CYREN ZH

Cyber Lunch
2024-11-28 12:00 - 13:00 (Europe/Zurich)
🔒 Unlocking Insights: Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Lunch Talks Series 🔒

This event is online, no need to register!

Join on Zoom

Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have received much attention in recent years. This talk by Jan von der Assen will introduce threat modeling and discuss how it can be applied to AI-based systems. In addition, we will summarize what we learned from securing real-world AI systems.

Join our quarterly lunch series on Zoom where cybersecurity researchers converge to share, discuss, and refine their work. Explore interdisciplinary perspectives, present your projects, and foster connections in this collaborative environment. Elevate your understanding and contribute to shaping the future of cybersecurity.

Hack the Box Meet Up @CYREN ZH
2025-01-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re happy to host some of the Hack the Box Meet Ups Zurich!

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Read more, follow the group and register for the events here: https://www.meetup.com/hack-the-box-meetup-zurich-ch/events/305179152/

Anyone who is interested in cybersecurity and penetration testing should join this group. The purpose of the meet up is to meet other infosec enthusiasts, discuss, exchange knowledge regarding cybersecurity, hack machines from Hack The Box dedicated to this gathering and enjoy.

OSINT Switzerland: Workshop
2025-01-31 14:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re happy to host OSINT Switzerland for this workshop! Read what they say about this event:

🕵🏻 In our ongoing mission to share knowledge and foster growth within the community, we’re excited to offer a new learning opportunity.🎯 What’s Happening: A practical, hands-on workshop diving into the world of Open Source Intelligence.👥 Who’s It For: Members of OSINT Switzerland and students of CYREN ZH eager to sharpen their investigative and analytical skills.📅 Date / Location: January 31st, 2025 – 14:00 to 17:00 at Rämistrasse 69, 8001 Zürich & Streamed Online👉 Register now if you want to join in person (no registration needed for the streamed event) and find more details here: https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/osint-workshop/

OSINT Playdate #1
2025-03-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re introducing a series of OSINT playdates throughout the year. We will apply what we’ve learned and solve some puzzles together. The exercises will focus on solving, exchanging different approaches, techniques, and best practices, and of course, to meet likeminded OSINTers.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The first playdate will be on the 21st of March 2025, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website: https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/playdate-21-03/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

🔒 Unlocking Insights 2025: Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Lunch Talks Series 🔒
2025-03-27 12:00 - 13:00
At this cybersecurity lunch, Dr. Benjamin Ambuehl will report from his experience in practical research with Swiss farmers and their most pressing cybersecurity challenges.

Extensive digitalisation does not stop at agriculture – and with it comes the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack which can have potentially lethal consequences for livestock. The causes of successful cyberattacks are rarely of a purely technical nature. In the majority of cases, victims’ behaviour plays a crucial role (e.g. not employing protective measures or clicking on links and opening attachments). In this talk, Dr. Benjamin Ambuehl presents exploratory research that aimed to identify weaknesses and potential mitigation options to improve cybersecurity practices among Swiss farmers.

Join our quarterly lunch series where cybersecurity researchers converge to share, discuss, and refine their work. Explore interdisciplinary perspectives, present your projects, and foster connections in this collaborative environment. Elevate your understanding and contribute to shaping the future of cybersecurity.

If you wish to contribute and present your own research please reach out to Thierry Schaltegger.

Beyond Compliance: Responsible Technology Use as a Competitive Advantage in Private Security and Beyond
2025-04-09 16:30 - 18:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
In today’s digital landscape, private security companies face unprecedented challenges balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations and human rights standards. This presentation introduces a comprehensive toolkit for responsible technology use that transforms potential risks into business opportunities.

Originally developed for the private security sector but broadly applicable across industries, our approach provides practical implementation strategies tailored to organizations of all sizes. Drawing from compelling real-world examples of technology failures that resulted in significant financial losses and reputational damage, we demonstrate how responsible technology practices not only mitigate risks but create measurable competitive advantages. Attendees will gain actionable insights into addressing key challenges including data protection, algorithmic bias, surveillance ethics, and emerging technologies while enhancing their market position through increased client trust, regulatory compliance, and operational resilience. Join us to discover how ethical technology implementation can become your organization’s strategic differentiator in an increasingly scrutinized digital environment.

Speaker at the event will be Anne-Marie Buzatu, Executive Director of the ICT4Peace Foundation.

In her role, Anne-Marie Buzatu actively leads and conducts policy research, offers strategic advice to governments and multilateral organizations, and spearheads a variety of capacity-building courses at the intersection of peace, security, and technology, with particular attention to inclusive approaches to digital peacebuilding.Before assuming her current position, Anne-Marie was Deputy Head at the Public-Private Partnerships Division of DCAF in Geneva. There, she was instrumental in developing the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) and its oversight body (ICoCA), establishing human rights-based standards and oversight and accountability for the private security industry. In addition to her expertise in international law and security policy, Anne-Marie has a background in the tech sector, having worked for several years as a web developer and database administrator.

The presentation is followed by a networking aperitif.

🔒 Unlocking Insights 2025: Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Lunch Talks Series 🔒
2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:00
The decision-making of security analysts frequently determines if an organization succumbs to a cyberattack or manages to brace it unscathed. Thierry Schaltegger will share insights from his latest study on the importance of expert intuition in the cyber incident response process. The following questions will be answered:

How are decisions made in the incident response process?

How do procedures and technology support these decisions?

What is the role of intuition in this process?

Join our quarterly lunch series where cybersecurity researchers converge to share, discuss, and refine their work. Explore interdisciplinary perspectives, present your projects, and foster connections in this collaborative environment. Elevate your understanding and contribute to shaping the future of cybersecurity.

If you wish to contribute and present your own research please reach out to Thierry Schaltegger.

Workshop "Mobilisierung von Pensionären: Das fehlende Stück zur Steigerung der digitalen Sicherheit"
2025-06-11 15:30 - 18:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
In der Schweiz gibt es viele Menschen, die die Schwierigkeiten haben, mit den digitalen Risiken umzugehen. Es fehlt ihnen die notwendige Unterstützung, um die damit verbundenen Risiken zu bewältigen.

Wer ist gefährdet?

Seniorinnen und Senioren, die mit gefälschten Support-Anrufen, Liebesbetrug oder Online-Betrug konfrontiert werden.

Junge Menschen, die sich mit Grooming, Sextortion oder fingierten Jobangeboten auseinandersetzen müssen.

Kleinunternehmen, die Ziel von Phishing, Rechnungsbetrug oder CEO-Betrug werden.

Lokale Organisationen, die mit grundlegender Cybersicherheit überfordert sind.

Wer kann helfen?

Die Schweiz verfügt über eine wahre Trumpfkarte: Ihre Pensionäre. Jedes Jahr gehen Tausende von Menschen in den Ruhestand – mit dem Wunsch, sich zu engagieren, aktiv zu bleiben und eine neue Sinnhaftigkeit zu finden. Viele von ihnen engagieren sich bereits freiwillig und bringen dabei viele wertvolle Eigenschaften mit:

Jahrzehntelange Lebenserfahrung aus Bereichen wie Bildung, Wirtschaft, IT, Recht oder Gesundheit.

Sie haben Sozialkompetenzen erlernt wie Empathie, Eigeninitiative sowie Team- und Kommunikationsfähigkeiten

Sie sind motiviert und sorgen sich um das Wohl ihrer Mitmenschen.

Sie haben Zeit, sich sinnvoll für wichtige Anliegen einzusetzen.

Das Beste? Auch Pensionierte profitieren. Freiwilligenarbeit steht im Zusammenhang mit besserer kognitiver Leistungsfähigkeit, höherem mentalen Wohlbefinden und sogar einer längeren Lebensdauer.

Was ist das Ziel des Workhops?

In unserem Workshop wollen wir ergründen, wie freiwilliges Engagement – insbesondere durch Pensionierte – die digitalen Kompetenzen in unseren Gemeinschaften stärken kann, indem wir:

Die benötigten kommunikativen, sozialen und technischen Erfahrungen klären

Erarbeiten, was bei der Einbindung von Pensionierten funktioniert – und was nicht,

Den Bedarf, Herausforderungen und Chancen im Kanton Zürich identifizieren,

Erste Kontakte für zukünftige Kooperationen knüpfen.

Für wen ist dieser Workshop gedacht?

Dieser Workshop möchte von den Erkenntnissen der folgenden Akteure profitieren:

Organisationen, die mit Pensionierten oder Freiwilligen arbeiten,

Expert:innen in Cybersicherheitund Bildung

Pensionierte, die sich engagieren möchten.

Interessierte an digitalem Engagement,

Was werden wir besprechen?

Gérald Vernez (digiVolution) stellt die nationale Initiative CyberPatrouilleur vor und erläutert deren Potenzial für den Kanton Zürich. Dr. Melanie Knieps (CYREN ZH) führt durch den Workshop, in dem wir gemeinsam konkrete Ideen und nächste Schritte erarbeiten, wie Pensionierte zu einer sicheren digitalen Zukunft beitragen können. Wir behandeln dabei folgende Themen

Problem – Warum dieser Workshop?

Gemeinschaften – Was brauchen sie?

Unterstützung – Was kann man tun?

Freiwillige – Wie können Pensionierte helfen?

Fazit – Wie geht es weiter?

Erkundigt mit uns Bedürfnisse, Herausforderungen – und Möglichkeiten. Melde dich unten an!

Digital Sovereignty in a Fragmented World: Power, Control, and the Future of Global Order
2025-06-18 16:30 - 18:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
In this public lecture, Przemyslaw Roguski, assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law, will explain how the digital revolution has reshaped how nations govern, compete, and interact with each other. It has also changed States’ abilities to exercise power – both regulatory and direct – without regard to distance and borders. For instance, the US passed legislation allowing it to compel cloud storage companies to hand over data stored anywhere in the world – irrespective of the citizenship of the data holder. China requires its companies to cooperate with the PLA and intelligence services in the use of any technical equipment, both at home and abroad. And Japan passed legislation allowing its police to remotely “disinfect” or even shut down servers located abroad, without the consent of the owner or the territorial State. What does this mean for us users, businesses, Swiss and Europeans?

This lecture explores the urgent global debate over digital sovereignty: the struggle by states to control data, technologies, and infrastructures within their borders. Drawing from a comparative analysis of Europe, the United States, China, and Russia, we examine how divergent visions of sovereignty are rewriting the rules of international law and geopolitics. From the TikTok ban to cross-border cyber operations, this talk will unpack the clash between democratic values, state control, and corporate power. We will confront critical questions: How do China’s “cyber sovereignty” policies and Russia’s “sovereign internet” model challenge Western ideals of an open internet? Can nations balance security and innovation without sacrificing civil liberties? Is a “Sovereignty 2.0” framework possible in an era of escalating U.S.-China rivalry? And how should small nations navigate their interests in this new digital economy.

Dr. Roguski is an assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law and Principal Investigator at the “Sovereignty 2.0 – ‘digital sovereignty’ in light of public international law” project, which is financed with a grant from the Polish National Science Council (NCN). His research focuses on the law of peacetime cyber operations and different aspects of international law relating to cybersecurity, ICT and internet governance. Dr. Roguski holds law degrees from the University of Mainz (Germany), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and a PhD in international law from Jagiellonian University. He is a Senior Advisor at ICT4Peace Foundation.

Workshop: Sovereignty 2.0: Legal and Strategic Dimensions of Digital Governance
2025-06-19 16:00 - 18:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
This workshop with Przemyslaw Roguski convenes policymakers, legal scholars, technologists, and industry leaders to dissect the multifaceted legal and geopolitical implications of digital sovereignty. The session will provide a structured yet fluid exploration of how Europe, the United States, China, and Russia are redefining state authority in the digital age, with particular emphasis on regulatory frameworks, strategic competition, and emerging governance dilemmas.

The workshop begins by mapping divergent facets of digital sovereignty debate, concentrating on four main points: cross-border offensive cyber operations, extraterritorial jurisdiction, cross-border data flows and technological decoupling. Participants will analyse and discuss policies and legislation of the four big actors addressing these four issues with the view of discerning trends, commonalities and divergences. The outcome of this part of the workshop should be a heightened understanding of the four main approaches: souveraineté à la Européenne (EU), sovereignty through market share (US), multipolar sovereignty (RU) and sovereignty within a “community of shared future” (CN).

Building on this comparative foundation, the workshop will next shifts focus to emergent challenges complicating traditional sovereignty paradigms and probe the compatibility of the divergent approaches in a world of escalating geopolitical tensions. Discussions will focus on matters such as the EU’s Cloud Certification scheme and its impact on cross-border data flows, or the feasibility of technological decoupling—evident in U.S. semiconductor export controls and China’s retaliatory AI investment surges—through the lens of international law and norms.

The workshop culminates in a forward-looking debate on Sovereignty 2.0 – a reconceptualization of state power that accounts for current and future disruptive digital technologies, and lessons which can and must be learned and implemented by States and companies wishing to navigate the new geopolitical reality, while remaining rooted in the rules-based international order.

Dr. Roguski is an assistant professor at the Jagiellonian University Chair for Public International Law and Principal Investigator at the “Sovereignty 2.0 – ‘digital sovereignty’ in light of public international law” project, which is financed with a grant from the Polish National Science Council (NCN). His research focuses on the law of peacetime cyber operations and different aspects of international law relating to cybersecurity, ICT and internet governance. Dr. Roguski holds law degrees from the University of Mainz (Germany), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland) and a PhD in international law from Jagiellonian University. He is a Senior Advisor at ICT4Peace Foundation.

OSINT Playdate #2
2025-07-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re introducing a series of OSINT playdates throughout the year. We will apply what we’ve learned and solve some puzzles together. The exercises will focus on solving, exchanging different approaches, techniques, and best practices, and of course, to meet likeminded OSINTers.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The second playdate will be on the 4. July 2025, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

Hack the Box Meet Up Zurich @CYREN ZH
2025-07-10 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-10-23 18:00 - 22:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re happy to host some of the Hack the Box Meet Ups Zurich! Read more, follow the group and register for the events here: https://www.meetup.com/hack-the-box-meetup-zurich-ch

Anyone who is interested in cybersecurity and penetration testing should join this group. The purpose of the meet up is to meet other infosec enthusiasts, discuss, exchange knowledge regarding cybersecurity, hack machines from Hack The Box dedicated to this gathering and enjoy.

OSINT Playdate #3
2025-10-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re introducing a series of OSINT playdates throughout the year. We will apply what we’ve learned and solve some puzzles together. The exercises will focus on solving, exchanging different approaches, techniques, and best practices, and of course, to meet likeminded OSINTers.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The second playdate will be on the 24. October 2025, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

🔒 Unlocking Insights 2025: Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Lunch Talks Series 🔒
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00
This is an online event, no need to register!

At this cybersecurity talk on Zoom, Karim Khamaisi will share how people can stay connected when the mobile network fails. He will present a practical setup that combines a small radio network with an easy-to-use phone app, so neighbours and volunteers can coordinate even without an Internet connection.

In a crisis, you still need to message family, ask for help, and trust what you read. Field tests in Zürich showed working connections up to about 1.2 km, with 92% of messages delivered successfully. The app supports peer-to-peer messaging, simple identity checks, and community moderation.

The paper:https://arxiv.org/pdf/2509.22568

🚀 Join our quarterly lunch series where cybersecurity researchers converge to share, discuss, and refine their work. Explore interdisciplinary perspectives, present your projects, and foster connections in this collaborative environment. Elevate your understanding and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

Join us on Zoom: https://uzh.zoom.us/j/62539031345?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting-ID: 625 3903 1345Kenncode: 184540

The EU AI Act – Opportunities, Challenges and Perspectives
2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Rämistrasse 59, 8001 Zürich, Raum: RAA-G-01 (kleine Aula), Rämistrasse 59, Zürich, 8001
Is the EU AI Act a regulatory burden or a competitive advantage for Europe? And how does it affect Switzerland?

The EU AI Act is the world’s first comprehensive law on artificial intelligence — a bold attempt to turn Europe’s values into rules for the digital age. But beyond the legal text, what does it really mean for innovation, responsibility, and trust in AI? How will it shape the daily work of professionals in cybersecurity, governance, and technology — and what new opportunities might it unlock?Join us to explore what’s at stake as AI moves from experimentation to regulation.

We warmly invite you to an engaging panel discussion on the EU AI Act, exploring its opportunities, challenges, and implications for practice. Following the discussion, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the five co-hosting organizations and their work at the intersection of security, technology, governance, and society:

ISACA Switzerland Chapter

CYRENZH

DSI Community Cybersecurity

DSI Community AI Law

ETH Cyber Group

The evening will conclude with an apéro and networking session, offering space to continue the conversation in an informal setting, exchange ideas, and connect with peers from different disciplines.

Program

Welcome & Introduction

Panel Discussion: The EU AI Act – Opportunities, Challenges, and Perspectives

Apéro, Networking & chance to learn more about the co-hosting Organizations

OSINT Playdate #4
2025-12-05 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the fifth OSINT Playdate in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! This year, we will try to change a bit the format, by focusing each time on one OSINT technique.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

The fifth playdate will be on the 20. February 2026, it will be for OSINT Switzerland members and CYREN ZH students and it will be possible to attend in person only.

If you would like to attend in person, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let us know, since seats are limited!

OSINT Playdate #6 – Transportation
2026-04-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
We’re excited to start the year by announcing the OSINT Playdate #6 in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! (Read more about the past playdates)

In 2026, we will adopt a slightly different approach, focusing on a different OSINT technique each time. This time, it will be transportation. The date will be 17 April 2026 at 3 pm. It is open to OSINT Switzerland members and CYRENZH students, and attendance is in-person only.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

If you would like to attend, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let them know, since seats are limited!

OSINT Playdate #8 – Satellite Imagery
2026-09-25 15:00 - 17:00 | Digital Society Initiative, Eventroom, Rämistrasse 69, Zürich, 8001, Schweiz
And here comes the OSINT Playdate #8 in collaboration with OSINT Switzerland! (Read more about the past playdates). This time, we will focus on satelite imagery. The date will be 25 September 2026 at 3 pm. It is open to OSINT Switzerland members and CYRENZH students, and attendance is in-person only.

There will be easy to hard exercises, any level’s OSINTer is welcome!

If you would like to attend, we kindly ask you to register on OSINT Switzerland’s website:https://osintswitzerland.ch/events/

If for any reason you cannot attend anymore please let them know, since seats are limited!
