Program - Autumn ITAPA 2025
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
The new decree on security measures brings fundamental changes to the practices of entities subject to cybersecurity legislation. The discussion will focus on how the decree is reflected in real-world processes, what new obligations it introduces, and how it changes the application of rules in individual sectors. It will also address the transposition of the NIS2 Directive in the CEE region, the details of the changes presented by the National Security Authority, and the legal principle of "lex specialis derogat legi generali" in the context of sectoral decrees. The aim is to show not only the theoretical framework, but also the specific challenges and solutions that organizations encounter in practical application.
Moderator: Ivan Makatura
Štefan Pilár , Attorney
Marcel Zanechal , SLOVAK TELEKOM
Jaroslav Ďurovka , National Cyber Security Center
To effectively defend your organization, you must first understand how an attacker thinks. MITRE ATT&CK for Enterprise is a globally recognized framework that describes attacker behavior in all phases of an attack. It allows you to map real techniques, identify weaknesses in detection, prioritize defensive investments, and build a strategy based on real threats - not hypotheses.
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Cybersecurity is evolving dynamically, and new technological trends are fundamentally changing the way critical infrastructure and organizations are protected. The focus is primarily on automation and artificial intelligence in threat detection, the development of cloud security, zero trust, and resilience to sophisticated attacks. The discussion will provide an overview of key innovations that are shaping the future of security strategies.
Moderuje: Pavol Dovičovič
PARTNER OF THE PANEL IS COMPANY FORCEPOINT

Traditional approaches to risk analysis based on numbers and probabilities are no longer sufficient in times of complex threats and dynamic changes. The new doctrine shifts the emphasis to the qualitative dimension, which allows for a better understanding of contexts, identification of systemic weaknesses, and prediction of impacts that cannot be precisely quantified. This represents a fundamental shift in the professional community's thinking—from a rigid computational framework to a flexible and contextual assessment approach. Such an approach fosters interdisciplinary dialogue, facilitates faster adaptation, and enables more effective strategic decision-making. Are we ready to embrace this paradigm shift and start looking at risks in a whole new way?
Moderator: Ivan Makatura
Anton Horváth , Expert
Aleš Špidla , Center for Information Competence Development, CEVRO University
Marek Zeman , Cyber Security Competence and Certification Center, CISO Club
The panel discussion will focus on the future of secure communication in the era of quantum computers. Today's encryption algorithms, which protect electronic signatures, codes, and confidential information, are designed with the assumption of the limited computing power of classical computers. However, quantum computers can dramatically speed up the factorization of large numbers and the solution of discrete logarithms. QC thus paves the way for breaking currently commonly used cryptographic mechanisms. Participants will focus on the resilience of cryptographic algorithms for electronic signatures, also in the context of combining the capabilities of artificial intelligence with the possibilities of quantum computers. The discussion will therefore raise the question of how to ensure the protection of personal data and the integrity of communication in an environment where traditional cryptographic schemes are no longer reliable. The aim is to provide an overview of global trends, the standardization process, and the challenges of practical implementation of post-quantum algorithms, and to demonstrate the need to combine mathematical innovation, technological readiness, strategic decisions, and research and development funding. The post-quantum cryptography strategy in Slovakia will be a key part of the panel, which aims to show that cryptography is entering a new phase and that Slovakia must maintain security, trust, and anonymity in the digital world even in the era of quantum computers.
Anton Jelenčiak , Ministry of Investment, Regional Development and Informatics of the Slovak Republic
Matej Týč , Red Hat
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Marián Hamada , Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic
Tomáš Kelemen , FORTINET
Michal Rybár , Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic
Milan Ráchela , Private Secondary Vocational School of Automotive Engineering Dual Academy
Facilitator: Miroslav Havelka
A space for open discussions at the table – no podiums or formal speeches. A small group, direct questions, and practical experience. Here you can raise objections, ask questions, and seek specific solutions. Each discussion lasts approximately 30 minutes. Capacity is limited to ~20 participants, so we recommend registering in advance.
Incidents involving key suppliers are currently among the most serious yet underestimated threats to organizations' operations. The discussion will offer a detailed, factual analysis of specific incidents, unburdened by unresolved facts, in which the compromise or failure of a third-party-operated system can shut down a customer's essential services within hours. We will focus on fundamental weaknesses in supplier relationship management, architectural dependencies that become single points of failure during attacks, and risks that remain overlooked in practice, even in mature organizations. No marketing, no euphemisms – just practical insights from analyzing real-world incidents that can bring an entire business to a halt.
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Facilitator: Miroslav Havelka
A space for open discussions at the table – no podiums or formal speeches. A small group, direct questions, and practical experience. Here you can raise objections, ask questions, and seek specific solutions. Each discussion lasts approximately 30 minutes. Capacity is limited to ~20 participants, so we recommend registering in advance.
14:45 - 15:15 Private Cybersec Hub: Initial Asessment of Business Interest
The city of Bratislava is preparing an economic development plan in which cybersecurity plays an important role, including in connection with areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and dual-use technologies. In this context, the city wants to examine whether companies are interested in creating a privately funded research and innovation hub that emerges from the bottom up to meet market needs. The city's role is to facilitate coordination and support the conditions for its eventual formation, while, at a later stage, the hub could - similar to the AI institute KInIT - also partially use public resources. The mini-session will serve as an introductory discussion, during which the city will present its intention and open a space for an exchange of views to identify which companies are interested in continuing to develop the initiative.
Speaker: Iva Kleinová, City of Bratislava and Bloomberg Associates
Moderator: Ivan Makatura
Martin Fábry , ACCURA
Róbert Mramúch , Manager of the Security and Crisis Management Department
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Today's cyber threats are faster, wiser, and more unpredictable than ever before. The likelihood of becoming a victim is high -it's not a question of if, but when. Fortunately, even if an attack cannot be avoided entirely, we can prepare for it so that it does not cause a catastrophe. The presentation will demonstrate how to leverage real-life experiences and best practices to develop a resilient strategy that safeguards your data, systems, and reputation. Because preparedness is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Ondrej Žilinec , ARICOMA
Moderator: Ivan Makatura
Martin Hrachala , Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic
Milan Pikula , SK-CERT
The Slovak Data Protection Authority has announced a comprehensive legislative reform that will fundamentally change the privacy protection framework in Slovakia. The current Act No. 18/2018 Coll. will be repealed in its entirety and replaced by two new pieces of legislation. The discussion will provide insight into the expected changes, their impact on practice, and the preparedness of organizations for the latest personal data protection regime.
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
The one-on-one interview will focus on the new challenges and opportunities that the digital space brings to international relations, security policy, and the protection of national interests. At a time when cyber attacks transcend national borders, there is a need for coordination, negotiation, and trust-building between governments, international organizations, technology companies, and civil society. The discussion will raise questions about how Slovakia is engaging its capacities in European and global initiatives, what role diplomatic missions play in communicating cyber threats, and how partnerships with the technology sector can be created to promote the values of democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens.
Moderator: Klára Jelínková
Cyber operations have become an integral part of modern conflicts. Military structures and alliance partners face attacks that target not only critical infrastructure but also communication networks, weapon systems, and logistics chains. The discussion will focus on questions such as how the nature of military operations is changing as a result of cyberspace, where military and civilian cybersecurity meet, and where cooperation is needed, what technological solutions can bring advantages in cyberspace, and how military experience can be transferred to the protection of the civilian environment and vice versa. The aim is to initiate a professional debate among military leaders, technology companies, and the civilian sector on how to effectively secure cyberspace at a time of growing threats from hybrid conflicts.
Moderator: Michal Havran
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Monika Masariková , Security Expert
Martin Sklenár , Former Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic
Tomáš Vobruba , Check Point






