[07.05.2026] MERIT Hybrid International Industry Engagement Workshop on Cybersecurity. Join us!

7 May 2026 | Hybrid Event (Trento, Italy & Online)

On 7 May 2026, the MERIT project will organise the International Industry Engagement Workshop on Cybersecurity, held in a hybrid format allowing participants to attend in person in Trento, Italy, or online.

Taking place in the context of the MERIT General Assembly, the workshop will bring together representatives from industry, academia, research organisations, and innovation ecosystems to exchange perspectives on current cybersecurity challenges, technological developments, and the skills required to support Europe’s digital resilience.

The event aims to strengthen dialogue between higher education institutions and industry, providing a platform for experts to share practical insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore opportunities for collaboration in cybersecurity education, research, and innovation.

Through presentations and discussions, participants will gain a better understanding of industry expectations, technological advancements, and workforce needs in cybersecurity, contributing to the alignment of academic training with the evolving demands of the digital economy.

Workshop Objectives

The International Industry Engagement Workshop aims to:

• strengthen collaboration between industry and higher education institutions
• explore current cybersecurity challenges and emerging threats
• showcase innovative cybersecurity technologies and solutions
• identify key skills required by the cybersecurity workforce
• encourage cross-sector collaboration in research, education, and innovation

Agenda

14:00 – 14:10 (CET) || Welcome and Introduction

• Opening remarks
• Introduction to the MERIT project and workshop objectives
• Presentations on innovative cybersecurity solutions and technologies
• Overview of the session format 

Speaker: FBK / Digital Innovation Zone

14:10 – 14:30 (CET) || Building Trustworthy AI in Industry: Beyond

Traditional Cybersecurity 

Keynote Speaker: Matteo Meucci | Synapsed – Building Trustworthy AI in Industry: Beyond Traditional Cybersecurity 

• Secure and trustworthy AI across the software development lifecycle
• Practical steps for building and assessing reliable AI systems
• Real risks in AI-assisted development and how to address them
• Discussion on cybersecurity skills and workforce development
• How OWASP guidelines can support companies in developing more secure AI systems

14:30 – 15:20 (CET) || Industry Presentations: Cybersecurity in Practice

Short presentations from companies sharing practical experiences and technological solutions.

14:30 – 14:45 (CET) || Tudor Damian (Co-founder Cybersecurity, AI & Cloud Advisor @ D3 Cyber) – Securing Your Company’s Future: Cybersecurity Skills and Compliance in a Changing EU Landscape

• Key cybersecurity skills needed to implement and maintain compliance with EU legislation
• Practical approaches for SMEs to apply requirements (DORA, NIS2, CRA, AI Act) 
• Moving beyond checklist compliance toward real cybersecurity capability  
• Aligning compliance with future cybersecurity challenges 

14:45 – 15:00 (CET) || Marian Călborean (Founder @ OPTI Software) – Safe AI and Business Guardrails: Hybrid Architecture Combining On-prem with Cloud for Data Privacy 

• Practical hybrid architecture for safe AI adoption  
• Privacy-first design and data protection strategies  
• Controlling data flow between internal systems and AI  
• Real-world examples of resilient AI deployment 

15:00 – 15:15 (CET) || Vladimir Chiritescu (Systems Engineer @ Veeam Software) – Next generation of Cyber Defense: Protecting Data in an AI World

• Data resilience and protection strategies  
• AI in modern cyber defense  
• Preparing for evolving cyber threats  
• Strengthening organizational cybersecurity readiness 

15:15 – 15:35 (CET) || Discussion: Skills and Workforce Needs in Cybersecurity

Interactive discussion between industry and academia on: 

• cybersecurity skills gaps 
• expectations from graduates 
• collaboration opportunities between companies and universities 

Moderator: Umberto Morelli (FBK) 

15:35 – 15:50 (CET) || Coffee break 

15:50 – 16:10 (CET) || Open Exchange and Networking 

Participants are invited to share insights, questions, and collaboration ideas. 

16:10 – 16:15 (CET) || Closing Remarks 

Key takeaways and next steps.

Registration

Participation in the workshop is free of charge, but registration is required for both in-person and online attendees. To secure your place, please register using the following link:

Registration: AVAILABLE HERE

Participants who register will receive further information regarding access to the online platform, event logistics, and the final agenda as soon as they are available.

About the MERIT Project

The MERIT project aims to strengthen advanced digital skills in key deep-tech domains, including Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Through collaboration between universities, research centres, and industry partners across Europe, MERIT supports the development of innovative educational programmes and engagement activities that prepare professionals for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.