Not even the heavy rain in Lisbon could deter the enthusiasts, students, and industry professionals who gathered at Universidade Lusófona on January 21st for the CyberSecPro event, to discuss the future of Cybersecurity and AI Investment.
With 14 nationalities represented and a peak attendance of nearly 200 participants (both online and onsite), the event took on added significance given the current geopolitical landscape. We are facing an increasingly volatile context, with the US distancing itself from traditional allies, threats to territorial sovereignty, and pressing concerns regarding Europe’s defense spending.
Modern warfare no longer starts with boots on the ground, but with prompts and software launched from thousands of kilometers away. Knowing that data is one of the most valuable assets for malicious actors, robust cybersecurity policies are now mandatory to ensure national defense and the protection of both citizens and businesses.
Emerging Tech: PDM’s Strategic Contribution
More than a dozen experts in entrepreneurship and cybersecurity drove the day’s agenda. While the discussion covered a broad range of topics, the spotlight was on investment, best practices, and the technologies shaping the sector’s future.
Luís Landeiro, PDM’s Chairman of the Board, joined the panel on “Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity (AI, Quantum, and 6G),” moderated by Luís Campos, our Head of R&D. They were joined by Sokratis Katsikas (Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Catarina Cabral Bastos (Head of Indra Space), and José Neves (AED Cluster – Aeronautics, Space and Defence).
In his keynote, Luís Landeiro highlighted the critical role of 6G and Artificial Intelligence in optimizing cybersecurity. He noted that while these technologies offer new defensive capabilities, they also reshape how attacks are orchestrated.
A key takeaway was the concept that “in 6G, by definition, nothing is trusted”—a nod to the Zero Trust paradigm. Addressing the evolution of AI, PDM’s Chairman of the Board reminded the audience that technology remains a tool of human intent: “Artificial Intelligence has no desires; humans do. Whatever we desire is going to be be achieved.”
Regulation & Market: The EU vs. US Approach
The contrast between American and European approaches to cybersecurity and AI investment proved to be one of the topics that sparked the most interest from the audience.
The recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron at the World Economic Forum in Davos resonated with the panel. Macron admitted that the European Union “is sometimes too slow and in need of reform,” while noting that Europeans value “predictability and loyalty.”
This tension between regulation and speed was the focus of the panel “Launchpad for Cybersecurity Startups.” Speakers analyzed the impact of the AI Act—the world’s first comprehensive legislation to regulate artificial intelligence in the European Union—and how heavy regulation challenges European tech companies competing with their US counterparts. The topic sparked significant engagement, with audience members pressing for insights on the practical implications of these rules and how European firms can navigate regulatory obstacles to effectively compete with American rivals.
Security Investment: An Imperative, Not an Option
Europe must adapt to the times. Strong investment in cybersecurity is no longer optional; it is a necessity.
AI-driven cyberattacks are becoming ubiquitous. As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney famously stated in Davos, “middle powers must act together, because if they are not at the table, they are on the menu”.
PDM is proud to be a partner of CyberSecPro, a European project committed to bridging the gap between academia and the professional world, setting the standard for the next generation of cybersecurity training.
