The thirteenth TeleGroup Infosec conference took place on October 5, 2023, at Jahorina, in the Vučko hotel. Once again, it brought together nearly 200 experts from various industries, serving as a hub for discussions on the latest cyber challenges and solutions.

The conference was launched by Mr. Zlatan Klokić, the Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska. He emphasized rapid expansion of the IT sector and stressed the necessity for a corresponding boost in information security. Klokić highlighted the pivotal role of cybersecurity experts in shaping the future and raised the importance of aligning with EU directives on user data protection in the coming years.

„Drafting of the sustainable development strategy of the Republic of Srpska, covering the period from 2024 to 2030, is underway and, as the umbrella and most important development and strategic document of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, it will pay special attention specifically to digitization and preparation for the future with artificial intelligence, while taking into account the security and protection of information as well as critical infrastructure protection. ‘In view of all that, the conference could not have been organized at a better time“, noted Klokić.

Edin Rizvanbegović from Check Point, the keynote speaker, delivered an inspiring session on the dynamics of cybersecurity trends. He focused on the challenges of digital transformation and offered recommendations for organizations to effectively tackle them.

Tech workshops introduced participants to cutting-edge technologies, tools, and solutions, highlighting innovations and best practices for information systems security. Emir Mehanović (Exclusive Networks) shared insights on educating employees to detect and protect against cyberattacks. Dragan Ilić (VMware) presented the VMware NSX platform for advanced threat protection, while Primož Bedrač (TeleGroup) discussed the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in threat detection, vulnerability identification, data tracking, and user profiling.

Representatives from partner companies showcased their solutions and their impact on the development of cybersecurity in the Balkans. Ran Levy (Cognyte) explained how AI technologies enhance dark web intelligence, and Edin Muharemović (Exclusive Networks) highlighted the advantages of the “pay as you grow” model offered by Trend Micro. Adnan Švraka (Fortinet) delved into SD-WAN technology, while Ivan Štrbac (Check Point) introduced Horizon, a comprehensive security operations package focused on prevention.

Lejla Tulić Ivojević from Woman4Cyber BiH organization and Diana Gligorijević, co-founder of TeleGroup, left a significant impression during their Fireside chat. They emphasized not only their professional achievements but also the importance of fostering equality and gender parity in sectors traditionally dominated by men. They concurred that creating a more inclusive tech ecosystem is crucial for promoting innovation and embracing diversity.

The theme of this year’s panel discussion was “The Impact of Legal Frameworks on Business Digitalization in the Western Balkans.” Speakers Sanja Kekić (Woman4Cyber Serbia), Jovo Marković (Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Srpska), and Ivan Mladenović (Check Point Software) underscored the importance of collaboration between the cybersecurity sector and the business sector to ensure robust defense 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 their support, the conference once again served as a platform for the exchange of valuable ideas, advice, and the latest trends in information security.

TeleGroup initiated the first Infosec conference in 2011 in Bosnia and Herzegovina and expanded to Serbia in 2013. The company’s vision is to establish a Infosec conference in every country where it operates, focusing on the most current information security topics. Together with global experts, Infosec conferences aim to promote solutions that can help businesses and government institutions protect their information resources.