This year’s InCyber Forum will stand out as a transitional edition. Perhaps slightly less packed in volume than previous years, but clearly more mature in the nature of the discussions, the intentions expressed, and the perspectives shared.
Here are the key takeaways:
Quality over quantity in conversations
What struck me first was the quality of interactions. Despite a somewhat lower attendance, discussions were deeper, more concrete, and above all more candid. We were clearly beyond the superficial commercial presence or echo-chamber dynamics that can sometimes characterize these events. There was a genuine willingness to dig into the substance of things.
From awareness to a European call for action
There was also a notable shift: from talk to action.
For several years now, the idea of a more European approach to cybersecurity has enjoyed broad consensus. But this time, I sensed a more tangible determination to move to the next stage. Among software vendors, naturally, who know that their individual size remains a barrier when facing international giants. But also, and this is newer, among certain integrators.
Traditionally quite opportunistic in their technology choices, several of them now spoke of growing pressure from their clients: an explicit demand to reduce dependency on solutions, often American ones, and the need to build genuine plans to that end. We are only at the beginning, but the momentum seems real.
A growing international footprint
Another strong signal was the international dimension of the event.
Some delegations, such as the Swiss and the Dutch, were particularly visible, confirming their already well-known engagement. But new countries also made their appearance with well-organized booths, notably Italy and Poland, alongside established players like Belgium and Luxembourg.
This reflects an important evolution: the InCyber Forum, initially a very French event, is gradually becoming an attractive European platform for cybersecurity stakeholders.
Meaningful interactions and emerging collaborations
On the ground, the quality of introductions and networking was also remarkable.
The vendors present at our booths benefited from exchanges with contacts who were genuinely interested in their solutions, not just passing visitors, but qualified, engaged professionals in active evaluation phases. The feedback is clear: nearly all the companies reported satisfaction with the level of contact. And notably, their intention to return next year was stated without hesitation, which is rarely the case.
Beyond commercial exchanges, I was also struck by the quality of interactions between the participants themselves, particularly with new startups. Several introductions revealed obvious complementarities, with real potential for shared value creation.
“Teaming Up”: a demanding but productive format
We also tested, through the Teaming Up event, a deliberately demanding format.
Far from conventional conference panels, these were hands-on workshops bringing together researchers, vendors, and end users, with a clear objective: to produce concrete recommendations on advanced cybersecurity topics. This type of format requires more commitment from participants, but it clearly worked. The exchanges were rich, structured, and action-oriented.
There is still work to be done to formalize the outputs, but the dynamic is very encouraging.
The Mapping as a structural tool
The Mapping also confirmed its role as a key reference framework.
After successful presentations in Paris and Berlin, we took a further step by publishing it as a physical book. This format reinforced its impact, many stakeholders were impressed by the scope and depth of the work.
Beyond the format, it is the practical value that stands out most. The U-Mapping provides a concrete visualization of the cybersecurity ecosystem at the European level and is becoming a go-to reference for understanding the dynamics at play. It also clearly helps strengthen the visibility and credibility of our initiative.
A lesson in European pragmatism on sovereignty
Finally, a discussion around the French initiative to create an index measuring digital independence was particularly enlightening.
The conversation focused on extending it to the European level, with representatives from Germany, the Netherlands, and other ecosystems. The key takeaway was about the approach itself.
Rather than leading with digital sovereignty head-on, a topic sometimes perceived as political or abstract, the proposed approach starts from the concrete: helping executive boards measure their digital risks, and then structuring plans to reduce them. It is through this pragmatic, business-oriented lens that the question of sovereignty can be introduced in an effective and unifying way. An approach that avoids posturing and facilitates genuine European cooperation.
The omnipresence of AI and the first signs of maturity
Finally, it would be impossible not to mention the omnipresence of artificial intelligence.
As expected, it was everywhere in the keynotes, in the product offerings, in the demos. But beyond this sheer volume, what struck me most was the emergence of players who are beginning to truly master it.
I was particularly impressed by certain profiles especially on the French side who are able to go well beyond the “standard” use of AI. Professionals who deeply understand how models work, who can identify their limitations, and even detect vulnerabilities in certain systems.
This level of expertise rests on solid technical skills, but also on a kind of creative thinking in how AI is approached. Some, for example, are working on lighter architectures small language models capable of running in constrained environments, with reduced energy consumption and faster execution times.
What we are seeing is not just the ability to use AI, but also to understand its fragilities and optimize how it is deployed. An interesting signal: we are gradually moving from an adoption phase to one of genuine mastery.
The spirit of the European Cyber Tech Pavilion
Beyond the content and the conversations, what made this edition truly special was the team spirit at the European Cyber Tech Pavilion. The ECA team was simply on fire this year, and it showed. We had a genuinely good time, and the energy was contagious.
What stands out is that this goes well beyond professional collaboration. There are real personal bonds within the team. People genuinely like each other, support each other, and lift each other up. That kind of atmosphere is rare at industry events, and it is exactly what the ECA aspires to be: not just an alliance on paper, but a community built on trust and mutual respect.
Looking ahead
This InCyber Forum marks an important evolution. Less about demonstration, more about building. Less about discourse, more about action. And above all, a European cybersecurity ecosystem that is beginning to take shape in a more concrete, more pragmatic, and more collaborative way.
