We are building the cyber nation - GRAEF Group at leading event on digital resilience in Berlin
Berlin, June 2025 - The GRAEF Group was part of a groundbreaking event for the future of digital security in Germany. Under the motto "We are building the cyber nation - Germany's path to digital resilience and sovereignty", the Economic Council of the CDU gathered around 250 leading representatives from politics, business, authorities and science at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin - including our CEO Peter Gräf.
The start of a strategy process for greater digital security
In her opening speech, Economic Council President Astrid Hamker called for digitalization and security to be considered inseparable. The aim of the conference was to develop a common understanding of a resilient security architecture - from vision to concrete measures.
A central theme was the development of a sovereign German cybersecurity industry, based on innovation, education, intelligent government structures and strong partnerships with companies such as the GRAEF Group.
Focus on state cyber security architecture
Panel discussions with BND Vice President Major General Dag Baehr, Brigadier General Dr. Volker Pötzsch and Member of Parliament Daniel Baldy discussed how Germany can better arm itself against new digital threats. BSI President Claudia Plattner made it clear that cyber security must be an integral part of national security and that more intensive cooperation between industry and the state is essential.
Industrial policy between dependence and sovereignty
The panel with high-profile representatives from Google, Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) attracted particular attention. Together with politicians and industry, the panel discussed how Germany can position itself as a digitally sovereign country without resorting to protectionist measures. This panel was particularly relevant for the GRAEF Group, as we regularly implement security-critical IT systems for industry and public authorities - always with a focus on European security standards.
Education and research as key topics
In the panel on education, research and innovation, Prof. Gabi Dreo-Rodosek emphasized that excellent research is only effective if it is also implemented commercially. As the GRAEF Group, we saw ourselves as having a clear responsibility to transform practical solutions from theory into marketable IT and security solutions.
Interactive formats and strategy development
On the second day, we actively participated in various world cafés and themed forums. Together with representatives from the BSI, BMWK, AA, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and numerous ministries, we developed concrete ideas for a new security architecture. The GRAEF Group contributed its expertise from projects in the public sector and in critical infrastructure.
Outlook: A common vision for the cyber nation
The closing speeches by Bitkom President Dr. Ralf Wintergerst and Hesse's Digital Minister Prof. Dr. Kristina Sinemus underlined this: Germany has the potential to become a leading cyber nation - if it acts, invests and implements faster.
Wolfgang Steiger, Secretary General of the Economic Council, made an urgent appeal to politicians and society: "Germany can no longer afford digital inertia. It is time to act - technologically, strategically and at European level."
Participation in this leading congress was extremely valuable for us in terms of strategy and content. We not only took away new ideas, but also concrete contacts and opportunities for cooperation. As a specialist in cyber security, network technology and IT protection solutions, we see ourselves as part of the solution for a secure digital Germany.
