With the aim of offering the PLC community a platform outside of the trade fair in November, Mesago Messe Frankfurt has launched the new digital format "PLC Technology Talks". Companies are invited to share their expertise with the PLC community in monthly webinars on current industry topics and talk about innovations, current developments or exemplary applications.

"Completely detached from the trade fair period, our new monthly digital offer of 'SPS Technology Talks' gives participants the opportunity not only to increase their presence in the automation industry in a targeted manner. In particular, they can engage in an intensive exchange of knowledge and networking via the new platform throughout the year. Everyone benefits from this active and topic-specific exchange, both speakers and participants," explains Gunnar Mey, Vice President Business Development & SPS New Business at Mesago Messe Frankfurt.

New month, new focus

The "Technology Talks" start with an opening keynote that provides an insight into the monthly changing topic. Afterwards, up to five providers per digital event have the opportunity to provide information in a 20-minute provider session in a live presentation or pre-produced webinar. The presentations are rounded off with a short live Q&A.

Kick-off with "Industrial Security" and live hacking

The first topic of the "SPS Technology Talks" on January 25, 2024 will be "Industrial Security". The opening keynote will be given by Steffen Zimmermann, Head of the Industrial Security Competence Center at VDMA. He will talk about the Cyber Resilience Act and explore what it means for the mechanical and plant engineering industry.

"Security at the VDMA is all about protecting machines and systems in production, manufacturing and intralogistics from attacks and disruptions. I am looking forward to exchanging ideas with users of automation technology as part of the digital technology talk," adds Steffen Zimmermann.

As a special live act, Sebastian Schreiber, Managing Director of Syss GmbH, will simulate hacker attacks against Windows systems and demonstrate password cracking, denial-of-service attacks and attacks against web applications.

"In terms of accessibility and flexibility, a digital platform is a great thing for anyone interested. And for me as a live hacker, the live mode is of course ideal, because it's the only way my simulated cyber attacks can have their full effect on the audience," says a delighted Sebastian Schreiber.

Registration and topics

Interested companies can still take part in the "SPS Technology Talks" in January at short notice. Registration for all subsequent digital events is possible via the SPS website. The "SPS Technology Talks" will be streamed via the digital platform "SPS on air".

The following topics will be addressed next year

• Digitization (25 January 2024 and 25 April 2024)
  January is all about industrial security and is aimed at IT experts, security managers and development engineers. In April, the focus will be on intelligent data acquisition and processing with a focus on industrial image processing and its integration into automation.
• Demographics (February 22, 2024 and June 27, 2024)
  The "SPS Technology Talks" in February and June are aimed at HR managers looking for input to attract talent as well as users and young talents looking for a new job in a suitable company.
• Decarbonization: Enable. Sustainable. Future. (March 28, 2024 and May 23, 2024)
  Don't just talk about it, do it! These two webinars are aimed at users of automation technology in general and those responsible for sustainability in user companies in particular.