Navigating the Digital Maze: Challenges, Trends, and Solutions at the TeleGroup Infosec 2023 Conference.

The 13th TeleGroup InfoSec Conference was held on October 5, 2023, at Jahorina, in Hotel Vučko, and once again served as a hub for dialogue on the latest cyber challenges and solutions for nearly 200 professionals from various industries.

The conference was officially opened by Zlatan Klokić, Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation of Republika Srpska, who emphasized the importance of the rapid development of the IT sector and the need for equally swift progress in information security. Klokić highlighted that cybersecurity experts are key to identifying the next steps for advancing security to a higher level. For this reason, the Ministry is working on aligning with all EU directives regarding user data protection in the upcoming period.

"The strategy for the sustainable development of Republika Srpska for the period 2024-2030 is already underway. Special attention will be paid to digitalization and preparing for the future with artificial intelligence, considering information security, data protection, and critical infrastructure security. In light of all this, the conference could not have been held at a better time," Klokić said.

Edin Rizvanbegović from Check Point, a keynote speaker, delivered an inspiring lecture on the dynamics of cybersecurity trends, focusing on the challenges posed by digital transformation and providing recommendations for organizations to address them.

During the technological workshops, participants were introduced to and demonstrated technologies, tools, and solutions, emphasizing innovations and best practices for protecting information systems. Emir Mehanović (Exclusive Networks) showcased how to train employees to detect and protect themselves against attacks. Dragan Ilić (VMware) presented the VMware NSX platform for advanced threat protection, while Primož Bedrač (TeleGroup) discussed artificial intelligence and machine learning for detecting threats and vulnerabilities, monitoring data, and identifying attacks.

Representatives of other partner companies showcased their latest solutions and how they influence the development of cybersecurity in the Balkans. Ran Levy from Cognyte explained how AI technologies are used to enhance dark web intelligence. Edin Muharemović (Exclusive Networks) highlighted the benefits of Trend Micro’s "pay as you grow" model. Adnan Švraka (Fortinet) introduced SD-WAN technology, while Ivan Štrbac (Check Point) presented Horizon, the first package of solutions and services for security operations focused on prevention.

On the importance of including women in the industry, Lejla Tulić Ivojević from the Woman4Cyber BiH organization and Diana Gligorijević, one of the founders of TeleGroup, left a strong impression during their Fireside Chat. They highlighted not only their professional achievements but also the importance of fostering equality and gender balance in traditionally male-dominated sectors. They agreed that creating a more inclusive tech ecosystem is crucial to encouraging innovation and embracing diversity.

"The impact of legal frameworks on business digitalization in the Western Balkans" was the topic of this year's panel discussion, featuring Sanja Kekić (Woman4Cyber Serbia), Jovo Marković (Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska), and Ivan Mladenović (Check Point Software). The panel aimed to underline the importance of collaboration between the cybersecurity and business sectors to ensure strong defenses against growing threats.

The sponsors and partners of this year's InfoSec conference included Check Point, Trend Micro, Cognyte, Exclusive Networks, VMware, Women4Cyber, Fortinet, Ingram Micro, Cohesity, and A&S Adria Magazine. Thanks to them, the conference once again served as a platform for exchanging useful ideas, advice, and the latest trends in information security.

TeleGroup initiated the first InfoSec conference in 2011 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia in 2013. The company’s vision is to establish a conference in all the countries where it operates, focusing annually on the most relevant topics in information security and, together with global names, proposing solutions that will help businesses and government institutions protect their overall information resources.