Cybersecurity in Focus at XPONENTIAL Europe 2026

Autonomous systems – whether in the air, on land or in water – offer enormous potential but are also exposed to new digital risks. The Cybersecurity forum at XPONENTIAL Europe 2026 is dedicated precisely to these challenges: How can companies, critical infrastructures and security-relevant sectors be reliably protected? What role does artificial intelligence play in defending against modern attack scenarios and what risks does it itself introduce?

What is it about?

Cyberattacks are among the most significant threats to modern digital systems. Autonomous technologies in particular must be reliably protected against manipulation, malfunction and unauthorized access. The Cybersecurity forum provides in-depth insights into current threat landscapes, highlights best practices from industry, authorities and research and presents strategies to strengthen resilience in safety-critical environments.

A particular focus is placed on the topic of digital sovereignty – a crucial success factor in an era marked by shifting geopolitical dynamics, technological dependencies and rapidly changing global markets. The forum explores how organizations and states can maintain control over critical technologies, which architectural and policy measures are needed to ensure sovereignty and how cybersecurity becomes a foundational pillar for secure and independent digital infrastructures.

The program is complemented by expert assessments on the role of artificial intelligence in security-sensitive environments, as well as a live vehicle-hacking demonstration on the exhibition grounds that showcases real-world attack scenarios on connected systems.

The Cybersecurity forum provides a concise overview of the most pressing security challenges in autonomous and highly connected systems. It focuses on practical insights, strategic approaches and the most important regulatory developments shaping the cybersecurity landscape.

Key Topics:

• Cybersecurity in Companies: Protecting business-critical systems and building resilient IT infrastructures

• Critical Infrastructure: Requirements for supply security and cyber resilience

• Homeland Security & Military: Security strategies for governmental and military applications

• Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, risks and concrete use cases in security-sensitive environments

• Regulatory Frameworks: Including the EU AI Act and the Cyber Resilience Act

• Digital Sovereignty: Strengthening technological independence and reducing global dependencies

In addition to the presentations, the Cybersecurity forum offers valuable opportunities for networking and hands-on insights. During the program break, a guided tour will lead participants through selected exhibitors and cybersecurity-related technologies. Another highlight is a live drone hacking demonstration, planned for 24 March 2026 immediately after XPO+. Although still subject to confirmation, this demonstration provides an impressive look at how quickly and effectively unprotected systems can be compromised.