The number of cyber attacks in the business world is growing. Whether personal customer data, credit card details or sensitive data generated by the connected car – corporate data are always a lucrative target for potential cyber-criminals on the Internet. This is why IT security is top of the agenda at next year’s CeBIT.

Hannover. Phishing, botnet, hackers, malware … – cyber attacks take many different forms and pose an ever-growing threat. But businesses can protect themselves – and the special display “Business Security” at the next CeBIT, which runs from 14 to 18 March 2016, aims to show how. With two information forums and a line-up of firms specializing in anti-virus systems, e-mail security, cloud & Internet security and network security, the presentation in Hall 6 invites visitors to take a “security check”.

IoT puts IT security centre stage

One of the hottest themes for the digital industry at the moment is the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT makes new business processes possible, and offers fresh opportunities for business, science, government and society – but it also creates a need for additional levels of security. This is why the Internet of Things features prominently in the special section “Business Security” – both in the exhibition section and in the conference area.

A recent study by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) concludes that the intelligent connection of devices and machines via the Internet could generate up to eleven billion dollars in added economic value worldwide by the year 2025. And data security constitutes one of the biggest growth areas.

Security check for my business: two forums explain how

The CeBIT special section “Business Security” boasts two full-day forum events which address the issues that are currently commanding the industry’s attention.

The “Business Security Expert Forum”, organized in association with publisher secuMedia, is a valuable source of practical information about comprehensive IT security for businesses. In a series of 20-minute talks, guest speakers will address not only the latest developments in IoT, but also topics such as apps, encryption, networks, data protection, industrial IT security, patch management, BYOD, cloud, car forensics and firewalls.

At the “CeBIT Security Plaza”, co-hosted by Deutsche Messe and heise Events, various big-name exhibitors from the security industry will be presenting their products and services. Meanwhile experts from some of the biggest players in the industry will take the stage to talk about potentially catastrophic security loopholes, and how they can be plugged. Topics on the agenda include IT security in the SME sector, in online shopping, in the cloud, as a service provision and in online banking.

Prominent experts debate security issues at the CeBIT Global Conferences

Prominent members of the professional security community will also be speaking at the CeBIT Global Conferences in Hall 8. One of them is Christian Fredrikson, CEO of F-Secure. The Finnish company offers security solutions from the cloud and for the protection of privacy.

One of the world’s leading suppliers of anti-virus software is AVG Technologies. The CEO of the Dutch enterprise, Gary Kovacs, will present new strategies for combating malware and spyware at the CeBIT Global Conferences.

Another speaker is Peter Leppelt, managing director of the German start-up Qabel. The company has developed a software platform designed to encrypt digital communication – for added security in online banking, the smart home and e-mails.

The CeBIT Global Conferences also look at IT security from the perspective of the user. Under the tagline “Transparency as the raw material for digital change”, the “Open Stage” is hosting a series of presentations on the impact of technology on work and leisure in the digital age. The topics under discussion include digital patient records, the smart home and the connected car.