The Shaping Cybersecurity Conference 2025, co-hosted by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA), the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) and the DEEP - Institute for Deep Tech Innovation at ESMT Berlin are bringing in experts to discuss the topic "Stronger Together: Cyber Capabilities for Vigilant Democracies".

Geopolitical tensions increasingly affect the cyber and digital space. In conflicts, such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine, cyberspace is part of the battlefield. Digital societies like Germany are increasingly being targeted by state-sponsored malicious cyber activities and cyber crime.  Democratic systems are under pressure through foreign influence operations and rising techno-authoritarianism. At the same time, technological innovations such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are fundamentally reshaping cybersecurity. 

Addressing these challenges requires unified action and strategic responses. Thus, the conference will explore how democracies can strengthen their cyber security and resilience at the national, European and international level to safeguard our democratic systems and help shape norms and standards, including through the lens of a growing AI-Cyber nexus.  

Conference Format

The event will be held in English under the Chatham House Rule with the participation of stakeholders from government, academia, industry, civil society, and the media. After a morning session with high-profile keynote speakers and panel discussions, the afternoon will also foresee break-out formats to ensure a comprehensive and lively discussion. 

The first session will provide a situational overview to set the state for subsequent discussions by clarifying the status quo and highlighting the urgency for action. It will discuss existing and emerging challenges and threats in cyberspace. This includes topics such as changes in the cybersecurity threat landscape, the impact of AI on cybersecurity, the rise of techno-authoritarianism and the impact of geopolitical shifts on the cyberspace.  

Building on the threat analysis, the second session will explore potential political (and technical) responses both on the national and international level. Panelists will address, among others, the need for a narrative shift and for renewed multilateral cooperation, also at EU level, as well as ways to strengthen existing norms and rules on how to behave in cyberspace and reduce dependencies. 

Following the plenary discussions, three simultaneous workshops will enable an even more practical and thematic dialogue.  Each workshop will discuss potential diplomatic, political, or technological responses, drawing from expert and audience input. 

The final wrap-up session will consolidate key insights from the three workshops in order to provide a perspective on the underlying question of this conference: What are the necessary steps that democratic governments and societies need to take today and tomorrow? 

In parallel, a gallery walk will showcase European tech start-ups that develop technologies that support democratic resilience. 

Moderating this event will be Katie Gallus. 

The in-person event takes place on June 17, 2025 from 9:00 to 16:45 followed by a networking reception at ESMT Berlin, Schloßplatz 1, 10178 Berlin, Germany. Registrations begin at 8:30.

Below you can find the detailed agenda for the event.

An opening-reception will be hosted on the eve of the conference on Monday, June 16, 2025 at Internationaler Club im Auswärtigen Amt, Kurstr. 36, 10117 Berlin from 18:00 to 20:00.

June 17, 2025. 09:15 – 18:00

ESMT Berlin, Schlossplatz 1, 10178 Berlin