CODE Annual Conference: Why Cryptography is Becoming a Strategic Resource

22 July 2026

Just a few years ago, the threat posed by quantum computers to today’s encryption methods still seemed a distant prospect. Today, it has become the focus of concrete migration strategies pursued by governments, security agencies, and industry alike. The question is no longer whether existing cryptographic systems must be replaced, but how quickly governments, businesses, and society can prepare for the era of post-quantum cryptography.

This development was at the heart of the 13th Annual Conference of the Research Institute Cyber Defence and Smart Data (RI CODE), held on July 14–15, 2026, at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich. More than 600 representatives from the Bundeswehr, government, academia, public authorities, and industry came together to discuss the technological future of digital security. Under the guiding theme “Cryptography as the Strategic Key to Digital Defense,” the conference demonstrated that cryptography is far more than a technical discipline—it has become a defining strategic issue for national and international security.

^{F.l.t.r.: Prof. Dr. Stefan Pickl, Lieutenant general Michael Vetter, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hommel, Vice admiral Dr. Thomas Daum, Prof. Dr. Michaela Geierhos, Brigadier general Frank Endler, Major general Volker Pötsch. (© RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie)}

The composition of the program itself underscored this objective. Alongside leading researchers, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg), the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Central Office for Information Technology in the Security Sector (ZITiS), and international technology companies discussed the future of Germany’s digital capabilities. Rather than treating research, public-sector security, and industrial innovation as separate domains, the conference presented them as integral components of a shared innovation ecosystem.

Trust as the Foundation of Digital Sovereignty

In her opening remarks, University President Prof. Dr. mont. Dr.-Ing. habil. Eva-Maria Kern emphasized that technological sovereignty today is, above all, built on collaboration. The challenges of digital security cannot be addressed by individual organizations acting alone. “They require collaboration, mutual understanding, and an open exchange of diverse perspectives,” she noted. This message became a recurring theme throughout both days of the conference. Speakers highlighted that while Germany possesses world-class research capabilities, their full impact can only be realized when academia, government authorities, Bundeswehr, and industry work together to develop solutions.

^{Signing of the agreement for a new research project between UniBw M/RI CODE and Airbus Defence & Space (f.l.t.r.): Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Kern (President UniBw M), Aysegül Dersan Czeslik, Alix Carmona (both Airbus D&S), Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hommel (Executive Direktor RI CODE). (© RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie)}

The signing of the research agreement for the project “Cyber-Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) Distributed Information Architecture” between the Research Institute CODE and Airbus Defence & Space further reinforced this commitment. It exemplified a broader trend that was evident throughout the conference: security-related research no longer ends with scientific publications but is increasingly translated into operational applications in close collaboration with industrial partners.

The Race Against Time

One of the conference’s central themes was how Germany can successfully manage the transition to post-quantum cryptography. While conventional cryptographic methods continue to protect much of today’s digital communications, concern is growing that future quantum computers will be capable of breaking these systems. As a result, operators of security-critical infrastructure have already begun migrating to new cryptographic standards.

^{F.l.t.r.: Prof. Dr. Daniel Slamanig (UniBw M/RI CODE), Dr. Axel Y. Poschmann (PQShield Ltd), Dr. Florian Mendel (Infineon Technologies AG), Stefan-Lukas Gazdag (Genua GmbH) and Ingrid Wilke (BMVg) during the panel discussion. (© RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie)}

In her keynote address, Stephanie Reinhardt of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) emphasized that this transition is far more than a short-term IT project. Rather, it represents a strategic transformation that equally affects government, industry, and academia. The subsequent panel discussion with Prof. Dr. Daniel Slamanig and experts from industry and the Federal Ministry of Defence underscored that hybrid transition strategies will play a decisive role in the years ahead.

Innovation Emerges Where Research Meets Real-World Requirements

The Innovation Conference Cyber/IT demonstrated that these strategic challenges are already giving rise to practical solutions. From more than fifty submissions, eleven finalists presented technologies addressing current capability requirements of the Bundeswehr. The focus was not on theoretical concepts but on deployable solutions, ranging from AI-supported radio signal analysis and voice fraud detection to GPS-independent navigation for autonomous systems.

The winning project, SHRIKE, presented by Eric Scholz, demonstrated how research findings can be translated directly into robust operational technologies. The other award-winning projects, focusing on GNSS spoofing detection and cross-domain situational awareness, likewise illustrated that innovation today is increasingly driven by clearly defined operational capability needs.

This is precisely where the Research Institute CODE fulfills its unique role. The institute sees itself not only as a center of excellence for fundamental research, but also as a bridge between scientific discovery and practical applications in the field of security.

^{At the evening of the first conference day, the eleven top submissions to the 2026 Innovation Conference Cyber/IT were recognized during the award ceremony. (© RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie)}

Cryptography Alone Is Not Enough

Perhaps the conference’s most strategic perspective was articulated on the second day by Prof. Dr. Michaela Geierhos, Technical Director of the Research Institute CODE. She deliberately placed the conference theme within a broader context, emphasizing that digital sovereignty begins not with technology, but with trust. In this sense, cryptography is neither an end in itself nor a universal solution. Rather, it is an essential component of a comprehensive security architecture that brings together research, innovation, regulation, and sustained investment.

This perspective was complemented by international contributions. Gregor Lochner, Innovation Advisor at the Royal Danish Consulate General in Munich, demonstrated how Denmark’s quantum security strategy translates national roadmaps into practical implementation. Axel Treßel of ZITiS highlighted that technological sovereignty has long since become an operational necessity for security authorities and will increasingly determine their ability to analyze, assess, and respond to emerging threats.

^{View of the auditorium during a presentation at the CODE Annual Conference 2026. (© RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie)}

Sharing Knowledge, Testing Technologies, Strengthening Networks

In addition to the keynote speeches and technical presentations, the CODE Annual Conference offered numerous opportunities to experience cutting-edge research firsthand and engage directly with experts. The accompanying exhibition showcased the latest developments in IT security, cryptography, and cyber defense presented by industry partners and research institutions.

Particular interest was generated by the five hands-on workshops held on the afternoon of the second conference day. Topics ranged from interactive learning and training formats—including serious games—to current research challenges in post-quantum cryptography. Through the CrypTool and Cyber4All workshops, participants gained practical experience in cybersecurity, cryptography, and cyber awareness. Two additional workshops explored the implications of quantum computing for cybersecurity and the development of hybrid security architectures for the post-quantum era. Discussions covered future roots of trust, secure boot processes, and strategies for the gradual transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic methods.

It was precisely this combination of scientific discourse, practical demonstrations, and personal exchange that defined the character of the conference. The workshops made clear that the challenges of digital security cannot be addressed through new technologies alone. Equally important are the transfer of knowledge, the joint evaluation of new approaches, and the continuous dialogue between academia, government, and industry.

In this way, the 13th CODE Annual Conference not only provided valuable insights into current developments in cryptography and cybersecurity, but also served as a catalyst for new partnerships and future collaborative research and innovation initiatives.

^{Teaser photo: At the CODE exhibition booth, visitors gained first-hand insights into the research conducted at the RI CODE.}

^{All Photos: RI CODE / Angelika Wagener Fotografie}