ITAPA OPEN TALKs on Spring ITAPA 2026
Popular discussions on today’s most pressing issues - no clichés, no filters, and featuring people who are actually shaping society.
During the Spring ITAPA 2026 conference, you can take part in OPEN TALK discussions. Each day features a different discussion, exceptional speakers, and experienced moderators.
With this format, we want to make participation open to everyone, which is why admission is free.
All you need to do is register.
The discussions will take place on June 17 - 18, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bratislava.
SECURITY DAY (17.6. 2026)
18:00 - 18:40 Cybersecurity 2026 – Priorities for the Government, Business, and Society
Cybersecurity is becoming one of the key issues affecting the functioning of the state, the economy, and society.
Rising geopolitical tensions, new European regulations, the rapid development of artificial intelligence, and growing dependence on digital services are fundamentally changing the requirements for the resilience of organizations and the country as a whole.
- How prepared is Slovakia for emerging cyber threats?
- Do we have adequate protection for critical infrastructure?
- What impact does AI have on security and trust?
- How can we effectively strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors in cybersecurity?
- Is there a plan to address the shortage of cybersecurity experts?
- And what should Slovakia’s priorities be in building a modern and secure digital state?
Moderator: Pavol Dovičovič
Speakers:
- Martin Hrachala, Ministry of Interior of Slovak Republic (confirmed)
- Ivan Makatura, Cybersecurity Association (confirmed)
- Ladislav Šnapko, Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (confirmed)
REGISTRATION for ITAPA OPEN TALK: Cybersecurity 2026
DIGI DAY (18.6. 2026)
18:10 - 18:40 Modernizing the Country: What to Fund and What to Stop Funding?
Science will help shape the country’s direction, while the government will decide how funding is allocated. Slovakia is facing a decision worth billions of euros.
The new programming period could bring a modern economy, better public services, and stronger regions - or more projects with no visible results. The Slovakia 2040 vision, along with the preparation of the Slovakia Programme, raises a fundamental question: what should be funded to ensure that by 2040, Slovakia is not just a country of plans, but a country of results?
Speakers:
- Tomáš Drucker, The Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic (confirmed)
- Ladislav Šimko, Slovak Government Plenipotentiary for the National and Regional Partnership Plan (confirmed)
- Martin Venhart, Slovak Academy of Sciences (confirmed)
REGISTRATION for ITAPA OPEN TALK: Modernizing the Country
Would you like to attend the entire ITAPA Spring 2026 conference, visit the EXPO zone, or participate in hands-on masterclasses? Check out our program and the topics that interest you.
There are only a few weeks left - the event takes place on June 17–18, 2026.
Check out the program for each day.
