The 28th RSA Conference, one of the world’s leading events for cyber security, is taking place in San Francisco from 4 to 8 March. In the German Pavilion, organized by the German Federal Association for IT Security, TeleTrusT, eco – Association of the Internet Industry is also presenting IT security made in Germany. We spoke to Norbert Pohlmann, Professor of Computing Science, Director of the Institute for Internet Security at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, and member of the eco Board, about his expectations of one of the most important industry events.
What are your expectations of the RSA Conference? And why would you recommend IT security experts visit it?
Twelve to fifteen thousand IT security experts meet up at the RSA Conference in San Francisco each year. This includes directors of many large US corporations, Chief Technology Officers (CTO), and other important influencers in the industry, who are there to present their strategies for the coming year. That is always very informative, and certainly the most interesting part of the conference. As well as this, there are plenty of discussions of important IT security topics, and new initiatives, products, and solutions are announced. When the most important IT security experts – including many from Germany – come together in San Francisco, it offers an ideal platform for intensive networking.
What will the focus topics be this year?
We are going to learn a lot about how the big players in the industry are approaching the topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber security in practice, and how they envisage the data generated being used. Further topics will be the European General Data Protection Regulation, and effective strategies for mastering the biggest cyber security problems. The special thing this year is that it is the “Germany Year” in the United States, in which the interchange with the Americans will be particularly intensive, and many representatives of the German federal ministries are also expected.
You will be moderating two discussion rounds. What can the participants and the visitors expect from your sessions?
For one thing, I am moderating the “German American Security Forum,” which has been implementing and encouraging collaboration between the German and American sides for years now. This will include keynotes from German and American IT security experts from industry and public administration. German IT security solutions will also be presented. This is particularly interesting for people who want to get to know the innovative ideas, policies, concepts, and solutions.
And I will also be moderating the session “Innovative Answers to the IoT Security Challenges” at the RSA Conference. In this session, we will look at the question of how the Internet of Things (IoT) can be made more secure. In particular, we will be discussing the topics “secure connectivity” and “a risk-based management approach” for fast reactions and the necessary trust model. This session is interesting for everyone who has an interest in the IT security challenges and innovative solutions in the area of IoT security. On Wednesday evening, I will also hold a small address at the German Evening in the German consulate in San Francisco, where we will again enjoy an intensive exchange about IT security with our American friends.
Meet Norbert Pohlmann and other IT security experts from the eco Association at the RSA Conference in San Francisco (North Expo, German Pavilion, booth number: 5671-18).
