CYBERGY FAU Summer School 2026 Brings Together International Experts and Students on Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure
From 3-7 August 2026, the Computer Science 7 – Computer Networks and Communication Systems (INF7) at FAU hosted the second edition of the CYBERGY FAU Summer School 2026: Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU).
Over five intensive days, the Summer School brought together students, researchers, and experts from academia and industry to exchange knowledge, gain practical experience, and discuss current and emerging cybersecurity challenges affecting critical infrastructures.
From Security Principles to Critical Infrastructure Protection
The program combined theoretical foundations, expert-led sessions, practical exercises, and hands-on activities. Participants explored a broad range of topics related to modern cybersecurity, including:
- Cybersecurity principles and security fundamentals
- Critical infrastructure and smart-grid security
- Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security
- Artificial Intelligence for cybersecurity
- Threat modelling and cybersecurity risk analysis
- Network detection and adversary simulation
- Smart building security
- Quantum and post-quantum cybersecurity
- Hands-on cybersecurity exercises and practical security tools
The interdisciplinary program was designed not only to introduce participants to current cybersecurity challenges, but also to connect these challenges to real-world critical infrastructures where cyber incidents can have consequences beyond traditional IT systems.
International Expertise from Academia and Industry
A central strength of CYBERGY FAU 2026 was the contribution of experts from different universities, research institutions, and industry.
We sincerely thank all speakers and contributors for sharing their expertise and supporting the Summer School:
Dr.-Ing. Loui Al Sardy – Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
Mamdouh Muhammad, M.Sc. – Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
Prof. Dr. Andrés M. López – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)
Dr. Xavier Larriva-Novo – Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)
Dr. Abdelkader Shaaban – AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Dr. Herson Esquivel Vargas – Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lamya Abdullah – Provadis Hochschule
Prof. Helge Janicke – Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Zakhar Bernhardt – Labshock Security
Siddique Reza Khan – Chesco GmbH
Their contributions provided participants with perspectives ranging from academic research and emerging technologies to practical cybersecurity challenges and industry experience.
An International Learning and Networking Environment
The Summer School welcomed participants with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
The attendance list reflects a group of around 30 participants, creating an environment for intensive discussion, networking, and exchange throughout the week.
Beyond the technical sessions, CYBERGY was designed as a platform for building connections. Coffee breaks, shared lunches, discussions with speakers, and the social event provided opportunities for participants to exchange ideas beyond the classroom and explore potential research and professional collaborations.
Supported by EELISA
A special thank you goes to EELISA – European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance for supporting the CYBERGY FAU Summer School 2026.
This support helped create an international environment for knowledge exchange and enabled discussions around potential future collaborations between researchers, universities, institutions, and participants.
Such international exchange is particularly valuable in cybersecurity, where protecting critical infrastructure increasingly requires cooperation across disciplines, organizations, and national borders.
Thank You to Everyone Behind CYBERGY 2026
Organizing a five-day Summer School requires considerable support behind the scenes. We therefore extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to the preparation and organization of CYBERGY FAU 2026. A thank you also goes to the catering team from Toshka Restaurant Nürnberg for supporting the Summer School and providing catering for our participants and guests during the event.
Most importantly, we thank all participants for their enthusiasm, questions, discussions, and active participation throughout the week. Their engagement transformed the Summer School from a series of lectures and workshops into a genuine environment for learning and international exchange.
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Looking Ahead to CYBERGY FAU 2027
With the successful conclusion of the second CYBERGY FAU Summer School, we are already looking forward to the next edition.
CYBERGY FAU Summer School 2027 will continue our goal of bringing together academia, industry, researchers, and students to address emerging cybersecurity challenges and strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructures.
Universities, research organizations, companies, and cybersecurity experts interested in collaborating, supporting the Summer School, or contributing as speakers to CYBERGY FAU 2027 are very welcome to contact the Network Security Research Group at FAU Computer Science 7.
We look forward to continuing the exchange, developing new collaborations, and welcoming the CYBERGY community back to Erlangen in 2027.