Pandemic Accelerates Digitalization, Increasing Focus on Cybersecurity
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated digitalization, highlighting the critical need for robust cybersecurity. Giesecke+Devrient and secunet AG leaders discussed the implications for secure digital infrastructures.
Munich, Germany – The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly shifted much of work and communication into the digital realm, underscoring the paramount importance of network security and communication infrastructures. This acceleration of digitalization across all sectors has also led to a swift increase in both the scale and sophistication of cyber threats.
Ralf Wintergerst, Group CEO of Giesecke+Devrient, and Axel Deininger, CEO of secunet AG, discussed these recent developments in a livestream. The central theme was the accelerated digitalization driven by the pandemic, which is creating new digital solutions while simultaneously increasing pressure on digital infrastructures. Both private users and businesses are facing a new quality and quantity of cyber threats.
Reliable digital infrastructures are essential for the functioning of a networked world, enabling everything from remote work to coordination in politics and administration. "The dangers in the digital space have increased due to the Corona crisis," stated Wintergerst. He noted a significant rise in cyberattacks, such as malicious spam emails or attempted credential theft targeting cloud service providers.
Axel Deininger emphasized the need to leverage the pandemic's impact to view cybersecurity as an innovation driver. "Cybersecurity is the decisive success factor for continued digitalization," Deininger said, urging companies and authorities to invest in securing their systems to maintain digital sovereignty and take necessary steps for a secure digital future.