Cyber Security Conference 2025: Schwarz Digits launches app for end customers and publishes third Cyber Security Report

• Geopolitical upheavals and their implications for the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe are the focus of this year's Cyber Security Conference by Schwarz Digits – with high-ranking representatives from politics, the public sector, intelligence services and business.
• As part of the conference, Schwarz Digits is publishing the Cyber Security Report for the third year in a row. Based on a representative survey, the report shows the perspective of German companies on cyber security, hybrid threats to critical infrastructures from the seabed to outer space and the dangers of sextortion.
• Schwarz Digits presents the omniac app for consumers, which continuously monitors whether personal data is affected by data leaks and cyber attacks – from crypto wallets and passwords to driver's licenses.

Neckarsulm, March 13, 2025 – Due to geopolitical tensions and technological advances, competition and the security situation in the digital world have intensified rapidly. The Cyber Security Conference by Schwarz Digits, which will take place on March 12 and 13 in Heilbronn, will focus on the associated challenges.

“The cyber threat situation is no longer abstract, but an acute danger to our security and sovereignty”, explains Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport. “Europe is also increasingly on its own when it comes to cyber issues and must act decisively now. It is time for us to free ourselves from foreign dependencies and instead promote and support our own European solutions around cyber security. This is the only way we can maintain our digital sovereignty and effectively protect our citizens and companies.”

“Germany and Europe must be able to guarantee the use and effective protection of critical systems under the control of national and European players”, explained Claudia Plattner, President of the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) at the conference. “However, making digital products and services safe to use cannot be synonymous with only using products and services 'made in Germany' or 'made in Europe'. It is also important to technically harden and design existing products and services in such a way that their secure, controlled use is possible under all circumstances.”

Carsten Meywirth, Head of the Cybercrime Department at the Federal Criminal Police Office, explained in his keynote speech: “Cyber threats don't just affect companies or authorities. The ubiquitous digitalization of private life is leading to increasingly perfidious fraud and blackmail scams that can cause a great deal of damage, both materially and emotionally. It is therefore also essential for private individuals to protect themselves against data theft, for example.”

EuropaGeopolitical developments show urgency for a digitally sovereign Europe

In addition to cyber security, the focus is on digital sovereignty. “Other countries are redefining the rules of the game in international relations”, says Christian Müller, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits. “They no longer differentiate between private and state interests; individual profit seems more important to them than international partnerships.”

Rolf Schumann, Co-CEO of Schwarz Digits, adds: “The developments on the international stage make it clear that we urgently need to strengthen German and European solutions, otherwise we will become a data colony of other countries.” 

Comprehensive picture of the situation and recommendations for action: The Cyber Security Report 2025

The Cyber Security Report from Schwarz Digits shows the challenges facing Germany and Europe around cyber security and digital sovereignty. It summarizes the current situation in a comprehensible way based on specially conducted studies and provides recommendations for action. Around six billion euros were spent on cyber security solutions in 2024. Despite this considerable investment, the losses are almost thirty times higher at 179 billion euros. Large companies are now well positioned, while small and medium-sized companies are underinvested. They also feel left alone by the authorities in the context of NIS2. They also find it difficult to control their supply chain risks. It is also clear that decision-makers underestimate the impact of hybrid warfare.

The threat situation for private individuals is also intensifying. The rise in sextortion, a form of digital blackmail that combines psychological manipulation with modern technologies, is particularly alarming. Offenders specifically use social networks, online games and dating platforms to obtain intimate recordings. They use this real or fake material to force victims to pay money or perform sexual acts, for example. This has serious psychological consequences, including suicide. In 2023, over 26,700 cases of sextortion were reported worldwide, an increase of 150% compared to the previous year. All age groups are affected, and decision-makers in companies are also put under pressure with sextortion. 

High-quality protection of digital identities throughout Europe

The BSI already saw identity theft as the biggest threat to society in 2023. In January 2025 alone, almost four billion data records were affected by thousands of data leaks. With stolen data such as passwords, driving licenses, postal addresses or logins, criminals can access private individuals' accounts, conclude contracts in their name, make purchases, carry out cyberattacks on critical infrastructure or implement extortionate fraud scenarios. Those affected often do not notice when cyber criminals steal data - for example from a hotel chain where they booked a vacation years ago. If the stolen data also includes passwords that are used repeatedly, this can have serious consequences. Those affected suffer the consequences for years.

Schwarz Digits presented the omniac app at the conference. The service checks more data around the clock for data leaks than any other provider. If data appears on the internet, deep web or darknet, users immediately receive a warning message. Clear recommendations for action are provided to prevent misuse. User data is encrypted and compared with encrypted data from verified data leaks. "Everyone wants to lead a self-determined digital life without worrying about misuse of their own data," emphasizes Rolf Schumann. "That's why we need to empower people across Europe without technical understanding to protect their security and retain sovereignty over their data. Omniac enables just that."