Solutions for IT/OT security

The integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) is increasing in all areas of industry worldwide. However, as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) grows, so do the cyber risks. The IT/OT Security exhibition area at Hannover Messe 2025 is therefore becoming increasingly important for the industrial transformation. The stars of cyber security - including the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the German Cyber Security Organization (DCSO) - as well as companies such as Eye Security, Infodas, Rhebo and Secunet will meet in the ring of the "Industrial Security Circus" in Hall 16.

The new technologies that will be omnipresent at Hannover Messe 2025, such as AI, cloud computing, data analytics, 5G and blockchain, are not only enablers of industrial transformation, but also - often barely protected - targets of criminal energy. According to a recent forecast published by Statista, the annual global cost of cybercrime could rise steadily by a total of USD 6.4 trillion (+69.41%) between 2024 and 2029 and is expected to reach USD 15.63 trillion in 2029, a new high.

Cybersecurity at the level of state intelligence services

"Cyber security is business-critical," emphasizes Marcel van Asperdt, Chief Information Security Officer at Eye Security, who will be speaking on the Industrial Security Circus Stage at Hannover Messe 2025 about the increasing threats, which are exacerbated by a shortage of skilled workers and cost pressure. "Affordable solutions are essential, especially for SMEs - continuous security monitoring combined with cyber insurance offers the best protection," continues van Asperdt. His company, Eye Security, owes its existence to the decision of three employees of the Dutch secret service who pooled their expertise in 2020 with the aim of providing all organizations that are part of a larger supply chain with cyber security at the level of government intelligence services.

Important competitive factor in the wake of new cyber security laws

With the development of a network-based attack detection system for OT, Rhebo GmbH rethought the cyber security of industrial networks a good ten years ago. Today, Uwe Dietzmann, Sales Manager at the company, describes cyber security as an important competitive factor in the EU against the backdrop of new cyber security laws such as NIS-2 and the Cyber Resilience Act. "Visitors to the Industrial Security Circus at Hannover Messe 2025 can expect the most sophisticated and powerful portfolio for OT security made in Germany with Rhebo - from the OT core to the IIoT edge, from the initial risk assessment to the operation of an attack detection system," says Dietzmann.

Attackers do not adhere to deadlines

The need to respond to NIS-2 is also recognized by van Asperdt, who is certain that compliance with this new cybersecurity law will be challenging - regardless of the current implementation status in Germany: "NIS-2 will significantly tighten cybersecurity requirements - even for companies that are not directly affected. Those who act now will strengthen their resilience, protect supply chains and avoid hectic, expensive retrofitting. Waiting is not an option, because attackers don't stick to deadlines."

Building the Cybernation Germany

As the time is more than ripe for action, the BSI will also use the most important international platform for all technologies relating to industrial transformation to highlight solutions for society as a whole: "With its presence at Hannover Messe 2025, the BSI is making a contribution to the development of Germany as a cyber nation," says Jens Kluge from Department C 25 - Industrial Control and Automation Systems at the BSI, emphasizing: "Only together with industry and science can we master this challenging task.

At Hannover Messe 2025, we will inform interested trade fair visitors about the BSI's wide range of information and concrete solutions in the areas of artificial intelligence, industrial security, cloud security and cooperation opportunities such as the Alliance for Cyber Security." With the Common Security Advisory Framework (CSAF), the BSI is presenting a solution for increasing cyber resilience in Hanover. "We developed this standard together with international partners," says Kluge. Not only the CSAF standard itself, but also the freely available tools should continue to evolve and contribute to building and maintaining Germany as a cyber nation in the long term.

The stars of the Industrial Security Circus ring

The stars of the ring at the Industrial Security Circus are by no means as clueless as the performers in the circus dome in Alexander Kluge's legendary feature film. With a net and a double bottom, they ensure the protection of people, plants, the environment and the company's reputation. The DCSO, for example, provides the right answers to the asymmetric threat posed by globally active, organized cybercrime and state-controlled industrial espionage. With the SDoT Secure Network Card, the Airbus subsidiary Infodas is presenting effective protection against supply chain attacks and Secunet is presenting the SINA Cloud, the first cloud infrastructure solution in Germany whose security architecture is approved for classified information - up to and including the classification "Secret".