“Building the Shield of Digital Greece – Cyber Security & NIS 2”

Two-day series of events on cybersecurity as part of the Thessaloniki International Fair


The two-day event “Building the Shield of Digital Greece – Cyber Security & NIS 2,” organized by the Cosmos Group in Thessaloniki on September 5 and 6, 2025, was a great success.

The first event took place on Friday, September 5, at the Makedonia Palace Hotel, in collaboration with Cisco Hellas and ALEF, and moderated by journalist Maria Samolada, with the participation of leading institutional and technological figures. The focus was on contemporary cybersecurity challenges, the requirements of the new European NIS 2 Directive, as well as best practices for protecting the digital infrastructure of the public and private sectors, in conjunction with the comprehensive Business Continuity solutions offered by Cosmos and its subsidiary CBSLAN.

The event was honored by the presence and remarks of the following individuals:

  • Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Policy & AI, who outlined the government’s strategy in the sensitive area of data security
  • Stavros Kalafatis, Minister of Development, responsible for Research and Innovation, who set the tone for the next day by highlighting the importance of technology and research for citizens
  • Konstantinos Gkioulekas, Deputy Minister of Macedonia–Thrace, who spoke about the competitiveness of Northern Greece in business development in the field of technology
  • Nikolaos Tzolas, Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance, Region of Central Macedonia, who in turn presented the roadmap and the importance the Region attaches to, as well as its contribution to, digital transformation and competitiveness.

As part of the event, four thematic sessions were held in separate panels, focusing on the implementation of data security and integrity provisions, the NIS 2 Directive, and business continuity (business continuity), with the participation of ministers and leading representatives from the business, private, and public sectors, as well as the academic and research communities, moderated by the distinguished journalist Ms. Maria Samolada, and also featuring the following speakers:

  • Dimitris Dafnis, President & CEO of CosmosBusinessSystems & CBS.LAN
  • Dina Syntila, Cyber Regional Sales Leader for Greece, the Balkans, Cyprus, Malta, and Central Europe, Cisco Hellas
  • Dr. Dimitris Folinas, Professor, International University of Greece
  • Zacharias Maridakis, Director of Technology, Aegean Motorways
  • Anastasia-Maria Mazi, Research Assistant, CERTH
  • George Nolis, Chairman of the Lancom Group and Board Member of CBS.LAN

The event attracted a large number of representatives from the public and private sectors, who had the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the field of cybersecurity and participate in an open discussion with the speakers.

On Saturday, September 6, the Director of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Dr. Michalis Bletas, visited and was given a tour of the facilities of CBS.LAN, a subsidiary of Cosmos Business Systems, in Kalochori, Thessaloniki (Balkan Gate).

As part of the visit, a technical presentation and live incident demos were held at the CBS. LAN, highlighting the company’s operational capabilities and expertise in detecting and responding to cyber threats in a real operational environment using real data, while the full range of SOC services was demonstrated on-site, along with the corresponding network and data security departments of CBSLAN’s shareholder companies—Cosmos and Lancom.

Mr. Bletsas also toured the CBSLAN facilities and the Blacan Gate Data Center, which houses the SOC, and had the opportunity to speak with the entire technical staff.

On the part of Cosmos management, among other things, all the issues that must be institutionally defined by the state were raised, in order to safeguard society and businesses, both from external threats and regarding the necessary requirements and certifications that cybersecurity service providers must meet.

Regarding the two-day event, Mr. Dimitris Dafnis—President of the CBS and CBSLAN Group—made the following statement:

“We are particularly proud that, as part of the side events of the Thessaloniki International Fair, we presented a realistic program that we called ‘Shield of Digital Greece,’ with the participation of representatives from the State, Local Government, the Business Sector, the Public Sector, and the Academic and Research Community.

Through CBS.LAN, the Cosmos Group, and our international partnerships, we are investing in technology, people, and institutional synergies to build a secure, resilient, and competitive digital economy that safeguards the digital assets of every citizen, business, and organization against any malicious attack. In the digital world, data loss is equivalent to the loss of identity and the loss of business. Our group is here to safeguard these digital assets…”

From left:
Konstantinos Gioulekas, Deputy Minister for Macedonia and Thrace,
Maria Samolada, Journalist
Nikolaos Tzolas, Deputy Regional Governor for Digital Governance, Region of Central Macedonia
Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Policy & AI
From left:
Dr. Dimitris Folinas, Professor at the International University of Greece,
Dina Syntila, Cyber Regional Sales Leader for Greece, the Balkans, Cyprus, Malta, and Central Europe, Cisco Hellas
Dimitris Dafnis, President & CEO of Cosmos Business Systems & CBS.LAN,
Maria Samolada, Journalist
Stavros Kalafatis, Minister of Development, responsible for Research and Innovation
From left:
George Nolis, Chairman of the Lancom Group and Board Member of CBS.LAN, Anastasia-Maria Mazi, Research Assistant, CERTH,
Zacharias Maridakis, Director of Technology, Aegean Motorways,
Maria Samolada, Journalist
Balkan Gate, Kalochori, Thessaloniki

Katia Fytrou, COO of Cosmos Business Systems,
George Nolis, Chairman of the Lancom Group and Board Member of CBS.LAN,
Dr. Michalis Bletsas, Director of the National Cybersecurity Authority,
Dimitris Dafnis, Chairman & CEO of Cosmos Business Systems & CBS.LAN
Nikolaos Zachariadis, COO at Lancom
CBS
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