The National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE will showcase ready-to-use security solutions and practice-oriented research at it-sa 2025 in Nuremberg, strengthening IT security for business, government, and society. Whether it’s rapid analysis of network data, smart glasses with built-in facial recognition, realistic cyber emergency exercises, or IT forensics tools for detecting misinformation – from October 7–9, visitors can learn about current projects at the ATHENE booth in Hall 6-416 and experience firsthand how cybersecurity research works in practice. More information on scheduling appointments can be found at: https://www.athenecenter.de/it-sa-2025 .
Smart glasses with real-time facial recognition
Whether at festivals, sporting events, or border controls – identifying individuals in large, dynamic crowds is a challenge for security staff. A Fraunhofer IGD team at ATHENE is presenting smart glasses with integrated facial recognition that can detect wanted individuals or suspicious behavior in real time and effectively support security personnel – without disrupting the flow of people. At the same time, all data protection requirements are met – a particular challenge in this field of application.
Realistic cyber training – ATHENE Cyber Range
The ATHENE Cyber Range is a virtual training environment where IT teams can experience realistic cyberattacks, test defense strategies, and improve their response capabilities. Based on virtual corporate or SCADA networks, realistic attack scenarios are simulated to strengthen both team and technical skills.
Digital forensics and fake news detection
From recovering deleted data on hard drives to verifying the authenticity of digital images and videos: ATHENE showcases state-of-the-art forensic methods for investigating security incidents and detecting misinformation. Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology SIT will present computer forensic tools and techniques at the booth.
Additional ATHENE research topics at the booth
- Appicaptor: Security and privacy analysis of Android and iOS apps to support corporate and government policies
- Enhanced code scanners: Improved user interfaces for prioritizing and verifying software vulnerabilities
- Digital Hub Cybersecurity: Programs, consulting, and startup presentations for IT security entrepreneurs
An overview of current top-level research at the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE can be found online at: https://www.athenecenter.de/forschung/forschungsbereiche.
In the trade fair forums, ATHENE experts will present their solutions:
The talk “NetCapVis – Visual Analytics for Network Data” introduces an innovative platform for visual analysis of complex network data. Another talk on “Human-in-the-Loop AI and Visualization for Secure Company Networks” demonstrates how human expertise can be combined with artificial intelligence to protect corporate networks more effectively. The talk “The EU Cyber Resilience Act as an Opportunity for Greater Cybersecurity” highlights the practical impact of the new EU regulation and its potential to strengthen digital resilience in Europe.
A highlight of the trade fair will be the award ceremony for the ATHENE Startup Award UP25@it-sa on October 8. In a live pitch, five finalists will present their visions and business ideas to a panel of experts. Immediately following the pitch, the three best cybersecurity startups of 2025 will be announced.