Focus on Digital Sovereignty and Cyber Defense

On May 7, 2026, the Cluster Mobility & Logistics’ transformation network, transform.r, hosted the Cybersecurity Congress at TechBase Regensburg. The event focused on current challenges related to information security, digital sovereignty, AI-based attacks, industrial cybersecurity, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The event was aimed at companies, government agencies, research institutions, and startups from the Regensburg economic region.

The congress offered the approximately 180 registered participants a regional platform for knowledge transfer, professional exchange, and strategic networking. Especially against the backdrop of increasing digital dependencies and growing cyber threats, it became clear that cybersecurity cannot be understood solely as a technical issue. Rather, it affects corporate strategy, competitiveness, resilience, and the ability to shape digital transformation securely and confidently.

Prof. Dr. Georg Stephan Barfuß, Head of the Department of Economy, Science, and Finance for the City of Regensburg, emphasized in his opening remarks: “We must take responsibility and grow up in order to move beyond the role of observers and spectators. For the City of Regensburg, this means, in concrete terms, that by the end of the year there will be a new security technology cluster managed by the cluster team at TechBase Regensburg GmbH.”

Following the welcome address by Alexander Rupprecht, Managing Director of TechBase Regensburg GmbH, Prof. Dr. Stephan Bierling from the University of Regensburg provided a key impetus with his keynote speech “Punching Bag or Third Force? Europe’s Digital Sovereignty Between the U.S. and China.” He placed the digital world within a geopolitical context and highlighted how closely technological development, economic power, and political agency are intertwined.

This was followed by an interdisciplinary panel discussion that delved deeper into the topic of “digital sovereignty.” Moderated by Uwe Pfeil, Head of the TechBase Regensburg GmbH cluster, representatives from city administration, academia, and industry discussed strategic challenges and options for action. Participants included Prof. Dr. Georg Stephan Barfuß, Prof. Dr. Stephan Bierling, Bernd Hagmanns from KRONES AG, Prof. Dr. Maria Leitner from the University of Regensburg, and Prof. Dr. Christoph Skornia from the East Bavarian Technical University of Regensburg.

In the afternoon, two parallel expert forums offered practical insights into key areas of cybersecurity. The “Secure Data Rooms” forum focused on identity and access management as well as data sovereignty as the foundation for corporate security and future viability. The second forum, “Generative AI & Cybersecurity,” addressed topics including quantum key distribution, CRA compliance requirements, and automated product safety in mechanical engineering.

Accompanying the lecture program, a trade exhibition took place in the TechBase foyer. There, regional and national stakeholders presented their offerings and solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, IT security, and digital transformation. Exhibitors included AirITSystems GmbH, the DLR Project Management Agency / NKCS, the Chamber of Crafts of Lower Bavaria-Upper Palatinate, H.G.L. GmbH, ibi research at the University of Regensburg GmbH, Nexis GmbH, OTH Regensburg / EDIH DInO, Patronus Protect, and SpaceNet AG.

The Cybersecurity Congress made it clear that secure digital infrastructures are an essential prerequisite for the transformation of the economy and industry. For companies in the region, the event provided concrete guidance on how to contextualize current developments, better understand risks, and find suitable cooperation partners. At the same time, the congress demonstrated how important collaboration between business, academia, government, and technology providers is for helping to shape digital sovereignty at the regional level.

The event is part of the German federal government’s transformation networks. The Regensburg-based project transform.r supports companies in navigating structural change in the automotive industry.

Press Contact:

Maria Hirschberger
TechBase Regensburg GmbH, Marketing Cluster Mobility & Logistics
Franz-Mayer-Str. 1, 93053 Regensburg
+49 941 604889 26, maria.hirschbergertechbase.de
www.transform-r.de, www.mobilitylogistics.de