The 11th Bavarian Security Day took place on 19 November 2025, drawing more than 100 industry professionals to Munich’s traditional Nockherberg venue. Organised jointly by BVSW and BDSW, the event placed a clear focus on how shifting geopolitical conditions are reshaping security—and which strategies will be crucial to safeguarding stability in the years ahead.

Europe and Germany are facing a rapidly changing security environment. Long-standing alliances are being questioned, hybrid attacks are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, and technological progress is creating new vulnerabilities rather than simply solving old ones. In this context, expert collaboration across sectors is becoming indispensable. That imperative served as the guiding theme of this year’s Bavarian Security Day, which once again showcased the value of coordinated action across the security industry.

Opening Remarks: Cooperation as a Strategic Imperative

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, serving as patron of the event, opened the conference with a call for decisive action and stronger cooperation across institutions, agencies and industry partners. Security, he emphasised, can only be maintained if stakeholders move in the same direction with clarity and commitment.

Migration as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare

The first presentation on the following day was given by Reza Ahmari from Frontex. This agency is responsible for controlling the EU’s external borders, and Ahmari outlined the various tasks Frontex undertakes to fulfil this mission. First and foremost is supporting EU Member States in securing their borders, with a high level of technical effort being expended in particular on coastal surveillance. Frontex also cooperates closely with national authorities and EU agencies to combat cross-border crime, such as smuggling and human trafficking. Another focus is on analysing potential risks that could trigger increased refugee flows.

Ahmari also emphasised the ubiquity of hybrid threats, which are also evident in the area of migration. Russia is alleged to have repeatedly directed migrants to the Finnish border. As a result, Finland felt compelled to completely close the border crossing in 2024, with noticeable economic consequences for the region. Observers assume that Moscow is well aware of how sensitive the issue of migration is and how much political pressure it puts on the EU. On the one hand, there is a need for labour, a desire to protect human rights and, at the same time, a need to maintain control over immigration. Ahmari noted that policymakers face a challenging task and often give the impression that there are simple solutions, even though the reality of migration is much more complex.

Financial Crime: Highly Networked, Technologically Sophisticated

The second keynote shifted focus to financial security. Alexander Resch, Head of Unit for Financial Crime at Europol, joined live from The Hague to outline how the agency supports national authorities in combating fraud and cyber-enabled criminal activity.

According to Resch, financial crime has evolved into a highly coordinated global enterprise. Criminal groups build legal-looking organisational structures—sometimes even operating their own financial institutions—to launder funds, run fraudulent online shops or execute credit card scams.

Two areas are expanding particularly quickly: investment fraud and business email compromise (BEC). Attackers now rely on convincing fake domains and legitimate-looking communications to gain access to corporate networks via malware and phishing—posing a rising threat to companies across Europe.

Resilience Starts With Economic Strength and Defence Capability

After the networking break, European policy specialist Sabine Seeger-Regling addressed Europe’s strategic position in a shifting world order. Pressure on the continent, she argued, comes not only from adversarial actors such as Russia but also from allies like the United States. Internal challenges, such as Brexit, further complicate Europe’s ability to act.

According to Seeger-Regling, resilience requires two pillars:
• A competitive, integrated European economy, supported by a stronger internal market, reduced bureaucracy and increased access to risk capital.
• Greater strategic autonomy in defence, ensuring that Europe does not rely disproportionately on external powers for core security functions.

Data Protection: Navigating the Tension Between Security and Privacy

After lunch, the discussion turned to digital rights. Bavarian Data Protection Commissioner Prof. Dr Thomas Petri emphasised that data protection is fundamentally about defending personal autonomy—but must be balanced carefully against legitimate security interests.

He contrasted Europe’s regulatory approach with conditions in China, where mass surveillance and social scoring systems shape daily life, and the United States, where the majority of personal data flows through a handful of tech giants largely beyond meaningful oversight.

Panel Debate: Aligning Privacy With Public Security

A panel discussion followed, featuring Christian Huber (Vice President, Munich Police), Thorsten Malt (Managing Director, DB Security) and Prof. Dr Petri.

Malt argued that technologies such as bodycams materially improve staff safety but are often delayed by fragmented data protection rules, calling for nationwide standardisation. Petri countered that uniform systems risk neglecting regional context.

Huber noted that public attitudes towards surveillance have shifted significantly, with a higher acceptance of monitoring in response to rising feelings of insecurity. He cited Munich’s Old Botanical Garden, where video surveillance led to a demonstrable reduction in crime.

Security as Critical Infrastructure

In the final session, BVSW board member Ernst Steuger and BDSW President Werner Landstorfer called for the security industry to be formally recognised as systemically relevant. Both emphasised that disinformation is emerging as a core threat—and questioned whether society will remain capable of distinguishing truth from manipulation.

Looking Ahead: Planning for 2026

Preparations for the 12th Bavarian Security Day are already underway. BVSW Managing Director Caroline Eder expressed satisfaction with the event’s role in strengthening industry collaboration and thanked the sponsors whose support made it possible.