‘IT.CON 2025’, the trade fair for IT and cybersecurity, is being held at the Congresshalle on 18 September and will serve as a meeting point for experts, companies, specialists and interested individuals from all over Germany.
Jointly organised by saaris GmbH, Wirtschaftsregion Saarbrücken, East Side Fab and IHK Saarland as part of the CYBR360 network, the ‘IT.CON 2025’ trade fair brings together business, science and administration and provides a comprehensive insight into topics such as artificial intelligence, data security, digitalising administration, cloud applications and securing skilled personnel.
The first event last year saw 1,200 visitors come to visit nearly 80 exhibitors. This year the trade fair has grown: more than 90 exhibitors from all over Germany, including companies from North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony, will be presenting their solutions at the event. The number of visitors is also expected to rise.
There is plenty to see, from regional IT service providers and security companies through to big names such as Bechtle or August-Wilhelm Scheer Holding. Research institutions such as DFKI and Fraunhofer IESE will also making an appearance, alongside young, innovative start-ups from the local region.
Valentin Holzer, CEO of saaris GmbH: ‘IT.CON is not just a trade fair presenting innovative solutions – it is also a platform that brings companies and research institutions together and therefore creates opportunities for collaboration, investment and securing skilled personnel. For our regional economy, this also means greater visibility, more networking and a strong message that future technologies are welcome and well-established here. Saarland is a vital hub of digital innovation and cybersecurity.’
Elena Yorgova-Ramanauskas, State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Saarland: ‘IT.CON brings together all of the business, science and administration stakeholders required for a successful digital future. The number of exhibitors is increasing every year. Solutions for the key digitalisation topics relating to AI and securing skilled personnel, such as cybersecurity for our companies, are discussed here. Saarland is a leading region for these areas. The more all of the key players network with each other, the greater the synergies will be.’
Throughout the day, three stages will offer both experts and interested parties the opportunity to hear numerous presentations and discussion forums, as well as presenting the principles of best practice. One highlight will be the keynote speech by criminal and behavioural analyst Mark T. Hofmann, highlighting why cybercriminals use AI and deepfakes. In addition, there will be various practical formats for companies of all sizes (from start-ups to SMEs) and for public administration.
The trade fair is jointly funded by the Saarland Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy.
The trade fair is not just aimed at specialists, but is also open to school pupils, students and career starters interested in coming to talk to exhibitors in person.
Further details of the presentations, programme and exhibitors can be found on the trade fair website: www.it-con-messe.de
CYBR360
The CYBR360 network is an alliance of experts from the worlds of business and science, seeking to improve digital security for small and medium-sized companies in particular. Prevention services, further training and solutions are being developed to achieve this. CYBR360 was born of DiNet, the state government’s digitalisation network initiative. IT.CON is being co-organised by members of the network.
Photo: Jennifer Weyland
