Cybersecurity tour made a stop in Mistelbach

From left to right: Christoph Jarisch (Haus der Digitalisierung), Astrid Parth (TIP NÖ), District Office Chairman Gernot Wiesinger, Martin Merka (BCS)

Cybersecurity Concerns Everyone

Around 170 students at HLW Mistelbach attended the event. The focus was on risks encountered in everyday digital life: ranging from the secure handling of passwords and mobile devices, suspicious messages, and malware to social engineering and new threats posed by the use of artificial intelligence.

At the Mistelbach District Authority, around 40 employees learned about risks encountered in their professional lives. At the final session held at the Mistelbach Chamber of Commerce, approximately 40 local entrepreneurs took the opportunity to explore the topic of IT security. Key subjects addressed included password security, malware, social engineering, common cyberattacks, and mobile security.

From left to right: Martin Merka (BCS), Matteo Schnell (BCS), District Governor Gerlinde Draxler, Christoph Jarisch (Haus der Digitalisierung)

Focus on Prevention and Awareness

The initiative is being implemented by the *Haus der Digitalisierung* (House of Digitalization) in collaboration with the Federal Office for Cybersecurity; the Lower Austrian Economic Chamber is also a partner for the events aimed at businesses. The awareness presentations are conducted by Martin Merka (responsible for the Awareness unit within the Ministry of the Interior’s Strategy and Cooperation Department) and Matteo Schnell.

The district tour demonstrates that cybersecurity is not a matter of company size or technical infrastructure. What matters is identifying potential attack surfaces, recognizing risks at an early stage, and raising employee awareness of threats. Vigilance, knowledge, and appropriate conduct thus play a vital role in protection against digital attacks.

The next stop on the cybersecurity tour will take place on October 15, 2026, in Waidhofen an der Thaya.