Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Annual cybersecurity conference hosted by the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, bridging academic research and industry practice.
- 2026 theme focuses on cyber resilience, regulatory frameworks and digital sovereignty.
- Keynote addresses cybersecurity challenges in industrial automation and control systems.
- Designed for IT security professionals, researchers, students and industry representatives.
About IT-SECX 2026
IT-SECX (IT Security Community Exchange) is an annual specialist conference organised by the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. The event brings together researchers, industry professionals and practitioners for knowledge transfer and networking on current IT security topics. The 2026 edition takes place at the St. Pölten campus and features keynotes, expert talks and an exhibition area.
Cyber Resilience, Regulation and Sovereignty
The 2026 conference theme reflects three interconnected priorities shaping the cybersecurity landscape. Cyber resilience addresses the ability of organisations to withstand, adapt to and recover from cyber incidents. Regulatory compliance has become increasingly complex as governments introduce new frameworks governing data protection, critical infrastructure and supply chain security. Digital sovereignty concerns the capacity of organisations and nations to maintain control over their digital assets, infrastructure and data without undue dependence on external parties.
These themes are particularly relevant for organisations operating critical infrastructure or navigating evolving European regulatory requirements.
Industrial Control Systems Security
The keynote presentation addresses current developments and challenges in cybersecurity within industrial automation and control systems. This focus recognises the growing convergence of operational technology and information technology environments, where traditional IT security approaches must be adapted for systems controlling physical processes in manufacturing, energy and utilities sectors.
Who Should Attend
IT-SECX targets a diverse audience spanning academia and industry. The conference is suited to:
- IT security professionals seeking updates on resilience strategies and regulatory developments
- Researchers and academic staff working in cybersecurity
- Students in IT and security related fields
- Industry representatives interested in collaboration between research institutions and commercial organisations
The conference positions itself as a bridge between research and practice, offering attendees exposure to both academic findings and real world implementation challenges in IT security.