ISE 2026: “Cybersecurity Must Be Built In – Not Bolted On”

This week, global political and security leaders gather in Munich for the annual Munich Security Conference. At first glance, debates about the war in Ukraine, NATO’s future, or Arctic sovereignty seem far removed from digital signage and ProAV. But the connection is closer than many in the industry realize. Geopolitical instability and the rapid evolution of AI‑driven threats have fundamentally changed the risk landscape – and digital signage sits right in the middle of it.

invidis spoke with Pere Ferrer, former Director General of Police for the Government of Catalonia and today Security & Cybersecurity Advisor of ISE. His message is clear: the world has changed, and the ProAV industry must change with it.

Cyber Threats: From Random to Highly Targeted

For many years, cyberattacks were mostly random: viruses, simple malware, and opportunistic hacks. Even then, the cost of major incidents was severe – on average 4–5 million euros in direct and indirect losses.

But today’s attacks bear little resemblance to those of the past. AI has become a force multiplier: fast, cheap, automated, highly sophisticated, and hyper‑personalized.

“This is a different world,” says Pere Ferrer. “Threats have multiplied, and the speed of change has accelerated dramatically.The AV industry is moving into increasingly sensitive domains significantly expanding the attack surface and multiplying potential entry points for attackers.”

A recent attack on a multi‑user airport operations platform illustrates what is coming. The target was part of a critical infrastructure environment – but not its main system. Attackers instead exploited a secondary, business‑critical application. It was still enough to disrupt operations and expose systemic weaknesses. Hybrid attacks, mixing physical and cyber elements, further complicate defense efforts.

“Our Technology Can Not Be Weak – WE Must Be the Solution”

Western societies, and the digital signage industry in particular, must recognize that they are operating in a structurally unstable global environment. Cybersecurity awareness must be elevated across the entire value chain.

For digital signage organizations, this means:

Compliance from the start (e.g., ISO 27001).
Continuous testing of platforms, services, and infrastructure.
Regular, realistic training for employees to identify weak points.
Constantly updated scenarios, because attacks evolve faster than annual audits.

Businesses must become resilient – not only against cyberthreats, but also against vulnerabilities in suppliers, partners, and technologies. “Threats are multiplying,” Ferrer emphasizes. “It takes a handful of coordinated solutions to defend against them.”

His core message is blunt and memorable: “Technology is often weak – WE must be the solution.”

Digital Signage Is Now Business‑Critical Infrastructure

Digital signage and ProAV have moved far beyond simple screens. They are now woven into control rooms, factory floors, transport hubs, and public‑sector service environments. That shift brings new responsibility.

“The convergence of AV and IT/OT – combined with increasing physical security requirements – is reshaping our risk landscape,” Ferrer tells invidis. “The challenge goes far beyond protecting digital assets. We must build organizational resilience. If you’re not able to provide operational continuity, critical data may be leaked and essential services may be compromised.”

Cybersecurity, therefore, cannot be an optional add‑on or a last‑minute compliance badge. It must be designed into every layer of digital infrastructure from the beginning.

The New Reality for ProAV

The industry must accept that a higher threat level is the new normal. Robust technology, secure architectures, and an aware organization are no longer differentiators – they are minimum requirements.

The digital signage sector, deeply embedded in enterprise IT environments, must operate as a full participant in this new security reality. As Ferrer warns, “Cybersecurity is not an additional layer – it must be integral to the design.”