Attendees left the session with a deeper understanding of how unconventional threats require adaptive strategies.

After which, the session “Hack Smarter, Not Harder: AI Workflow for Red Teaming” by Rambo Anderson-You and Caleb Crable provided a balanced perspective on integrating artificial intelligence into offensive security strategies. The session explored how local AI solutions can serve as viable alternatives to mainstream options, with demonstrations highlighting their practical applications. The talk examined AI’s current capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations for its use in red teaming operations. Attendees left with actionable insights into leveraging AI responsibly and effectively in their security toolkits.

Later in the day, the session “Cyber Threat Intelligence: Misconceptions to Avoid” by Patrick Shirazi shed light on why many large organizations feel dissatisfied with the outcomes of their CTI investments. Attendees learned how common misunderstandings about CTI adoption often lead to inefficiencies and undermine results. By addressing these misconceptions, the talk offered practical strategies for optimizing CTI tools and approaches, empowering organizations to transform raw data into actionable intelligence.

In the afternoon, “The New EU Cybersecurity Regulations: Scope, Content, and Practical Implementation” by Stefan Hessel offered a comprehensive overview of evolving regulatory requirements. The discussion covered the NIS 2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act, focusing on their application, the obligations and liability risks for organizations, and strategies for supply chain implementation. Presented from a legal perspective, the session provided attendees with an understanding of compliance best practices and the current legislative landscape, equipping them to navigate these regulations confidently.

The energy among attendees remained high, with discussions flowing from the sessions into informal networking spaces in the evening Networking Reception.

Day 3: Strengthening Resilience and Mastering the Basics

The final day of cyberevolution 2024 brought together thought leaders and practitioners to address foundational strategies and emerging challenges in cybersecurity. As attendees reflected on three days of insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing, the focus shifted to resilience, best practices, and the future of secure technology.

Highlights of the day included:

• “Zero Trust - Redefining Security Architecture in the Age of Advanced Threats” by Martin Schöpper, emphasizing the importance of a zero-trust approach to tackle advanced cyber threats.
• “In der digitalin Arena: Digitalisierung bei Bayern München - aber sicher” by Andreas Sprenger, offering a unique perspective on securely managing digital transformation in sports organizations.
• Panel on Smart Sourcing and Securing Supply Chains featuring Aus Alzubaidi, Sergej Epp, Tobias Staehle, and Christopher Schütze which tackled the critical issue of supply chain resilience in an interconnected world.
• Panel on Security Challenges in IoT and OT featuring Frank Fischer, Sarb Sembhi, and John Tolbert exploring strategies for protecting operational technology and Internet of Things environments against evolving threats.

As the conference came to a close, attendees left inspired and equipped with actionable strategies to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. From redefining security architectures and exploring the impact of AI on offensive and defensive strategies to enhancing supply chain resilience and addressing IoT and OT challenges, the discussions underscored the industry’s dedication to innovation and collaboration in an AI-powered world.

cyberevolution 2024 concluded on a high note, leaving participants with valuable connections, practical takeaways, and a renewed commitment to leveraging AI responsibly while securing the digital future.

About KuppingerCole Analysts:

KuppingerCole Analysts is a leading analyst company providing impartial advice, expertise, thought leadership, and practical relevance in information security, identity & access management, governance, risk management, and compliance. cyberevolution is an annual conference dedicated to exploring the latest trends and innovations in cybersecurity, fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration in an AI-driven digital world.