International security is increasingly characterized by hybrid threats. Beyond spectacular acts of sabotage, such as the bombing of the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022, it is above all cyber security and economic dependencies and asymmetries that characterize the security policy debate on hybrid threats.
The Consulates General of the Republic of Korea, Japan and the United States each organized two seminars on these two topics this autumn, in which PRIF participated as an academic partner. PRIF supported the conception and planning of the seminars and provided the moderators, Dr. Thomas Reinhold and Dr. Stefan Kroll.
On 24 October 2024, cybersecurity in the face of increasing geopolitical tensions was the first topic at Goethe University. In a keynote speech, Frankfurt Professor of Cybersecurity Haya Schulmann gave an overview of current threats and approaches to countering them. The event was designed in such a way that representatives from practice and academia from the three participating countries then discussed the issues raised in greater depth. The focus was on issues of economic competition, resilience strategies and the benefits of cooperation.
The second seminar, which focused on secure supply chains and de-risking strategies, took place on November 18 at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The keynote address was given by Klaus-Stefan Ruoff, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ruoff outlined the degree of global economic interdependence and highlighted the potential as well as the current risks for economies and companies. The distinguished panel first clarified the nuances of the concepts of decoupling and de-risking and then discussed the different strategies of South Korea, Japan and the United States. It was interesting to note that while China poses a particular challenge for all, each country has its own experiences and strategies. Again, the discussion focused on the possibilities for multilateral cooperation and the expectations of and for companies.
Both seminars were well attended, with around 80 guests attending each. The opening of the events with three welcoming speeches by the acting Consuls General underlined the importance of cooperation and the relevance of the topics. A reception following each discussion provided an opportunity for in-depth discussion and networking.
24.10.2024: ICT Competition and Cyber Security in the 21st Century Geopolitics
Keynote speech:
Prof. Dr. Haya Schulmann | National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity Athene
Panel Discussion
- Dr. So Jeong Kim (Republic of Korea), Senior Research Fellow | Institute for the National Security Strategy (INSS)
- Dr. Hermann Gumpp (Japan), Managing Director | Enobyte GmbH | Special Advisor Cybersecurity & Data Protection | Deutsch-Japanischer Wirtschaftskreis e. V.
- John Nix (United States of America), Director of International Development | SANS Institute
Moderation: Dr. Thomas Reinhold | PRIF
18.11.2024: Securing Supply Chains Against Rising Challenges
Keynote speech:
Klaus-Stefan Ruoff | Vice-President of IHK Frankfurt
Panel Discussion
- Rachel Howe (United States of America), Director, ICTIME | U.S. Trade Representative
- Patrick Shiflett (United States of America), Senior National Intelligence Officer – East Asia | Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Takashi Mogi (Japan), Director of Industrial Research | JETRO London
- Sunhyung Lee (Republic of Korea), Assistant Professor | Montclair State University
Moderation: Dr. Stefan Kroll | PRIF
