The voices of Signal.
2026 speakers coming soon.
Brilliant minds across different countries and fields are joining us on stage to share their holistic perspectives on the vital role that the human factor plays in cyber security.
Ralf Schumacher
Former Formula 1 driver, Entrepreneur, TV Expert
Florence Gaub
Military Strategist and Futurologist, Director of the Research Division at NATO Defence College
Sigmar Gabriel
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany
Alexis Conran
Actor, Writer, and TV Presenter
Christoph von Marschall
Diplomatic Correspondent for the Chief Editorial Office of the Berlin “Tagesspiegel”
Jürgen Stock
Interpol Secretary General (2014–2024), Vice President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) (2004–2014)
Wladimir Kaminer
Author and columnist
Pernilla Sjöholm
Co-Founder and COO at IDfier, Known from Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler”
Achim Berg
Board member, Former President Bitkom
Campbell Murray
Ethical Hacker, Founder and CTO of Sodium Cyber
Dr. Niklas Hellemann
CEO and Co-Founder, SoSafe
Julian Schwarzkopf
Former Information Security Officer, Trade Republic
Sabrina Hofmann
Head of Information Security, Continental
Dennis Pokupec
Chief Security Officer (CSO), Creditplus Bank AG
Marian Schneider
Vice President Information & Physical Security, BESTSECRET
Dr. Anne Meckbach
Chief Compliance Officer, BESTSECRET
Christian Metzler
Head of Global IT, Niedax
Teresa Ritter
Senior Associate, GovTech Campus Germany
Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker
Scientific Director, cyberintelligence.institute
Bart Sikkes
Operational CISO, Valtech
Dr. Tim Sattler
Corporate Information Security Officer, Jungheinrich AG
Daniel Sieveke
State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Identity, Local Government, Building and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Florian Haacke
CSO and Head of Group Security, Porsche AG
Gail Quilter
Trauma Risk Management and Human Resilience Specialist
Nico Bäumer
CTO, d.velop AG
Thomas Tschersich
CSO, Deutsche Telekom AG
Daniel Adams
Head of IT Infrastructure & Security, FOND OF GmbH
Christiane Mänz
Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity Expert; Former Vice President IT & Digital Transformation at Zentis
Olaf Reimann
Senior Manager Enterprise Architecture and Cyber Security Governance, BENTELER Business Services GmbH
Eva Schuiteman-van Ginkel
Security Officer, Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Kjell Witte
Business Continuity Manager, CLAAS
Dr. Olaf Kroll-Peters
State Commissioner for Information Security of the State of Berlin, Senate Chancellery
Kerstin Pliquett
Managing Director, KDN – Dachverband kommunaler IT-Dienstleister
Bastian Dietz
Director of Digital & Information Technology, Brainlab SE
Inge van der Beijl
Director Innovation and Head of Expertise Behaviour, Northwave Cyber Security
Florian Müller
Head of Product & Technology, Proliance
Norbert Emodi
Senior Account Executive, Vanta
Arne Vodegel
Head of SOC & CTEM Services, Cyber Samurai
Anna Just
SOC Analyst, Cyber Samurai
Frank Slusny
VP Sales Germany, Austria and Switzerland, CyberVadis
Eugenio Carlon
Head of Cyber Security, Data Protection, WEB3, Telekom MMS
Anush Begoyan
CISO, Clickout Media
Ant Davis
Security Awareness Leader, Co-Host of The Awareness Angle Podcast
Bianca Zonne
Risk Compliance Manager, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
Annalisa O’Rourke
Founder and CEO, Apex Business Compliance Ltd.
Janneke Peters
Information Security Awareness Manager, Baloise
Can-André Birol
Director Cyber Security, Mutares
Christian Emonts
Head of Security & International, BPW Bergische Achsen KG
Michael Molina
Managing Director, Datagroup
Shannon Jaritz
VP Customer Success, SoSafe
Charline Kappes
Program Manager Public, SoSafe
Dr. Christian Reinhardt
Director of Human Risk Management, SoSafe
Thomas Owen
CISO, SoSafe
Melina Chatah
Director of International Customer Success, SoSafe
Leonie Katholing
Head of Learning Experience, SoSafe
Andrew Rose
Award-winning CISO, Industry Analyst & Human-Focused Security Evangelist
Rob Daly
Chief Technology Officer, SoSafe
Christine Siu
VP of Product, SoSafe
Dr. Gundula Zerbes
Digital Learning Expert, SoSafe
Tommy Courtney
Senior Product Manager, SoSafe
Joschka Havenith
Director of Public Sector Customer Success, SoSafe
Jasmine Jalava
Product Marketing Lead at SoSafe
Ralf Schumacher
Former Formula 1 driver, Entrepreneur, TV Expert
Ralf Schumacher is one of Germany’s most iconic motorsport figures, known for shaping a golden era of Formula 1. With six Grand Prix victories and 27 podiums over an 11-year F1 career, he brought precision, resilience, and strategy to the world’s most elite racing teams, including Williams and Toyota. His journey began on his family’s karting track in Kerpen, where a passion for speed turned into a lifelong pursuit of performance.
Today, Schumacher brings that same drive to the future of motorsport—as a Sky Sports Germany pundit, team mentor, and entrepreneur. From pioneering hybrid technologies and sustainable fuels to exploring the role of artificial intelligence in racing, he is at the forefront of innovation where man and machine meet. His focus: translating the split-second decisions, data-driven precision, and relentless teamwork of Formula 1 into powerful lessons for business, leadership, and human potential.
Florence Gaub
Military Strategist and Futurologist, Director of the Research Division at NATO Defence College
Dr. Florence Gaub is one of Europe’s foremost thinkers on future conflict, global security, and geopolitical transformation. As Director of Research at the NATO Defence College in Rome, she helps shape strategic foresight at the highest levels—advising governments and international bodies with scenario-based insights. A political scientist by training and former Deputy Director of the EU Institute for Security Studies, Gaub has served as a reserve officer in the French Army, analyzed post-war Middle East dynamics, and led the World Economic Forum’s Future Council on Frontier Risks. Her mission: to make tomorrow’s threats visible today.
Sigmar Gabriel
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany
Sigmar Gabriel is one of Germany’s most popular and influential politicians. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has held some of the country’s highest offices, including Federal Minister for the Environment, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Vice Chancellor, and Federal Foreign Minister, where his approval ratings reached record levels within months. He also served as Minister President of Lower Saxony and was Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD).
Renowned for his clear and captivating speeches, Gabriel is widely respected for his expertise in foreign policy, geopolitics, and global economic affairs, with a particular focus on transatlantic relations. He is Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke, a member of the Trilateral Commission, serves on the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group, and advises international organizations and companies on European and geopolitical issues.
In addition to teaching and writing, he hosts the podcast “World Briefing”, where he shares insights on global politics and international affairs, reinforcing his role as one of Germany’s leading voices in shaping the debate on Europe’s place in a changing world.
Alexis Conran
Actor, Writer, and TV Presenter
Alexis Conran is a renowned TV presenter, actor, and expert in scams and social engineering, best known for uncovering the psychological tricks used by fraudsters. As the face of the BBC’s The Real Hustle and host on Times Radio, Alexis reveals how even the savviest individuals can be manipulated into risky behavior.
At HuFiCon, he brings a unique blend of storytelling, real-world examples, and deep insight into human behavior — helping security professionals better understand the tactics of deception and how to build stronger human defenses in the face of growing social engineering threats.
Christoph von Marschall
Diplomatic Correspondent for the Chief Editorial Office of the Berlin “Tagesspiegel”
Christoph von Marschall is one of Germany’s leading geopolitical journalists and a renowned expert on global power dynamics. As diplomatic correspondent for the chief editorial board of Berlin’s Tagesspiegel newspaper, having lived in Washington for many years with access to the White House, he analyses the shifting balance between the world powers – the US, China, Russia and the European Union – and their influence on global security and transatlantic relations.
With his in-depth knowledge of Eastern European history and decades of experience as a reporter in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in the US, von Marschall offers insightful perspectives on international politics, the development of the transatlantic alliance and the geostrategic consequences of current conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Jürgen Stock
Interpol Secretary General (2014–2024), Vice President of the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) (2004–2014)
Jürgen Stock is internationally recognized as a leading authority on cybercrime, transnational crime, and global security policy. With over 40 years of law enforcement experience, including a decade as Secretary General of Interpol, he played a pivotal role in shaping international crime prevention strategies and promoting institutional integrity and compliance on a global scale.
As the first German to lead Interpol—the world’s largest intergovernmental police organization with 196 member states—he transformed it into a modern hub for intelligence, coordination, and innovation in the fight against cybercrime, terrorism, organized and financial crime. Under his leadership, Interpol advanced the use of cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence and the metaverse, to tackle emerging threats in the digital age.
Throughout his tenure, Stock engaged with global decision-makers at the UN Security Council, G7, G20, and other high-level forums, advocating for robust, law-based international security policies. His work consistently bridged operational policing with strategic public policy, compliance frameworks, and ethical governance.
Today, Jürgen Stock serves as a lawyer, security advisor, and honorary professor of law. He offers deep insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats, regulatory risk, and global crime trends—anchored in decades of hands-on experience and leadership at the highest levels of international law enforcement.
Wladimir Kaminer
Author and columnist
Wladimir Kaminer was born in Moscow in 1967. He completed training as a sound engineer for theatre and broadcasting, and then went on to study dramaturgy at the Moscow Institute of Theatre. Since 1990, he has been living in Berlin. He regularly publishes articles in various newspapers and magazines and organizes events such as his now internationally famous “Russendisko”. With the short story collection of the same name, as well as numerous other books, he became one of Germany’s most popular and sought-after authors. Kaminer is known for his entertaining, satirical, and often autobiographical texts, in which he addresses topics such as migration, cultural identity, everyday life in Germany, and the absurdities of life. All of his books are available as audiobooks, read by the author himself.
Pernilla Sjöholm
Co-Founder and COO at IDfier, Known from Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler”
Pernilla Sjöholm is a Swedish co-founder and COO of IDfier an identity verification platform that helps people create trust and verify identities in a world that’s easy to fake. Known from Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler, she’s now an author and global advocate for fraud awareness and digital safety.
Achim Berg
Board member, Former President Bitkom
Achim Berg sits on the supervisory and advisory boards of numerous well-known companies, is an investor and a proven digital expert. He is also an operating partner at Viessmann Generations Group, the newly founded holding company that is responsible for establishing a family holding company following the sale of Viessmann Climate Solutions. Prior to that, he was a partner at General Atlantic, a US growth investor, for almost nine years. Before that, he was a member of the Executive Board at Bertelsmann SE and CEO of Arvato AG, a service provider with more than 80,000 employees. From 2013 to 2017, he was Chairman of the Management Board at Microsoft Germany and then responsible globally for the marketing of all mobile operating systems at Microsoft in Seattle. Prior to that, he served on the board of Deutsche Telekom, T-Com, for five years, where he was responsible for all sales and marketing activities of the subgroup.
He was also president of the digital association Bitkom (until 2023) and vice president of the Federation of German Industries for six years. Berg holds a degree in computer science and has completed the European Management Program at the European Economic School EAP.
Campbell Murray
Ethical Hacker, Founder and CTO of Sodium Cyber
Murray is an established global leader in the field of information security. With over 25 years of experience spanning offensive security assessments and security engineering in a vast range of environments providing him with a rare level of insight into the broad fields of cybersecurity.
Previously the founder and technical director of Encription Limited, Murray became the Global Header of Cyber Security Delivery at Blackberry following acquisition. Murray formed Sodium Cyber in 2022 which provides specialist consultancy in the areas of IoT, OT, IT, and security engineering as well as penetration testing and red team activity.
Murray was a founding director of the Tiger Scheme in 2007 and the Cyber Scheme in 2013 where he is now the chair of the technical panel and a CTL assessor for both infrastructure and applications exams and is currently the CEO of both Sodium Cyber and the IMCSO.org.
Dr. Niklas Hellemann
CEO and Co-Founder, SoSafe
Niklas Hellemann is a studied psychologist, social engineering expert, and Co-founder & CEO at SoSafe. Before founding his own company, he worked as a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group for six years in the areas of People and Organization. Besides his Ph.D. in Business Administration, Niklas studied psychology – which led him to the human approach in the tech-savvy cyber security market. In 2018, Niklas founded SoSafe together with Lukas and Felix to strengthen digital self-defense worldwide. Today, Niklas is engaged as a speaker on various stages worldwide, including the OMR Festival, the Web Summit, and the RSA Conference, where he talks about the pressing challenges of social engineering and his learnings as the CEO of a B2B scale-up.
Julian Schwarzkopf
Former Information Security Officer, Trade Republic
As former Information Security Officer at Trade Republic, Julian Schwarzkopf has driven the strategic development of the company’s information security program during a period of rapid international growth. Since joining the Berlin-based fintech in 2020, he has played a key role in scaling the ISMS, leading GRC initiatives, and supporting regulatory compliance for the product and global market expansion. In his previous role in Digital Compliance at KPMG, Julian advised clients on complex IT and security requirements, including ISMS implementation and regulatory audits. With a background that spans consulting, high-growth tech, and international organizations, Julian brings a holistic understanding of cybersecurity, risk, and governance — combining deep regulatory knowledge with hands-on experience building security functions from the ground up.
Sabrina Hofmann
Head of Information Security, Continental
Since April 2025, Sabrina Hofmann has been Head of Information Security at Continental, where she drives strategic initiatives in risk management, policy development, security reporting, and user awareness. In this role, she focuses on building a resilient security culture and aligning technical safeguards with business objectives.
Previously, she specialized in cybersecurity user awareness, empowering employees to recognize and counter security threats through targeted education and engagement. Earlier in her career, she led the Microsoft Teams Service, gaining deep expertise in Microsoft 365 and enterprise collaboration platforms — a foundation she now applies to securing communication and collaboration environments.
With many years of experience in enterprise collaboration solutions, Sabrina brings a holistic perspective on how people interact with technology, an essential lens for designing effective and sustainable security strategies.
Dennis Pokupec
Chief Security Officer (CSO), Creditplus Bank AG
With over a decade of experience in information security and risk management, Dennis Pokupec is a recognized leader in the cybersecurity space — known for combining deep technical know-how with a strong strategic mindset.
After earning his degree in Security and Safety Engineering, Dennis launched his career at Sopra Steria Consulting in 2015. His talent and drive quickly propelled him into leadership positions, culminating in his role as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Viridium Group (2019–2022), where he built and led comprehensive cybersecurity programs.
In 2022, he stepped into the role of Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Creditplus Bank AG, where he continues to oversee enterprise-wide security efforts, ensuring resilience in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Expanding his impact beyond his corporate role, Dennis began offering freelance consulting and CISO coaching in 2024 — helping organizations and security leaders strengthen their risk posture. That same year, he became a sought-after public speaker, sharing his insights on national and international stages. His outstanding contributions were recognized with the CIO200 Next-Gen Award (2024), highlighting him as one of the most promising voices in the future of cybersecurity leadership.
Marian Schneider
Vice President Information & Physical Security, BESTSECRET
Marian Schneider is a cybersecurity expert with a passion for building modern, user-focused security strategies. Since 2017, he has held a range of technical and leadership roles in multinational companies, including work as a penetration tester.
With deep experience in creating lean, forward-thinking security frameworks, Marian has been leading the Information and Physical Security teams at BESTSECRET since January 2022. There, he is driving the development of a highly automated, efficient in-house security department. His focus: leveraging cutting-edge technologies and smart processes to deliver sustainable, practical security solutions that empower users and protect organizations.
Dr. Anne Meckbach
Chief Compliance Officer, BESTSECRET
Dr. Anne Meckbach is the Chief Compliance Officer of BESTSECRET Group. She is responsible, among other things, for the group-wide management and strategic development of the areas of compliance, risk management, and sustainability for BESTSECRET. Previously, she served as Chief Compliance Officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE. Before transitioning into the compliance field, she worked both in-house and as a lawyer at an international law firm specializing in corporate law and M&A.
Christian Metzler
Head of Global IT, Niedax
As Head of Global IT at the Niedax Group since February 2022, Christian Metzler leads the transformation of the company’s global IT infrastructure and oversees its entire cybersecurity strategy. Before joining Niedax, he served as Managing Director at IBS Technology, where he and his team delivered large-scale digitalization projects for companies in the construction supply industry. With extensive experience in IT and digital transformation — both from the service provider side and within corporate environments — Christian brings a deep, well-rounded understanding of the diverse perspectives needed to shape a globally oriented security strategy.
Teresa Ritter
Senior Associate, GovTech Campus Germany
Teresa Ritter is responsible for establishing and coordinating the security ecosystem at GovTech Campus Germany. This initiative connects European technology companies, start-ups, and scientific organisations with government bodies involved in internal and external security. The aim is to develop forward-looking solutions and structures that meet future security requirements and thus contribute to government resilience.
Previously, Teresa was a consultant in the management team of the Agency for Innovation in Cybersecurity and Head of Security Policy at Bitkom. She started her professional career as a research assistant in the office of a member of the German Bundestag. Teresa Ritter holds a Master of Science in Economics.
Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker
Scientific Director, cyberintelligence.institute
Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker is one of the leading minds in cyber security and works as Scientific Director of the cyberintelligence.institute in Frankfurt am Main, Member of the Board of Directors of the strategy consulting company CERTAVO AG, Visiting Professor at the private Riga Graduate School of Law in Latvia, which was founded by the Soros Foundation and is a FORBES Technology Council. He conducts research on topics at the interface of law and technology in cyber security, corporate strategy and digital resilience in the context of global crises, with a particular focus on Chinese and US IT law.
Kipker is an advisor to the German Federal Government and the European Commission and a member of the Advisory Board of the Lithuanian cybersecurity unicorn NordVPN, the Munich-based IT security company Myra Security as well as in the BSI cyber security expert group for the space sector. He is also a peer reviewer for the Cambridge University Press, the US Fulbright Scholarship Program, the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. In 2024, Professor Kipker was appointed as Chairman to gematik’s new Digital Advisory Board, the highest body in Germany that helps decide on the digitalisation of national health insurance providers. Prof. Kipker has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Professional Association of Compliance Managers Germany since 2025.
Dennis Kipker works voluntarily for the World Justice Project in the USA and on the Advisory Board of the African Center for Cyberlaw & Cybercrime Prevention (ACCP) at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. At Powerhouse North, he is the captain for the hybrid resilience of energy and infrastructure.
Bart Sikkes
Operational CISO, Valtech
With over 30 years of experience in many areas of IT, Bart uses his expertise to level up security at Valtech. He leads an international team of over 50 local and regional security officers located across Valtech’s 25 countries. These security officers promote security awareness, train colleagues, and support the sales and client delivery teams. At the same time, Bart supports the global and local IT teams in keeping the good inside and the bad outside the organisation. He also leads the CSIRT team when required.
His technical skills as a CISSP-certified officer, combined with his excellent communication skills, enable him to adapt security communications for different purposes and target audiences.
Dr. Tim Sattler
Corporate Information Security Officer, Jungheinrich AG
Dr. Tim Sattler is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Jungheinrich AG in Hamburg. A physicist by training, he has led the company’s certified, group-wide Information Security Management System (ISMS) since 2012.
With over 25 years of experience in information security, Dr. Sattler is recognized as one of the industry’s established voices. He serves as President of the German chapter of ISACA, the global professional association for IT governance, and actively contributes to the organization’s national and international committees. In 2019, he received the prestigious CISO Award from the CISO Alliance.
Daniel Sieveke
State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Identity, Local Government, Building and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Daniel Sieveke has been State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Identity, Local Government, Building and Digitalization of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia since June 2022. In his role as the state’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), he is playing a key part in the digital transformation of the administration. Following training as a banker and further qualifications in savings banking, he held various management positions at Sparkasse Paderborn until 2010. From 2010 to 2022, he was a member of the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament, focusing particularly on municipal and digital issues. In his current role, he focuses on digitising administration, expanding municipal infrastructure, and promoting innovative solutions for a modern, networked state administration.
Florian Haacke
CSO and Head of Group Security, Porsche AG
Florian Haacke has been Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Head of Group Security at Porsche AG since 2020. Previously, he was responsible for group security at innogy SE, RWE AG, and METRO AG. As a reserve staff officer, he serves in the German Armed Forces’ Cyber and Information Domain Command, having previously served in the Special Operations Division. In 2016, he participated in the executive seminar on security policy at the Federal Academy for Security Policy.
In addition to his professional activities, Florian Haacke is involved in numerous expert committees and organizations, including as a board member of the “Allianz für Sicherheit in der Wirtschaft Baden-Württemberg e.V.”, in the BDI Working Group on Cybersecurity and Economic Protection, in the CSO Roundtable of ASIS International, in the International Security Management Association, and in the European Institute of Corporate Security Management. He also teaches at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and the European Business School on issues relating to the strategic management of corporate security organizations.
As an editor, he has published the book “Risiko Blackout – Krisenvorsorge für Wirtschaft, Behörden und Kommunen” (Risk Blackout – Crisis Preparedness for Business, Authorities, and Municipalities), which became a bestseller. Since 2007, he has also been responsible for the online security portal sicherheitsmelder.de, published by Richard Boorberg Verlag. He is also a co-founder of SBG Serious Business Gaming GmbH.
Florian Haacke has received numerous awards for his work, including the Cybersecurity Leader Award, the Outstanding Security Performance Award, the CSO50 Award, and the Security Innovation Award. He is one of the leading figures in his industry in the ranking of the Top 40 Global Thought Leaders in Security and Safety 2025.
Gail Quilter
Trauma Risk Management and Human Resilience Specialist
Gail served as a Navigator in the Royal Navy for ten years and has continued in the Reserves for the past eight years, where she teaches navigation and shiphandling, manages training across the Reserves and delivers diversity, inclusion and human factors training. She supports frontline responders as a Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) Manager with the RNLI, works alongside prisoners in prison settings, and teaches trauma resilience using neuroscience-informed methods. Alongside volunteering with the Samaritans and training in integrative counselling, she runs a guest house that has provided a home for two Ukrainian families for almost four years. As a parent, rugby player training as a coach and referee, a year-round sea swimmer, and an enthusiastic dinghy sailor, her work and life are grounded in person-centred values, relational depth, and a belief in the power of authentic human connection to foster growth and resilience.
Nico Bäumer
CTO, d.velop AG
As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of d.velop AG, Nico Bäumer is actively shaping the digital future. With his many years of experience in product development and product management, he continuously drives intuitive and innovative solutions forward – always with the customer in mind. His current focus is on generative AI, which he believes will bring about lasting change in the digital transformation. In his previous role as Solutions Architect at AWS, he supported software manufacturers on their cloud and SaaS journey. As a trained business economist, he complements his technical expertise with in-depth business management know-how.
Thomas Tschersich
CSO, Deutsche Telekom AG
Thomas Tschersich has more than 25 years of experience in cyber security. In his role as Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Deutsche Telekom AG, he is responsible for both cyber security and operational security issues at Deutsche Telekom. He is also Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Telekom Security. Tschersich is Chairman of the Board at Deutschland sicher im Netz and holds numerous advisory positions, including being a member of the Cybersecurity Council and the UP Kritis Council.
Daniel Adams
Head of IT Infrastructure & Security, FOND OF GmbH
Daniel Adams has been responsible for IT infrastructure at FOND OF GmbH since 2019 and for IT security since 2024. Previously, he worked as a consultant for cloud and data center services in a corporate environment and held a management position at a regional IT service provider. He began his professional career as a system administrator at an advertising agency in Cologne.
Christiane Mänz
Digital Transformation & Cybersecurity Expert; Former Vice President IT & Digital Transformation at Zentis
Christiane Mänz is an accomplished IT and digital transformation leader with deep expertise in shaping technology strategies, driving organizational change, and ensuring cybersecurity and compliance in complex environments.
With a career spanning leadership roles in both industry and consulting — including at PwC and most recently as Vice President of IT & Digital Transformation and CISO at Zentis — Christiane has successfully guided companies through large-scale digital initiatives, the implementation of ISO 27001–certified information security management systems, and the strategic use of AI.
She is known for her ability to translate technology into business value, build high-performing teams, and foster a culture of innovation and security. With a strong focus on regulatory compliance (including NIS2, ISO 27001) and digital resilience, Christiane continues to shape the intersection of technology, leadership, and trust in the digital age.
Olaf Reimann
Senior Manager Enterprise Architecture and Cyber Security Governance, BENTELER Business Services GmbH
Olaf Reimann is Senior Manager Enterprise Architecture and Cyber Security Governance at BENTELER Business Services GmbH. He holds a degree in Business Informatics (Diplom-Wirtschaftsinformatiker) from the University of Paderborn and completed an IT specialist training (Fachinformatiker) at Siemens AG in Paderborn, Cologne, and Düsseldorf.
Before joining BENTELER in 2011, he worked at arvato systems GmbH as system planner, consultant, and project lead in the areas of telecommunications infrastructure and unified communications. At BENTELER, he has since held various positions in IT, including project management, enterprise architecture, information security, and governance.
Eva Schuiteman-van Ginkel
Security Officer, Slachtofferhulp Nederland
Eva is a passionate and forward-thinking Security Officer at Victim Support Netherlands (Slachtofferhulp Nederland), where she plays a key role in bridging the gap between IT and the business. She ensures that digital safety and awareness are embedded in every layer of the organization, making cybersecurity both accessible and impactful. In her role, she advises on Data Protection Impact Assessments to safeguard personal data and privacy, drives employee awareness through the SoSafe platform, and strengthens information security practices in line with compliance standards. Working closely with a dedicated team, she helps roll out the modern workplace to enable secure and flexible collaboration, while also translating complex IT concepts into clear, actionable insights for the organization. Through her work, Eva empowers Victim Support Netherlands to operate securely and confidently in a digital world.
Kjell Witte
Business Continuity Manager, CLAAS
Kjell Witte is responsible for Business Continuity Management at CLAAS, a global leader in agricultural machinery manufacturing. CLAAS, known for its advanced harvesters, tractors, and agricultural technologies, operates in over 140 countries with a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. Kjell plays a key role in shaping and executing strategies that safeguard the company’s operations and drive long-term resilience across its global operations.
Dr. Olaf Kroll-Peters
State Commissioner for Information Security of the State of Berlin, Senate Chancellery
Dr. Olaf Kroll-Peters studied computer science and psychology and received his doctorate in 2010 from the Chair of Artificial Intelligence on the understanding of information security among humans. After various positions in the private sector—including as department head at Fresenius, Deutsche Telekom, and SAP, as well as division manager and solution designer for security solutions at EnBW—he moved into public service.
He has been working in the Berlin administration for around ten years, as IT manager in the Office for Statistics, as security officer at the Berlin Court of Appeal, where he discovered the serious Emotet attack in 2019 that took the court offline for a year, and then as deputy security officer at the Senate Interior Administration. Since July, Olaf Kroll-Peters has been the State Information Security Officer for the State of Berlin at the Senate Chancellery.
Kerstin Pliquett
Managing Director, KDN – Dachverband kommunaler IT-Dienstleister
Since January 2024, Kerstin Pliquett has been working intensively on the digital transformation of local authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia as managing director of KDN, the umbrella organization for municipal IT service providers. In doing so, she draws on the wealth of experience and comprehensive expertise she has gained in more than 25 years in public administration at the municipal level, particularly in relation to municipal IT.
Before joining KDN, Kerstin Pliquett played a key role in establishing nextgoviT GmbH as its managing director. Prior to that, she was responsible for customer management and sales, IT service management, e-procurement, and product development for portals and online services at the association Südwestfalen-IT. She was also a member of the management board at SIT GmbH.
“Throughout my professional career, I have supported cities, municipalities and districts in North Rhine-Westphalia in using IT. Digital technologies are crucial for ensuring that local authorities can continue to act and perform effectively in future. However, we must combine our diversity in North Rhine-Westphalia with more joint action. Only then will our strength be fully realised.”
Bastian Dietz
Director of Digital & Information Technology, Brainlab SE
For Bastian Dietz, Director of Digital & Information Technology at Brainlab SE, technology’s true power is unlocked when it serves people. He leads the global division overseeing the company’s IT strategy, business applications, infrastructure, and services. His leadership is driven by the conviction that a modern IT organization should be a strategic asset—one that drives business value, fosters innovation, and empowers all employees to make a significant impact. Prior to joining Brainlab, Bastian honed his expertise in technology strategy and consulting at Accenture and Deloitte. Fun fact: He holds a Diploma in Adult Education, a unique background that enables him to effectively bridge the gap between complex technology and the people who use it.
Inge van der Beijl
Director Innovation and Head of Expertise Behaviour, Northwave Cyber Security
Inge van der Beijl – driven by innovation across every facet of cybersecurity. Whether tackling behavioral, strategic, or technical challenges, she leads her team with curiosity and a commitment to creating real impact. Her approach combines a solid academic foundation—holding degrees in Social and Organizational Psychology as well as Change Management—with hands-on experience, including a military deployment in Afghanistan and deep expertise in ransomware crisis communication.
As Director Innovation and Head of Expertise Behaviour at the international cybersecurity company Northwave Cyber Security, Inge heads the Cyber Security Future Centre (CFC): a division dedicated to shaping the future of cybersecurity through visionary strategies, experimentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Her personal philosophy? Always bring the human perspective. Because with every threat, every innovation, and every decision, she asks: What does this mean for the people affected?
Florian Müller
Head of Product & Technology, Proliance
As Head of Product & Technology at Proliance, Florian Müller is responsible for the strategic and operational product development of the Proliance compliance platform. He is steering the portfolio transformation from a pure data protection solution to an integrated compliance platform with three product lines (data protection, information security, whistleblower protection), enabling over 2,500 B2B customers to efficiently implement regulatory requirements such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and NIS2. At Proliance, he is driving an AI-first strategy that automates customer experience and go-to-market processes.
Before joining Proliance, Florian led the development of digital business banking at DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank). He was responsible for the entire portfolio of digital B2B touchpoints and introduced online credit sales.
At the beginning of his career at Deutsche Bank, he worked as an IT product owner and led the development of the mobile banking app and various mobile payment solutions in Germany.
Norbert Emodi
Senior Account Executive, Vanta
Norbert Emődi is a senior sales professional with more than 10 years of experience supporting SaaS companies and enterprises across Europe. At Vanta, he works with organizations in the DACH region to automate security and compliance, enabling them to accelerate deals and build trust. His career spans senior sales and project management roles at Google, Pluralsight, LinkedIn and Deutsche Telekom, giving him a strong background in technology, digital transformation, and customer growth.
Arne Vodegel
Head of SOC & CTEM Services, Cyber Samurai
Arne Vodegel sheds light on the cyber threat landscape. As Head of SOC and CTEM Services at Cyber Samurai, he is responsible for the Security Operations Center (SOC) and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) divisions – and supports companies throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in setting up future-proof security strategies.
With his many years of experience from a wide range of complex projects, Arne combines in-depth technical expertise with a clear view of the big picture. His areas of focus are identity and access management, SOC, and threat intelligence. Whether it’s strategic consulting or operational implementation, Arne knows how to not only plan security concepts, but also bring them to life effectively.
Anna Just
SOC Analyst, Cyber Samurai
Anna Just works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, serving as a SOC analyst. For her, cybersecurity is not just a job, but a way of thinking. She combines the power of automation with the precision of structural analysis, discovering what others overlook. Her analytical thinking and systematic approach enable her not only to identify threats, but also to predict their development. If everything seems fine in your security system, you probably haven’t looked closely enough.
Frank Slusny
VP Sales Germany, Austria and Switzerland, CyberVadis
Frank Slusny leads the DACH team at CyberVadis, a leading provider of solutions and managed services for Third-Party Cyber Risk Management. He brings extensive leadership experience from Palo Alto Networks, Dell Technologies, Cisco Systems, and IBM. In his engineering, sales, and management roles, Frank has helped and advised enterprise customers in the transformation of business models, IT, and Cyber Security. Since joining CyberVadis in 2023, he has played a key role in establishing a presence in the DACH market and has helped customers establish globally scalable, efficient Third-Party Cyber Risk Management programs to mitigate the increasing risks caused by increasingly complex supply chains.
Eugenio Carlon
Head of Cyber Security, Data Protection, WEB3, Telekom MMS
Eugenio Carlon is Head of the Cyber Security, Data Protection, and WEB3 Business Unit at Telekom MMS. After studying electrical engineering at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Hamburg, he began his career as an officer in the German Air Force in the field of IT security. He then served as Head of IT Security for SATCOMBw 2 at Airbus Defence & Space, Head of Cyber Engineering Germany at Airbus CyberSecurity GmbH, and Senior Vice President Cyber Security and Managing Director at Materna RADAR Cyber Security, among other positions. Since then, he has been responsible for the strategic development and implementation of innovative security solutions in the areas of cyber security, data protection, and Web3 technologies at Telekom MMS.
Anush Begoyan
CISO, Clickout Media
Anush Begoyan is a results-driven cybersecurity executive with over five years of leadership experience in cybersecurity, risk management, and business alignment. Since March 2024, Anush has served as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at ClickoutMedia, where she leads the organization’s global cybersecurity strategy, overseeing enterprise-wide security operations, incident response, and risk management while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
With a career spanning academia, financial services, and corporate cybersecurity, Anush has built deep expertise in threat intelligence – particularly in cybercrime and hacktivism – and successfully transitioned into senior leadership, driving transformational change across complex technical environments. Previous roles include positions at Accenture and as a Cyber Threat Intelligence Consultant at iDefense (formerly VeriSign).
Anush is recognized for her ability to build cybersecurity capabilities from the ground up, advise executive leadership on emerging threats, and foster a strong culture of security across organizations.
Ant Davis
Security Awareness Leader, Co-Host of The Awareness Angle Podcast
Ant Davis is a Security Awareness Leader and co-host of The Awareness Angle podcast. With over a decade of experience, he focuses on using creative, innovative methods inspired by marketing to change security behaviours and build stronger cultures. At major UK retailers, he has shaped awareness programmes that make cybersecurity simple, human, and memorable.
Bianca Zonne
Risk Compliance Manager, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS)
After more than 20 years in security, one slogan still really makes Bianca wince: “people are the weakest link”. She has made it her mission to fight the camp of the “user” and arm them with information and knowledge to stay safe on- and offline. “Let’s remind everyone why the PPT framework starts with People!”
Annalisa O’Rourke
Founder and CEO, Apex Business Compliance Ltd.
Annalisa is the Founder and CEO of Apex Business Compliance Ltd., where she specializes in simplifying business compliance and governance frameworks for organizations. With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, she is dedicated to transforming compliance from a painful obligation into a strategic asset that drives growth and stakeholder trust.
Before founding Apex, Annalisa held senior leadership roles, including COO, Acting CEO, Chief of Compliance, Board Director & Advisory roles at leading hosting and security tooling providers. Her expertise spans across maturity assessment, performance analysis, risk management, and governance, where she has guided companies through major transitions, such as mergers, acquisitions, and IPO readiness.
Annalisa has extensive expertise in advising organisations on compliance with industry standards focused on information and data security, business continuity, CSR, and ESG. These standards include ISO, SOC, NIST, and DORA. Her mission at Apex is to make compliance as easy as ABC, enabling companies to integrate diverse compliance and regulation requirements seamlessly and scale their strategies with confidence.
In addition to her technical acumen, Annalisa is passionate about promoting gender-balanced leadership in the IT sector. As a member of multiple Women’s Networks and a certified One of Many coach, she advocates for diversity and inclusion, fostering meaningful cultural change within organizations.
Janneke Peters
Information Security Awareness Manager, Baloise
As an Awareness Manager at Baloise, Janneke Peters puts people at the center of everything she does. With a keen sense for targeted communication, she creates short, engaging formats that make Cybersecurity tangible – from training sessions to full-scale campaigns. Her approach combines learning with behavioral change, while always respecting the realities of daily business at Baloise. She strikes a balance between understanding and action, with a clear focus on risks and objectives. For Janneke, every action counts – because security is teamwork.
Can-André Birol
Director Cyber Security, Mutares
Born and raised in Cologne, Can has always been fascinated by the intersection of business and technology. After earning a degree in Business Administration from the University of Cologne and completing a master’s program in Lisbon and Montréal with a focus on Information Management and Data Quality, he joined KPMG in 2013. Over the following eight years, he specialized in risk management and information security, particularly in highly regulated industries such as banking and insurance.
Since 2023, he has been Director of Cyber Security at Mutares, where he leads cybersecurity aspects in due diligence and integration processes. His work focuses on implementing management systems in line with TISAX and NIS2 requirements across industries such as automotive, retail, and manufacturing.
Outside of work, he’s passionate about sports — from tennis and football to padel and basketball — enjoys exploring new cuisines, traveling, and is an avid film enthusiast always in search of a great story.
Christian Emonts
Head of Security & International, BPW Bergische Achsen KG
Christian Emonts, 47 years old, married and father of two children, lives in Brühl. After completing his training as an IT specialist for system integration at the publishing house M. DuMont Schauberg and earning a degree in Business Informatics from the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, he began his career in IT support and developed over two decades into an experienced leader in IT operations and information security.
After positions at Computacenter and Modular Computer Systems, he spent more than ten years at SQS (now Expleo), where he held various leadership roles, including Global Head of IT Operations and IT Country Manager Germany. In 2019, he joined Siegwerk Druckfarben as Head of IT Operations.
Since 2020, Christian Emonts has been working at BPW Bergische Achsen KG. Initially, he was responsible as License Manager & Security Coordinator for implementing and managing license management processes as well as coordinating security measures. Since April 2022, he has been heading the department Security & International, driving the strategic development of international IT processes and the company’s information security. His focus is on implementing innovative solutions that combine efficiency, security, and global standards.
Michael Molina
Managing Director, Datagroup
Michael Molina took over as managing director of Datagroup BIT for the banking and insurance sector in mid-2025.
Previously, he was responsible for the pre-sales division of major outsourcing and managed services engagements at Siemens SIS, Atos, and Computacenter.
In the banking and insurance industry in particular, the security requirements placed on an outsourcer always deserve special attention.
Through a long-standing first-generation outsourcing engagement at Airbus SAS, he was able to experience all facets of this business. After studying computer science and working as a management consultant, he joined Managed Services in 2003, where he has remained to this day.
Shannon Jaritz
VP Customer Success, SoSafe
Shannon Jaritz is Vice President of Customer Success at SoSafe, where she leads the teams responsible for guiding customers from onboarding and integration through to long-term satisfaction and retention. Her entire career has been dedicated to putting customers first, and she brings a data-driven mindset to building strong, lasting relationships that drive value. Shannon firmly believes that customers are a company’s greatest asset – a principle she and her team champion every day at SoSafe. Beyond her role, Shannon has also been the wonderful moderator of HuFiCon for two editions, helping shape meaningful conversations and connect the community around people-centric cybersecurity.
Charline Kappes
Program Manager Public, SoSafe
Charline Kappes is Program Manager Public at SoSafe, where she drives awareness for people-centric cybersecurity in the public sector. With over five years at SoSafe and training as an Information Security Officer, she combines strategic program work with deep knowledge of security frameworks and compliance. As a host of the Human Firewall Podcast, Charline breaks down complex cybersecurity topics for broad audiences. A sought-after speaker known for her engaging presence, she regularly addresses cybercrime and the human factor in security. Outside of work, she is active in politics, advocating for digital resilience and cybersecurity education.
Dr. Christian Reinhardt
Director of Human Risk Management, SoSafe
Dr. Christian Reinhardt is a sports psychologist, author, speaker, and former Managing Director of the Saxony-Anhalt Football Association. As an expert in human behavior and adult education, he brings deep psychological insight to his role as Director of Human Risk Management at SoSafe. There, he focuses on how cybercriminals exploit psychological mechanisms to manipulate individuals—and how organizations can harness the same behavioral science to foster secure habits. Previously, he lectured at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and worked as a learning consultant with international companies, always with a passion for turning complex psychological concepts into practical, people-centered strategies for awareness and behavior change.
Thomas Owen
CISO, SoSafe
Thomas Owen is a cybersecurity leader and former Emergency Planning Officer and responder in the UK emergency services, known for building high-performing, cloud-native security teams. Now CISO at SoSafe, and previously at Grafana Labs and Snyk, he champions “enabled autonomy,” applying product-led and good engineering principles to Security and IT, and inclusive leadership. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity in tech, Thomas blends deep technical expertise with a people-first approach rooted in resilience, empathy, and real-world experience.
Melina Chatah
Director of International Customer Success, SoSafe
Melina is the Director of International Customer Success at SoSafe, where she leads with a clear and powerful mission: take care of the people who take care of the customers. With over a decade in customer-facing roles across startups and enterprise environments, she’s known for turning strategy into action – building high-performing teams, driving retention and growth, and scaling CS across borders with heart and precision.
At SoSafe, Melina heads up a pan-European Customer Success team and spearheads expansion into non-DACH markets. She draws from a wealth of experience in organizations at all stages of CS maturity, offering practical, deeply human insights on adoption, impact, and cross-functional success.
Whether hosting the Human Firewall Conference or sharing the stage with fellow leaders across Europe, Melina is a bold advocate for cybersecurity awareness, inclusive leadership, and real talk in a sometimes-too-serious industry.
Leonie Katholing
Head of Learning Experience, SoSafe
Leonie Katholing holds a degree in business education and has over 10 years of experience in vocational training. For more than six years, she has specialized in e-learning, emphasizing high didactical standards and promoting behavioral change. At SoSafe, she founded the e-learning content team, which develops high-quality learning experiences in cybersecurity, data protection, and compliance.
Andrew Rose
Award-winning CISO, Industry Analyst & Human-Focused Security Evangelist
Andrew Rose is a strategic advisor to SoSafe, supporting the company’s mission to advance human-centric cyber security. With more than 25 years of experience, Andrew has held CISO roles at UK Air Traffic Control, Mastercard, Proofpoint, and two ‘magic circle’ global law firms. He also served as Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, guiding cybersecurity strategies for leading global organizations. His recognitions include ‘European CISO of the Year’ (2018), “Best Security Awareness Campaign” (2015), and consistent inclusion in the CSO30 (2020–2023).
Rob Daly
Chief Technology Officer, SoSafe
Rob Daly is the Chief Technology Officer at SoSafe, where he is driving the company’s transformation into an AI-first organization. With deep expertise in biometrics, identity verification, and fraud prevention, he focuses on harnessing the power of innovation while safeguarding privacy, ensuring compliance, and upholding corporate responsibility.
Before joining SoSafe, Rob spent nearly four years at Stripe as Head of Engineering for Identity, where he launched Stripe Identity—now the go-to verification solution for fintech, healthcare, and web3 companies. His team built the identity infrastructure supporting millions of merchants worldwide, tackling some of the most complex challenges in fraud detection and digital trust. Prior to that, he led engineering teams at Microsoft responsible for major Office releases across Mac, iOS, and iPad.
Known for demonstrating AI’s real-world value while staying clear-eyed about its risks and limitations, Rob brings the same philosophy to startups and global enterprises alike: build technology that endures, put customers first, and innovate in ways that truly earn trust.
Christine Siu
VP of Product, SoSafe
Christine Siu is the VP of Product at SoSafe, where she sets the strategic direction for the company’s human risk platform. She aligns teams around meaningful customer outcomes, empowering security leaders to drive behaviour change, meet regional compliance requirements, and demonstrate measurable impact. At SoSafe, she champions simple, scalable experiences backed by clear metrics, and fosters tight feedback loops between user research, product analytics, and go-to-market teams.
Before joining SoSafe, Christine built and led Twilio’s International Product organization, establishing three squads and delivering the compliance, growth, and localization capabilities that enabled rapid new-market expansion—a repeatable playbook grounded in solving real customer pain points.
Earlier in her career at JPMorgan, she served as a Product Manager in Digital Markets, launching institutional FX trading platforms—web, desktop, and mobile—across 12 APAC markets. That hands-on work with complex regulations, entitlements, and secure access cemented her customer-first approach to enterprise software.
Dr. Gundula Zerbes
Digital Learning Expert, SoSafe
Dr. Gundula Zerbes is a Digital Learning Expert specializing in integrating behavioral science into SoSafe’s products. With a strong background in learning and memory research, Gundula takes an evidence-based approach to design solutions that enhance security awareness and reduce risky behavior. By incorporating the latest scientific insights, she helps create lasting behavioral changes and empowers users to strengthen their digital self-defense.
Tommy Courtney
Senior Product Manager, SoSafe
As Senior Product Manager at SoSafe, Tommy leads the Phishing Simulation team, focusing on developing personalised, behavior-based phishing simulations. He is dedicated to enhancing user engagement and improving cyber security awareness by creating effective simulations that respond to individual learning needs. With a strong background in cyber security and product strategy, Tommy is committed to delivering solutions that help customers reduce their human cyber risk and build a stronger security culture.
Joschka Havenith
Director of Public Sector Customer Success, SoSafe
Drawing from his background in political science, Joschka Havenith’s journey into cybersecurity was driven by a deep appreciation for the importance of secure and functioning public institutions. His experiences in consulting and academia gave him a crucial insight: technology is only half the battle, the human element is paramount.
For the last six and a half years at SoSafe, now as the Director of Public Sector Customer Success, Joschka has dedicated himself to this human-centric approach. He is passionate about working with the public sector because he understands the immense trust citizens place in these organizations and the tremendous challenges public sector institutions face.
Joschka firmly believes that in an era of complex digital threats, the strongest defense is an empowered and aware employee. His mission is to transform the human element from a perceived vulnerability into an active and resilient line of defense, ensuring our public services remain secure for everyone.
Jasmine Jalava
Product Marketing Lead at SoSafe
Jasmine Jalava is a Product Marketing Lead at SoSafe, where she drives go-to-market strategy and bridges the gap between product and market for the company’s learning platform. With a background in international business and marketing strategy from ESB Business School and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Jasmine combines analytical rigor with creative storytelling to make cybersecurity accessible and engaging. At SoSafe, she leads initiatives that translate complex product capabilities into clear value for customers. Passionate about the intersection of technology, psychology, and communication, Jasmine is dedicated to making cybersecurity more human, one campaign at a time.