July 16, 2026DataGuard Empowering Security & Compliance 2026 - Munich

Technology moves quickly, and regulation keeps evolving. Last year, Empowering Privacy Munich focused on the future of data protection. This year, the conversation expands. Empowering Security and Compliance Munich 2026, hosted by DataGuard in partnership with Meta, brings together regulators, experts, and industry leaders to explore how organizations align AI innovation, security, and compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Join us in Munich on July 16 to gain practical insights and exchange ideas with peers shaping the future of responsible innovation.

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In collaboration with

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Who should attend & what you’ll gain

Built for privacy, security, risk, and compliance leaders. Hear from regulators and practioners on AI and privacy, learn from industry experts, explore real-world examples, and connect with peers.

Our speakers (and more to come!)

Dr. Stefan Alich

Dr. Stefan Alich

Director & Associate General Counsel

Meta

Enrique Altimari

Enrique Altimari

Data Protection Manager

Wisetech Global

Benjamin Baeuerle

Benjamin Baeuerle

Data & Privacy - Head of Legal, Strategies & AI

Siemens

Tainá Baylão

Tainá Baylão

Global Privacy Counsel

Roche

Charlotte Berg

Charlotte Berg

Referentin IT-Sicherheit & Recht

Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI)

Isabelle Brams

Isabelle Brams

Associate im Datenrecht

LATHAM & WATKINS LLP

Dr. Stefan Brink

Dr. Stefan Brink

Executive Director

Wida

Gonzalo Caro

Gonzalo Caro

Deputy Data Protection Officer

Meta

Marijam Darakhshan

Marijam Darakhshan

Director of Compliance

DataGuard

Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner

Prof. Dr. Patrick Glauner

Founder & Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence

Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Dan Hyden

Dan Hyden

Director, Data Strategy

Meta

Severin Kehrer, B.C.L. (Oxford)

Severin Kehrer, B.C.L. (Oxford)

Rechtsanwalt

Freshfields PartG mbB

Tino Krause

Tino Krause

Regional Director Central Europe

Meta

Prof. Dr. Dieter Kugelmann

Prof. Dr. Dieter Kugelmann

Landesbeauftragter

Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit Rheinland-Pfalz

Carolin Loy

Carolin Loy

Pressesprecherin / Beauftragte für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

LDA Bayern

Kristin Mack

Kristin Mack

Sr. Consultant Compliance

DataGuard

Mirko Mehrkens

Mirko Mehrkens

Team Lead Security

DataGuard

Marieke Merkle

Marieke Merkle

Lawyer - Associated Partner

Noerr

Patrick Münch

Patrick Münch

CSO & Co-Founder

Mondoo

Isabella Norbu

Isabella Norbu

Senior Associate | Privacy, Cyber & Tech

Eversheds Sutherland

Prof. Dr. Boris P. Paal, M.Jur

Prof. Dr. Boris P. Paal, M.Jur

Chair for Law and Regulation of the Digital Transformation

Technische Universität München (TUM)

David Pfau

David Pfau

Managing Director

Conreri

Carlo Piltz

Carlo Piltz

Lawyer & Partner

Piltz Legal

Julius Rakow

Julius Rakow

Principal Consulting - Tech practice

DataGuard

Jörg Schieb

Jörg Schieb

Experte für Künstliche Intelligenz und Digitalisierung

schieb.de - WDR, ARD

Kivanc Semen

Kivanc Semen

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

DataGuard

Sophie Sohm

Sophie Sohm

Privacy & data policy manager - Innovation & AI

Meta

Patrick Sullivan

Patrick Sullivan

Vice President of Innovation and Strategy

A-Lign

Arie Teter

Arie Teter

Chief Product & Technology Officer

DataGuard

Sagar Verma

Sagar Verma

Principal product manager

DataGuard

Katharina Weimber

Katharina Weimber

Partner

Fieldfisher

Michael Will

Michael Will

Präsident

LDA Bayern

Jörn Wittmann

Jörn Wittmann

Group Privacy Ambassador

Volkswagen

Dr. Gundula Zerbes

Dr. Gundula Zerbes

Adversarial AI Researcher

SoSafe

Agenda

08:00 - 08:55 GMT+2
Main Hall
Networking

Registration & Welcome Coffee

Start the day with coffee and networking with peers.
09:00 - 09:10 GMT+2
Main Hall
Opening

Opening Remarks

Welcome and opening remarks.
Tino KrauseTino Krause, Meta
Kivanc SemenKivanc Semen, DataGuard
09:10 - 09:15 GMT+2
Main Hall
Opening

Beyond privacy: the era of integrated governance

Traditional data protection is evolving into a multi-domain discipline that bridges AI governance, online safety, and digital markets. This opening session maps the shift from siloed privacy programs to integrated frameworks that address the full spectrum of European regulation.
Sophie SohmSophie Sohm, Meta
09:15 - 09:45 GMT+2
Main Hall
Fireside chat

Fireside Chat - AI in the real world: the challenges of innovation, governance, and trust for EU companies

Interactive fireside chat session.
Prof. Dr. Patrick GlaunerProf. Dr. Patrick Glauner, Deggendorf Institute of Technology
David PfauDavid Pfau, Conreri
Jörg SchiebJörg Schieb, schieb.de - WDR, ARD
09:50 - 10:35 GMT+2
Main Hall
Discussion panel

Beyond the silos: closing the Compliance & Cybersecurity gap

Security and compliance increasingly move together. As regulations expand across cybersecurity, AI, and digital platforms, organizations must align operational security with regulatory accountability. In this panel, regulators, industry practitioners, and experts discuss how companies move from traditional privacy programs to integrated approaches that connect security, compliance, and product development
Benjamin BaeuerleBenjamin Baeuerle, Siemens
Dr. Stefan BrinkDr. Stefan Brink, Wida
Gonzalo CaroGonzalo Caro, Meta
Prof. Dr. Dieter KugelmannProf. Dr. Dieter Kugelmann, Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit Rheinland-Pfalz
Katharina WeimberKatharina Weimber, Fieldfisher
10:40 - 11:00 GMT+2
Lobby
Networking

Coffee Break

Refreshments and networking.
11:05 - 11:50 GMT+2
Track 1Discussion panel

The innovation agenda: navigating the EU’s new regulatory blueprint

The European regulatory landscape is undergoing a "strategic reset" to move beyond fragmented legislation. This panel explores how the Digital Omnibus and Fitness Check aim to streamline the AI Act, Data Act, and GDPR into a unified framework. Join us to discuss the institutional and cultural shifts required to transform these new rules into a foundation for sustainable tech innovation.
Main Hall
Dr. Stefan AlichDr. Stefan Alich, Meta
Marieke MerkleMarieke Merkle, Noerr
Prof. Dr. Boris P. Paal, M.JurProf. Dr. Boris P. Paal, M.Jur, Technische Universität München (TUM)
Michael WillMichael Will, LDA Bayern
Jörn WittmannJörn Wittmann, Volkswagen
Track 2Workshop

DataGuard interactive roadmap session

As security, compliance, and AI oversight continue to converge, organizations need tools that evolve with them. In this interactive exclusive session, DataGuard’s product team will share what’s coming next and how we’re building solutions that support a more connected approach to compliance.
Arie TeterArie Teter, DataGuard
11:55 - 12:40 GMT+2
Track 1Discussion panel

The litigation wave: the rise of legal mass claims

The implementation of the Representative Actions Directive (RAD) has opened the door to a new era of mass litigation in Europe. We analyze the surge in Article 82 GDPR claims and the growing trend of "litigation as a business model." Experts discuss how organizations can prepare for collective redress and distinguish legitimate claims from procedural abuse.
Main Hall
Isabelle BramsIsabelle Brams, LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
Severin Kehrer, B.C.L. (Oxford)Severin Kehrer, B.C.L. (Oxford), Freshfields PartG mbB
Kristin MackKristin Mack, DataGuard
Carlo PiltzCarlo Piltz, Piltz Legal
Track 2Workshop

From strategy to execution: automating security with AI

Many organizations talk about using AI to strengthen security operations. Fewer know how to move from strategy to real implementation.This interactive workshop focuses on the practical side of AI-enabled security automation.Participants will explore realistic scenarios that show how AI can support security monitoring, improve threat detection, and assist incident response processes.
Julius RakowJulius Rakow, DataGuard
Sagar VermaSagar Verma, DataGuard
12:45 - 13:40 GMT+2
Dining Hall
Networking

Lunch

Buffet lunch and networking.
13:45 - 14:30 GMT+2
Main Hall
Discussion panel

The personalization paradox: balancing AI innovation with user trust

AI is unlocking unprecedented possibilities for product development, yet hyper-personalized experiences demand a new era of transparency and risk management. This session explores how organizations can scale AI-driven engagement while navigating the ethical and regulatory responsibilities of the EU AI Act. Join us to discover the blueprint for delivering world-class product value without compromising on user protection
Tainá BaylãoTainá Baylão, Roche
Marijam DarakhshanMarijam Darakhshan, DataGuard
Prof. Dr. Patrick GlaunerProf. Dr. Patrick Glauner, Deggendorf Institute of Technology
Dan HydenDan Hyden, Meta
Carolin LoyCarolin Loy, LDA Bayern
14:30 - 14:50 GMT+2
Lobby
Networking

Coffee Break

Afternoon coffee and networking.
14:55 - 15:40 GMT+2
Track 1Discussion panel

AI as shield and sword: preparing for the next security battlefield

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape at a rapid pace. Organizations now rely on AI to strengthen defenses, detect threats earlier, and respond faster to incidents. At the same time, attackers are adopting the same technology to scale their operations and increase the sophistication of cyberattacks. Experts from industry, regulation, and cybersecurity will discuss how organizations can prepare for AI-driven threats while responsibly introducing AI into their security operations. This panel explores the dual role of AI in cybersecurity. 
Main Hall
Enrique AltimariEnrique Altimari, Wisetech Global
Patrick MünchPatrick Münch, Mondoo
Isabella NorbuIsabella Norbu, Eversheds Sutherland
Kivanc SemenKivanc Semen, DataGuard
Patrick SullivanPatrick Sullivan, A-Lign
Dr. Gundula ZerbesDr. Gundula Zerbes, SoSafe
Track 2Workshop

Insights and Lessons from Expert Co-Design on Personalised, Context-Aware AI

Dan HydenDan Hyden, Meta
15:45 - 16:10 GMT+2
Fireside chat

Fireside Chat - NIS2 in practice: what implementation really looks like

A practitioner, a regulatory voice, and an expert will discuss how organizations approach NIS2 readiness, what challenges appear during implementation, and where companies often underestimate the effort involved.The conversation will offer practical insight into how security teams translate regulatory requirements into operational security programs.
Charlotte BergCharlotte Berg, Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI)
Mirko MehrkensMirko Mehrkens, DataGuard
Julius RakowJulius Rakow, DataGuard
16:10 - 16:15 GMT+2
Main Hall
Closing

Closing Remarks

Event closing and wrap-up.
Kivanc SemenKivanc Semen, DataGuard
Sophie SohmSophie Sohm, Meta
16:15 - 17:15 GMT+2
Reception Hall
Networking

Networking & Drinks Reception

End the day with networking and a drinks reception.

Connect & collaborate

Immerse yourself in a collaborative environment where industry professionals come together to share experiences, exchange ideas, and forge connections. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, this event offers a unique platform to enhance your knowledge and broaden your network.

Secure your free spot

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out!
All presentations and discussions will be held in English.

Register now to guarantee your attendance at this exclusive event.
 
16 July 2026, 08:30 – 19:00 GMT+2
Meta Office - MunichBalanstraße 71bMunich81541
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