Business representatives participated in the cybersecurity event "CYBERDEF 2025" in Ruse
On June 9, 2025, on board the ship "Sofia" in Ruse, the specialized event took place "CYBERDEF 2025 – Business Without Interruption: Cybersecurity for SMEs in Action". Organized by PC Health, the initiative was institutionally supported by Regional Administration – Ruse, Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, The National Association of Small and Medium Businesses (NASMSB) and The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI).
Leading representatives of Ruse business, public institutions and educational circles actively participated in discussions on contemporary challenges facing information security. The main goal of the event was to raise awareness among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) about the critical importance of cybersecurity as a factor for sustainable growth and business continuity.
Opening and greetings
The event was officially opened by the regional governor of Ruse district Dragomir Draganov, who emphasized the need to build a secure digital environment that would help increase the competitiveness of local companies and promote innovation in the region. Welcoming words to the guests were also addressed by Prof. Dr. Daniel Bratanov – Vice-Rector of the University of Ruse, Eleonora Negulova – Chairman of the National Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses, and Milen Dobrev – Executive Director of RCCI, who confirmed the commitment of their organizations to supporting businesses in the field of information security.
Demonstrations of real cyber threats
Participants witnessed impressive demonstrations of real-time cyberattacks, including crypto-viruses, social engineering and password cracking techniques, to demonstrate the seriousness of the threats businesses face every day, especially in the absence of robust policies and adequate protection.
Innovative solutions from world leaders in cybersecurity
In the first panel, the team of Acronis presented innovative solutions that ensure comprehensive cyber protection, including artificial intelligence-powered malware protection, automated backup and disaster recovery. Slav Umlenov – company director for Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey, and Svetlin Yordanov – leader of the European technical team, emphasized the integrated approach, which significantly shortens response time and minimizes potential damage.
The company PC Health, in the person of the executive director Peter Hristov, presented a real-life case study on cyber protection and business continuity, highlighting the practical side of information risk management.
Industrial cybersecurity and protection of critical systems
The second panel was dedicated to industrial cybersecurity, with the participation of experts from Kaspersky. Bogdan Albu, territorial channel manager for Bulgaria, Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and Lyuboslav Spasov, Key Account Manager, presented advanced methods for protecting operational technology (OT), SCADA systems, and critical industrial infrastructures. They demonstrated how reliable protection helps prevent production disruptions and reduces the risk of serious financial losses.
Post-quantum protection and new regulatory requirements
The company Black Swan Technologies, presented by the Executive Director Todor Yotov, considered the importance of post-quantum protection and new European regulations such as the directive NIS 2. The future challenges associated with quantum computing and threats from artificial intelligence were discussed, as well as the need for proactive security approaches that respond to the new reality of global interconnectedness.
Financing opportunities
The last presentation was led by Eleonora Ivanova, executive director of Fininfo.bg, which introduced the attendees to the opportunities for European funding for projects aimed at digitalization and improving cybersecurity.
Discussion and future perspectives
The event concluded with an active question and answer session, followed by a cocktail party, providing an opportunity for further discussions between businesses and experts. Participants shared their satisfaction with the opportunity to learn about specific, practically applicable solutions to enhance the security of their companies.
The Ruse Chamber of Commerce and Industry will continue to actively support such initiatives that contribute to building a secure business environment and increasing the competitiveness of local enterprises.
