“Who steers the likes?” – A focus on cyber threats, disinformation, and artificial intelligence

From left to right: Christoph Jarich (House of Digitalization), Philipp Leonhardsberger (BMLV), Florian Stanek, Alexander Mestl (HTL), Andreas Prinz (Principal of HTL)

From Cyberattacks to Fake News

The presentation focused on current developments in the field of cybersecurity. Philipp Leonhardsberger explained the role that geopolitical conflicts and state-sponsored or state-aligned actors play in cyberattacks, as well as the potential impact of such attacks on critical infrastructure. It became clear that cyber threats are no longer limited to large corporations or government institutions; they now affect every single individual.

Special attention was given to the new capabilities offered by artificial intelligence (AI). While AI can be used to defend against cyberattacks, it also creates new opportunities for cybercriminals. Current challenges range from deceptively realistic fake videos and synthesized voices to automated attacks.

The presentation also addressed national cybersecurity in Austria. It provided insights into the responsibilities of the Austrian Armed Forces and the Military Cyber ​​Centre, highlighting the importance of cooperation between various organizations in ensuring a secure digital space.

Another key focus was disinformation and the deliberate manipulation of public opinion online. Using practical examples, the presentation illustrated how "fake news" is created and spread, and how the use of modern technologies makes it increasingly difficult to detect. In particular, deepfakes, bot farms, and the strategic use of memes play an ever-growing role in the dissemination of manipulated content.

IT Security as a Promising Career Field

To conclude, participants gained insights into various job profiles and career paths within the field of IT security. For students at HTL Krems—who specialize in computer science and medical informatics—the presentation offered an engaging look at potential future career opportunities.

The event demonstrated once again that cybersecurity extends far beyond technical protective measures. Navigating the digital realm securely requires an understanding of the mechanisms behind disinformation and social influence, as well as the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. This is precisely where the “Who Steers the Likes?” (“Wer lenkt die Likes?”) tour comes in, encouraging young people to engage with digital information in a critical and responsible manner.