The International Digital Security Forum 2025, happening in Vienna from June 4-6, 2025, is not just any other dialogue on digital transformation and digital security. It is an inclusive conversation that brings together women stakeholders alongside male industry experts and policy practitioners.
The participation of remarkable women in the International Digital Security Forum 2025 recognizes their contributions and work in fields as diverse as cyber security, data management, diplomacy, academic discourse on Artificial Intelligence, and much more.
Their participation also means that the dialogue includes all voices and is enriched by diverse insights which may not be as mainstream in the discourse of digital security. These women will bring unique angles to the highly-anticipated line up of talks, lectures, panel discussions, and workshops.
Before we introduce the women speakers of IDSF 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on this year’s theme: “Balancing Sovereignty and Solidarity in the Digital Age.” Public and private stakeholders will come together with industry experts, policy advisors, academics, and policy makers to uncover the ways in which public sectors’ desire for more autonomy and control clash with the need for international cooperation for just, inclusive, and human-centric outcomes.
This theme encompasses a critical discussion as the civil society strives harder to achieve cooperation-based policy making and while the governments assert more control over data and digital infrastructure. IDSF, once again, has taken this bold initiative; building upon its previous successes and regular dialogues, from the earlier annual cyber security week to more-focused 2-3 day forums.
Read More:Â Meet the Speakers of International Digital Security Forum 2025
The three days of this year’s forum are dedicated to three broad themes, while a total of eight sessions on sub-themes are divided over these three days. In addition, three workshops, a film screening, and a parallel social science track are also set to take place.
Coming back to inclusivity and representation at the IDSF 2025, let’s have a look at some of the most prominent women speakers, who will compliment the dialogue in Vienna:
- Carmen Grabuschnig: Guest Lecturer, University of Sorbonne
The Fight for Democracy – Censorship vs. Free Speech and Fact-Checking
- Farhat Asif (PhD): Founder & President, Institute of Peace & Diplomatic Studies, Islamabad
Human-Centric Data Governance and Data Sovereignty for Peace and Security
- Claudia Reinprecht: Head of Department, Digital and Tech Diplomacy, Austrian MFA
Beyond Digital – Tech Diplomacy in a Quantum World
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Alexandra Duca: Legal Advisor, Federal Ministry of Defense
Persuasive Technologies: Cognitive Security Risks in the Age of AI, Quantum, and Neurotech
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Elena K. Sokova: Executive Director, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
Digital Transformation and the Security Impact on Nuclear Ecosystems and Non-Proliferation
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Eman Al Awadhi: Vice President Network and Cyber Security, Expo City Dubai
Digital Security and Transnational InfrastructuresÂ
The countdown for the forum has already started and Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier is ready to buzz with interesting conversations for three days. As participants and speakers begin to land in Austria, the organizers hope for a diverse and inclusive value addition to the already existing policy discourse of digital safety and security.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
