35 years! Anniversaries-MEET-SWISS-INFOSEC! Swiss Infosec in flames

26.09.2024 – 06:00

Swissinfotec AG

Swiss Infosec AG has been on fire for the topic of security for 35 years. Reason enough to put this fire at the center of the special edition of MEET SWISS INFOSEC!, which will take place on September 23, 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Zurich Airport. An inspiring program quickly spreads the spark to the more than 300 guests. It scored with a perfect mix of entertainment, background information and specialist presentations on top topics.

Reto Zbinden laid the foundation stone for Swiss Infosec in 1989. In recent years, the company based in Sursee (LU) has developed into the leader in integrated security in Switzerland. This has been helped by the unique combination of the security areas of technology, law, organization and people, which Swiss Infosec AG offers from a single source.

35 years as an entrepreneur and consultant

In a conversation with presenter Nicole Frank, Reto Zbinden looked back to 1989 and his mood when he was 24 years old and started a company. “Flexibility, courage, conviction and determination,” said Reto Zbinden, “are the prerequisites that young entrepreneurs should have then as they are now.” The focus was also on the importance of a motivated and committed team, which is essential for further development. This team produced a short film in his honor. It shows Zbinden the person who breathed life into an idea, remains approachable and, even after 35 years, still says: “Totally ready for everything that is to come.”

The wild boys

There are many reminders of the beginnings of Swiss Infosec and the qualities of its founder when video and content creator Peter Bolliger talks about his path to self-employment. Enthusiasm and the motto “Life is too short for later” are the guiding principles of the successful influencer with over 45,000 followers on Instagram. His refreshing, carefree appearance has not only earned the young entrepreneur a lot of sympathy, but has also shown that the challenges and prerequisites for getting off to a successful start have hardly changed. Not even for generations Y and Z.

From the Stone Age to the Internet and cyber attacks

What do the flood of information that comes with digitization and the endless possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) do to people and their brains? Neuroscientist Prof. Dr. Lutz Jäncke from the University of Zurich got to the bottom of these questions in his presentation and said: “Even though digitization and AI have undeniable advantages and opportunities and are a blessing in many areas, the human brain has not evolved for this new world.” Because in the entire history of mankind, no technological development has spread in such a short time and changed everything so profoundly.

Felix Guggenheim (Arctic Wolf) and Lukas Mäder (NZZ Technology Editor) deal with changes of a completely different kind. Their fascinating explanations of the anatomy of a cyber attack and the multi-million dollar business of hackers make it clear how important it is not to underestimate the danger of cyber attacks such as ransomware and to focus on prevention. Such attacks cannot be eradicated, but their effects can at least be greatly reduced.

AI can be used for comprehensive data security, as Roger Halbheer (Microsoft (Switzerland) AG) demonstrated in his presentation. Data-based security, i.e. the better, automated use of security-specific data thanks to AI, can be an important step towards more effective security.

Never again stupid or forever dumb

The program item raised expectations. And Anitra Eggler, digital therapist, fulfilled them with ease. In an inimitable way, the woman who says of herself that she “loves and lives digital innovation without side effects” (quote website) revealed what she means by that and how to learn to keep yourself digitally fit without sore muscles. This digital fitness is a must in order to stand up to the negative effects of digitization and AI and not run the risk of actually remaining stupid forever. This possibility is actually quite real. Besides men know digital detox pioneer Anitra Eggler, who helps people and companies find a screen-life balance.

On fire until the end and beyond

The fact that Swiss Infosec AG is (and will remain) on fire was a common theme throughout the event. The Swiss Infosec AG team put a fitting end to the event with a cinematic performance in honor of Reto Zbinden, which also marked the start of a convivial get-together.

The next MEET SWISS INFOSEC! is scheduled for January 20, 2025. No cake, but definitely with exciting content from the world of security.

Swiss Infosec AG, based in Sursee, is one of Switzerland’s leading independent consulting and training companies in the areas of information security, data protection and IT security. The company was founded in 1989 and, together with its sister company Swiss GRC AG, employs over 100 people who have supported over 3,000 projects in the area of ​​integrated security for small and large customers from all sectors. www.infosec.ch

Swiss Infosec AG
Miro Schenker
CSO
Centralstrasse 8A
6210 Sursee, Schweiz
 
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