David Ivačič: The mindset of "this can't happen to us" is the biggest risk

Our guest today is an expert in the field of digital or information security. Together with his colleagues at Real Security, David Ivačič is considered one of the key players in this field across the entire Adriatic region. For the past eighteen years, he has also been a cornerstone of the largest conference of its kind in this part of the world. In his free time, he enjoys playing the drums and occasionally immerses himself in flight simulators. Despite being deeply involved in digital technology at work, he continually emphasizes the importance of staying connected with nature. He prefers to recharge his batteries by hiking in the mountains.

Digitalization is a hot topic these days. Yet, it's also a field that takes time—especially when it comes to security. Many people hesitate precisely because of this concern?

I've been professionally involved in this field for 23 years. A lot has changed during that time. In the beginning, we were mostly afraid of computer viruses. Today, digitalization is much more present. The security solutions we work with in our company are significantly more advanced. However, awareness still remains a critical issue. Just recently, there have been news reports of how scammers managed to steal substantial sums of money from several people simply through phone calls. Not long ago, even my wife asked me how it was possible that someone wanting to buy an Austrian digital toll sticker online could be scammed out of a large amount. Unfortunately, such scams can happen very quickly—especially if individuals aren't cautious or aren't familiar with the online environment. In such cases, their money can easily be put at risk. In the case of companies, things are even more complex and complicated.

In any case, would you say the first step is caution?

Exactly. When it comes to individuals, that's the foundation. For businesses, the key is having the right approach. The mindset of "we're not interesting targets," "no one wants anything from us," or "if something happens, we'll just replace the computer," is completely wrong.

It seems many people deliberately avoid dealing with these issues, thinking nothing bad will happen to their business. Often also because, in the past, digital solutions were mainly available only to large companies?

Unfortunately, price is still a barrier. When it comes to security, truly high-quality tools are still quite expensive, so small businesses struggle to afford them. On the other hand, there are many domestic and international providers on the market that offer very good and accessible solutions. The problem, of course, is that in the flood of information, it can be hard to find the right one.

In our company, we often notice that Slovenians choose foreign solutions while overlooking key aspects like local support, responsiveness, and so on. What are your thoughts?

Generally speaking, there's definitely some truth to the saying "the grass is greener on the other side." But I also feel that we do, in fact, trust our local providers. I can point out, for example, your company's solutions in the field of event digitalization.

If we touch on event and conference organization—what advantages do modern digital solutions bring?

First, perhaps a brief explanation for the readers. As mentioned, we organize the Risk conference, which will take place this June in Laško. Since we started using tools within the IDConference solution, the workload on our side has significantly decreased. On the other hand, we're constantly impressed by the speed and efficiency. All processes run much more smoothly than before—starting with registrations. I remember the early days, when everything had to be done manually. Back then, things were slow, and problems occurred frequently. The networking tools for visitors and exhibitors are also very welcome. Everything is fast, efficient, and clear. Your solution allows us to quickly analyze attendees' preferences, so we can ensure they receive exactly what they came for. With the data we collect, we can plan improvements and create an even better user experience.

Technology is evolving at lightning speed. What changes do you foresee in the field of digital security?

When it comes to predicting security trends, you'd practically need a crystal ball. Things are changing that fast. Artificial intelligence is increasingly present. I hope it won't lead us into the kind of complications we once saw in the movie Terminator. But specifically in our field, I do hope solutions will continue to evolve and better protect companies from cyberattacks. In the events industry, I expect a growing expansion of hybrid events. For now, we haven't chosen that approach ourselves, as we emphasize in-person interaction and the overall experience our attendees gain at our event.

If you're interested in the latest trends in IT security, we warmly invite you to join us at this year's Risk conference, taking place on June 11 and 12 in Laško.