The industrial sector is the bedrock of modern economic stability and innovation, driving manufacturing, energy and a country’s critical infrastructure. As digital and digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity becomes essential to protect industrial systems from cyber threats. Without it, companies face operational disruptions, data breaches, financial losses and safety risks. Ensuring strong cybersecurity measures protect both business and national security.
The European Digital Days in Industrial Cybersecurity were held between 20 and 21st March, creating a significant step forward in the Bulgarian industrial sector. The two-day consultancy events were organised by EDIH Trakia together with Siemens Bulgaria, which attracted key industry leaders, cybersecurity experts as well as government representatives who gathered to discuss the evolving horizon in industrial cybersecurity.
The program kicked off with Alexander Yolovski, Deputy Minister of eGovernment, who welcomed the attendees with an introductory speech focusing on the importance of eGovernment in the modern economy and cybersecurity.
Alexander Yolovski at the European Digital Innovation Days in Industrial Cybersecurity
Ivan Goychev, Deputy Mayor for Digitalization, Innovation and Economic Development of Sofia Municipality, shared how Sofia is becoming a center of digital innovation and stressed the importance of cooperation between institutions and businesses.
Ivan Goychev
Dr. Hristian Daskalov, Chairman of the Board of EDIH Trakia, presented the mission and goals of their organization aimed at the development and implementation of innovative digital technologies.
Nikola Petkov, Sales Manager in Siemens Bulgaria, concluded the opening with his take on industrial evolution and cybersecurity’s place in it.
Cybersecurity Act
After the opening, the session continued with a presentation and discussion on the Cybersecurity Act and expectations from Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS 2). Rosen Naydenov from The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) gave a presentation highlighting the key aspects of the new legislation and its impact on the industry. He presented the transformation from NIS1 to NIS2 (NIS2) and the sectors that need to comply with the new cybersecurity regulations.
Rosen Naydenov
A discussion followed with the participation of Alexander Iolovski, Ivan Goychev, who shared national perspectives and strategies for adaptation to the directive. Yasen Tanev from EDIH “Trakia” complemented the discussion with an overview of the development of the ecosystem and presented where Bulgaria stands on the map in terms of Digital Markets Act [DMA], potential points for improvement and how to go about it. The session ended with a Q&A session where participants had the opportunity to ask their questions and exchange ideas with the experts.
From left to right – Nikola Petkov, Yasen Tanev, Alexander Yolovski and Rosen Naydenov
The program continued with a discussion on industrial cybersecurity, moderated by Nikola Petkov. Keynote speakers were Adrian Pinter, Head of Horizontal Cybersecurity at Siemens Austria, Kaloyan Bushev from CyberOne,and Pavlin Koldamov, Systems Engineer from Fortinet. Pavlin Koldamov presented the company and its cybersecurity products and services specifically aimed at industrial enterprises, while Kaloyan Bushev talked about vulnerability testing services, how important they are for the overall protection of an enterprise and what the potential losses could be from a malicious intrusion into the company’s infrastructure.
From left to right – Nikola Petkov, Adrian Pinter (Siemens Austria), Kaloyan Bushev and Pavlin Koldamov
The discussion concluded with a summary of the key findings and an in-depth Q&A panel in which participants actively participated.
IT & ОТ solutions
The afternoon portion of the program provided an opportunity to delve deeper into IT and OT solutions as well as clarifying regulations around artificial intelligence.
Torsten Neurohr – Siemens Germany
Nikola Petkov, Sales Manager at Siemens Bulgaria and moderator of the panel, started with a discussion on IT and OT solutions and services for the industry, The leading experts Torsten Neurohr from Siemens Germany, Yassen Tanev from ECIC “Trakia” and Pavlin Koldamov from Fortinet, presented current topics such as cybersecurity assessments according to the IEC 62443 / NIS 2 standard and Microsoft IoT licensing.
The session ended with a lively Q&A session where participants asked their questions and discussed practical applications of the presented solutions.
Instruments for financing
The next topic focused on financing instruments. Eli Kaneva from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Tony Shopov, State Expert at the Ministry of Innovation and Growth and Dochka Vassileva from the Fund of Funds, discussed the European funding opportunities, providing useful information on the available funds and programmes for competitiveness and innovation. Zhechka Kalinova, Innovation Manager from New i JSC complemented with a presentation on funding for SMEs.
Eli Kaneva (Top left), Tony Shopov (Top right), Zhechka Kalinova (bottom)
Regulating Artificial Intelligence through the new AI Act
The day ended with a webinar, moderated by Hristian Daskalov, during which a discussion was held on the regulation of artificial intelligence. Leading experts, including Bilyana Nikolaeva from InterConsult Bulgaria and Stanislav Atanasov from EDIH Trakia, discussed AI regulations and their impact on the industry. Denis Petkov from EDIH Trakia joined the discussion in an interesting way, namely through references to classic literature.
From left to right – Bilyana Nikolaeva, Hristian Daskalov, Stanislav Atanasov
The second day of the “European Digital Innovation Days in Industrial Cybersecurity” kicked off with participant registration, followed by two key panel discussions that explored the significant links between education, industry and artificial intelligence.
Education and Industry
The discussion, moderated by Christian Mihailov from PARAi, examined the existing realities and expectations of the relationship between the education and industry sectors. The participating panelists, including Assoc. Metodi Georgiev from TU Sofia, prof. Nikola Nikolov from TU Varna, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nikola Shakev from TU Sofia – Plovdiv Branch and Vladimir Harizanov from Fortinet, discussed how education can effectively prepare future professionals for the demands of modern industry. The panel discussion ended with a session where participants had the opportunity to ask their questions and exchange ideas with the experts.
From left to right – Kristian Mihailov, Assoc. Methody Georgiev, Vladimir Harizanov, Assoc. Nikola Nikolov
AI in the industry
After a short break, attention turned to artificial intelligence in the industrial world. Moderated by Yonko Chuklev, Vice Chairman and Founder of the Professional Association for Robotics and Automation (PARAi), the panel included leading figures such as Boyko Boykov from Siemens Bulgaria, Dobroslav Dimitrov from BRAIT, Ivan Dudin from Balkansworks and Martin Tsarev, Founder of Future-proof software. They shared their views on the place of AI in the industry, explored new technologies and examples of AI applications, and how the advancement of AI technology is changing the industrial sector. The session ended with a lively discussion and an opportunity for questions from the audience.
From left to right – Yonko Chuklev, Boyko Boykov, Martin Tsarev, Ivan Dudin, Dobroslav Dimitrov
Practical industrial solutions
The afternoon portion of the second day of consulting events focused on practical industry solutions and company presentations that showcased real success stories and innovative approaches in cybersecurity.
From left to right – Dimitar Pashkurov, Torsten Neurohr, Alexandra Slavova, Alexander Zhekov
The sessions started with a presentation by Torsten Neurohr and Dimitar Pashkurov from Siemens, who discussed successful examples of OT cybersecurity from Bulgaria. Alexandra Slavova from Fortinet looked at how AI is being integrated into security operations to improve their effectiveness. Alexander Zhekov from Escom Bulgaria also shared experiences and solutions in the context of industrial cybersecurity.
From left to right – Georgi Tyufekchiev, Dimitar Pashkurov
The program continued with new business solutions presented by Dimitar Pashkurov and Georgi Tyufekchiev from Siemens Bulgaria, who discussed comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. Assoc. Radoslav Milchev from the Artificial Intelligence and CAD Systems Laboratory at Sofia Tech Park also presented innovative projects of the university and ideas for digital transformations.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Engr. Radoslav Milchev
OWASP Sofia Meetup
During the evening programme, the now traditional OWASP Sofia meeting on “Security Testing, Access Control and other key security challenges in an industrial context” took place. Speakers included Todor Todorov from Payhawk, Dimo Stankov from Yoummday, Radostina Kondakova from Scalefocus and Spas Genov from News UK Technology. They discussed a variety of security challenges and offered innovative solutions in an industrial context.
