IT Security: When Hackers Attack Satellites

The St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences’ event IT-SECX serves as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and information on trends, technologies, and the latest developments in IT security. Under this year’s motto “To boldly secure what no one has secured before – from road to space security”, experts presented recent research projects as well as practice reports and best practices.

On 3 October 2025, the St. Pölten UAS turned into a meeting place for the IT security community once more: Approximately 680 participants took part in the IT Security Community Exchange (IT-SECX) to engage in exchange on current challenges and innovations in the field of cyber security.

Diverse Programme on Cyber Security

In five tracks with different topic areas – from security in critical infrastructures and embedded systems to vulnerability analyses and cyber defence methods – the participants enjoyed a multifaceted programme.

“It is impressive to see how the IT security community continuously takes on new challenges and develops creative solutions – from the protection of critical infrastructures to security in space mission. The IT-SECX offers a unique platform towards this end because it allows experts, students, and practitioners to engage in networking and exchange and learn from each other”, says UAS lecturer Thomas Brandstetter, organiser and chairman of the programme committee of the IT-SECX.

The conference was complemented by a specialist exhibition where more than 20 companies presented their latest technologies and by a lounge for graduates of the IT security study programmes of the St. Pölten UAS. A livestream was available for all interested persons who were unable to attend the event on site.

Security in Outer Space: Challenges and Chances

One highlight of the conference was the keynote of Antonios Atlasis, Head of Systems Security Engineering at the European Space Association (ESA), who demonstrated how technical innovations create new weaknesses, which security challenges space missions face, which solutions are necessary, and where there is still a need for research. The topic is particularly relevant as the growing interest in space missions does not only increase the economic significance of outer space but also the risk of digital threats.

Trends, Projects, and a Look into the Future

The IT-SECX’s focus was on further current topics of IT security as well. Among other things, Severin Winkler and Benjamin Petermaier from KPMG explained how attackers try to bypass multi-factor authentication, and how such attacks can be automated.

Siegfried Hollerer from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Felix Eberstaller from Limes Security presented the “Open Web Application Security” project OWASP OT Top 10 which they developed together with Simon Rommer from OMICRON electronics GmbH. The project helps developers to detect security gaps early on and remedy them.

Another highlight was the closing presentation by UAS lecturer Daniel Haslinger and Christoph Lang-Muhr, Academic Director of Information Security (MA). With a review of the past few years’ events and reports, they showed how the net and IT security developed over time – and took a humorous look into the future.

About the IT-SECX

The IT-SECX is aimed at students, researchers, experts from the business sector and organisations, and IT enthusiasts. Every year, the conference offers its participants an opportunity for practically relevant exchange on current trends, technologies, and best practices in the IT realm. The event is organised in cooperation with the magazine “IT WELT”.

Go to IT-SECX website