Innovative cybersecurity solutions can now apply for the IT Security Award. The Horst Götz Foundation will present the award for the eleventh time next year. The solution that is particularly suitable for practical implementation and at the same time strengthens Germany's innovative power and digital sovereignty will receive prize money of €100,000. The second and third place winners will receive €20,000 and €10,000, respectively. The award ceremony will take place on November 5, 2026, as part of the 4th Cybersecurity Innovation Conference hosted by Ruhr University Bochum and the digital association Bitkom in Bochum.
“For twenty years, the German IT Security Award has clearly demonstrated how cutting-edge research from Germany finds its way into practical innovations,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Gregor Leander, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science in Bochum and former award winner.
Individuals, research institutions, and companies based in Germany can apply by submitting a brief description of their solution. An independent jury will select ten projects that are particularly convincing in terms of the three criteria “innovativeness,” “benefit,” and “real market opportunities” for a second round with a detailed presentation.
All details regarding participation can be found online here: www.deutscher-itsicherheitspreis.de/
The 11th German IT Security Award is organized by the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security in Bochum.
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