In 2023, Fribourg will further establish itself as a national hub for digital mutation and cybersecurity. In a broad thematic format – including cybersecurity, which has become a brand of the Zähringerstadt – the digiVolution Foundation will realize the new Swiss CyberHub (CHub), an event of national importance, wich will be a free access venue and will include exhibitions and a conference as well as numerous novelties. CHub will be organized by the company dV-Hub Sàrl, founded by digiVolution, as the organizing entity and will take place on October 12 and 13, 2023, at the Forum Fribourg.
The digiVolution leaders are convinced that an event like the one planned with the Swiss CyberHub is urgently needed to strengthen and close the ranks between Switzerland’s cybersecurity players. For Gérald Vernez, director of dV-Hub and president of digiVolution, and his experienced founding team, “it is clear that the Swiss CyberHub will be thematically broad and established as a national platform where all key players from the federal government, cantons, municipalities, companies, education and research will work together. “
Create awareness
CHub 2023 in Freiburg is intended to be accessible to all visitors, with free admission and a range of suitable content to enable the broadest possible discussion. Therefore, the thematic areas set for 2023 for both the exhibition and the conference, as well as the accompanying activities, will be expanded to include all challenges of the digital mutation. The presence of the Swiss CyberHub will also be expanded as a long-term and sustainable project throughout the year: In addition to the main event in October, “satellite events” are planned in all language regions of Switzerland.
CHub 2023 invites the actors of digital mutation in Switzerland to offer them a privileged and neutral place of exchange, debate and discovery, as a hub where the problems are highlighted and solutions are offered. “In particular, we expect politicians, large and small companies, experts, researchers and the general public who want to learn how to promote, among other things, cybersecurity at national and international level,” explains Gérald Vernez. Creating awareness of global digital risks is a primary focus of the Swiss CyberHub. “We want our visitors to go home with a better knowledge!”.
The overall theme of the October 2023 edition is “A world in crisis”, with the focus for the conferences being “Digitalization in times of disruption and uncertainty”. Among other things, “DeepThreat” from the Darkweb, as well as the handling of data and personal identity in cyberspace are set as focal points. In addition, there are developments of global and disruptive proportions, such as the impact of quantum computing on security. A hackathon is intended to create innovative and motivating ideas and projects that will help put Switzerland on the path of anticipation.
Partnership with digital Africa
In order to achieve a year-round presence, various own events or participation in partner events are planned in addition to the main event in the fall. In particular, the partnership as co-organizer with the “Assises de la Transformation Digitale en Afrique” (ATDA), which will take place in mid-December at the International Conference Center in Geneva, has already been established. The goal of ATDA 2022 – where digiVolution board member Mrs. Jeannie Cointre, is part of the committee – which is also supported by the President of the State Council of the Canton of Geneva, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, as well as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the non-governmental organizations “Hackers Without Borders” and the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services (CCIG), is to promote and strengthen multilateralism and a “New Deal” thanks to digitalization.
dV-Hub GmbH as organizer
To economically differentiate the Swiss CyberHub from the non-profit foundation digiVolution, the dV-Hub GmbH was founded as CHub organizer and economically responsible institution, among other things. It focuses on the values of neutrality, trust, sovereignty, resilience, anticipation and sustainability. The team is composed of people who have been dealing with cyber and digital mutation issues for years. The goal of the company, which also includes other projects of the digiVolution foundation, is a secure and strong Switzerland in the face of the challenges of digital transformation and a successful digital industry. “With the Swiss CyberHub, we are helping to ensure that providers in the cyber space create the right conditions to be successful with their customers and to attract new customers,” emphasizes dV Hub Director Gérald Vernez.