On February 24, 2026, the Security Network Munich (SNM) community gathered for a special edition of our monthly meetup. Hosted in cooperation with Airbus Protect and infodas, the evening took place in a truly immersive setting: the Airbus Showroom in Taufkirchen.
A Unique Atmosphere
Greeted by an Ariane rocket at the entrance and surrounded by aircraft models and technical exhibits, the venue set the perfect stage for the evening’s theme: the “Safety-Security Nexus.”
Community & Connection
Kai Hermsen (Security Network Munich) welcomed the full house of attendees, highlighting the growing strength of the security community across the region. A special welcome was extended to Alexa Dippold from the Security Meetup Würzburg, who joined as a guest of honor – a testament to the close networking between security hubs in different cities.
Christian von Vietinghoff (Managing Director at Airbus Protect), then took the stage to welcome the guests, emphasizing the company’s commitment to integrating physical safety with cutting-edge cybersecurity.
Deep Dive: Convergence of Cultures The content portion kicked off with an inspiring keynote by Prof. Dr. Chiara Manfletti (TUM, Department of Aerospace and Geodesy). She illustrated why robust security architectures are the prerequisite for innovation in aerospace and why “Security by Design” is essential for systemic resilience.
In the subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Sebastian Dännart (infodas), the conversation went deeper into the cultural and operational shifts within the industry. Together with Andreas Krüger (Laokoon Security), Dr. Tobias Kiesling (Airbus Protect), and Prof. Dr. Manfletti, the panel explored the convergence of two historically distinct schools of thought: Safety and Security.
The experts discussed the cultural differences between these disciplines and shared insights on how these silos have successfully merged at Airbus and other leading firms over recent years. The dialogue also addressed the changing geopolitical landscape, specifically how defense considerations are playing an increasingly central role, particularly in space applications.
Voices from the Community
The relevance of this topic resonated strongly with the audience. As one attendee noted, the event was a powerful reminder of why these communities matter: “The focus this time: aerospace and defence. Not my daily playground – and exactly why it was valuable.”
Another participant highlighted a key takeaway: “In highly regulated environments, safety and security are not parallel tracks. They are interdependent engineering disciplines. Digital resilience is a precondition for physical safety.”
The unique venue and the high-caliber lineup made for a memorable evening.
Networking Surrounded by aviation history in the showroom, the official program was followed by lively discussions, pizza, and drinks. It was a fantastic opportunity for old friends to reconnect and new members to join the conversation.
A big thank you to our hosts Airbus and infodas, as well as all our speakers for their insights!
Save the Date The next meetup is already around the corner! Join us on March 19, 2026, at Wiz in cooperation with Spike Reply for a deep dive into “AI & Cloud Security.”
Disclaimer: This article was created with digital assistance: AI helped with research and formulation, while final editing and content responsibility remains exclusively with the authors.