CPT: FTAPI brings politics, business and research together

Under the motto "Connect. Protect. Transform." the Munich-based software company FTAPI successfully concluded its cybersecurity conference CPT 2026. Around 500 decision-makers, including CISOs, managing directors and IT managers from numerous industries, came together at the Allianz Arena in Munich to discuss Europe's digital future.

The event made it clear that cyber security has long since become a key strategic challenge for companies, government institutions and society. The focus was not only on technology, but also on the question of how Europe can secure its digital sovereignty and democratic values in an increasingly digitalized and geopolitically tense world.

Cyber security as a strategic question of survival

The two-day conference offered a comprehensive look at the current challenges of digital transformation. Discussions included the implementation of new European security requirements such as the NIS2 Directive, the further development of the Federal Office for Information Security's cloud security standards and the growing role of AI agents in cyber defense.

The CPT showed that cyber security today goes far beyond technical issues. Rather, the protection of digital infrastructures requires a close exchange between politics, business, science and society.

BSI President warns of growing cyber pressure

The conference kicked off with a keynote speech by Claudia Plattner, President of the BSI. Under the title "Wake-up call - Are we still asleep or are we assessing the situation correctly?", she painted a clear picture of the current threat situation.

Germany and Europe are under constant pressure from cybercrime, state cyber conflicts and geopolitical power interests. The protection of modern societies is therefore directly linked to the ability to defend the digital space.

Plattner emphasized that Europe must build a cyber union in the long term, supported by close cooperation between states, business, science and society.

Discussion about Europe's digital identity

Another focus was on the social dimension of digitalization. In a panel on digital sovereignty, representatives from politics and civil society discussed how Europe can secure its values and ability to act in a world dominated by global tech companies.

Fabian Mehring, Bavaria's Minister of State for Digital Affairs, was also present. He emphasized that cyber security is no longer a technical niche debate, but a central strategic issue for modern democracies.

Digital sovereignty means, above all, freedom of choice: states and companies must be able to decide for themselves whether to use European solutions or international technologies. This requires joint investment in cloud infrastructure, trustworthy AI and cyber resilience at European level.

Cyber security must not remain an isolated island of experts. We need the CPT as a meeting place where DAX board members, ministries and technological thought leaders can find a common language.

Ari Albertini, CEO of FTAPI

Transformation requires courage and leadership

In addition to political and technological topics, the conference also focused on the human factor of transformation. In a much-noticed dialog, journalist Dunja Hayali and entrepreneur Uli Hoeness discussed leadership, courage and decisiveness in times of radical change.

The discussion made it clear that transformation is not achieved through technology alone, but above all through responsible leadership and social dialog.

AI, the brain and future technologies

The keynote speech on the second day of the conference was given by neuroscientist Henning Beck. In his presentation "Brain vs. AI - Who has the upper hand?", he shed light on the limits of artificial intelligence compared to human cognition.

Among other things, he addressed the question of which skills remain particularly important to humans in an increasingly automated world and where AI systems reach their limits.

Practical knowledge in master classes

The program was supplemented by 15 in-depth masterclasses in which experts from research and industry presented concrete solutions. Participants included:

• Fraunhofer IAO
• Fraunhofer AISEC
• Technical University of Munich
• PwC

The content ranged from geopolitical developments and AI security strategies to preparing for future technologies such as post-quantum cryptography.

FTAPI as a driving force for European cyber security

With the CPT, FTAPI is increasingly positioning itself as a platform for exchange between technology companies, politics and business.

CEO Ari Albertini emphasized that cyber security should not remain an isolated world of experts. Events such as the CPT are necessary to bring board members, ministries and technological thought leaders together.

Thomas Haendl, founder of CPT and VP Product Initiatives & Business Development at FTAPI, also sees the conference as an important step towards breaking down silos between IT, management and politics. The aim is to jointly develop strategies for a digitally sovereign Europe.

Continuation next year

Following the successful outcome, FTAPI has already announced the next edition: CPT 2027 will take place again at the Allianz Arena from May 11 to 13, 2027 and will continue the dialog on Europe's digital future.