Resilience in times of crisis: trends from TRIOKON 2025 in Passau

Resilience in times of crisis: trends from TRIOKON 2025 in Passau

On September 25, 2025, the annual TRIOKON transfer conference took place at the University of Passau, which dealt with the design of organizations and social structures in times of crisis. Around 110 participants came to exchange ideas in an interdisciplinary manner and discuss innovative solutions. This conference was organized by the INDIGO network, which has been promoting cooperation between six East Bavarian universities since 2014 to strengthen the region as a science location and for applied research. The Vice President of the University of Passau, Prof. Dr. Jan H. Schumann, emphasized in his opening speech the importance of resilience through learning, adapting and developing.

The conference program highlighted technological, legal, psychological and business aspects of security and resilience. Prof. Dr. Tomas Sauer, spokesman for the INDIGO steering committee, emphasized the importance of regional networks for knowledge transfer. The topics discussed included cyber security, employee resilience and security of supply in global supply chains. The event was crowned with a keynote speech by Dr. Florestan von Boxberg and Victoria Schlosser from WINTERSTEIGER, who spoke about corporate values ​​and risk preparation.

Focus on crisis resilience of supply chains

One of the key concerns of the conference was supply chain resilience. Current crises, geopolitical tensions, natural disasters and technological dependencies are putting global supply chains under pressure. A recent publication developed in cooperation with inloop and respACT, the fact sheet “Resilient Supply Chains 2025”, defines resilience as the ability to be prepared for external disruptions and to maintain operations even under stress. The publication calls for strengthening four central areas of action: sustainability, transparency and data management, cyber resilience and integration into risk management.

Six concrete steps are recommended for the successful implementation of resilient supply chains: including creating transparency about critical material flows, risk potential and segmenting suppliers according to strategic importance. These steps aim to increase the crisis resilience of supply chains and strengthen strategic partnerships. During the discussion at the conference, it was urgently pointed out that more resilient supply chains not only secure value creation, but also create scope for sustainable development.

Linking cybersecurity and sustainability

Another important aspect covered at TRIOKON is the urgent need to integrate cybersecurity and sustainability into corporate IT infrastructures. Digitalization and the associated challenges are inextricably linked to sustainability issues. Many companies are faced with specific cybersecurity challenges in the context of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An example is the vulnerability in digital supply chains, which can lead to food shortages.

The conference highlighted that cyberattacks can jeopardize companies' sustainability strategies, leading to financial losses and loss of trust. Maturity checks are recommended to assess progress in integrating cybersecurity and sustainability. These checks include certifications such as CMMC and ISO 27001, among others. It was also noted that investments in green technologies are crucial for the development of sustainable cybersecurity strategies.

The event was rounded off with a panel discussion with experts such as Prof. Dr. Michaela Wirtz, Dr. Ulrich Cimolino and Dr. Jutta Krogull took part to discuss the central role of resilience in the areas of security and digitalization. The exchange of ideas and strategies on how companies can be both prepared against cyber threats and sustainably positioned was a crucial part of the conference.

TRIOKON 2025 is also organized by the INDIGO network, supporting numerous collaborations with institutions such as the IHK Regensburg, the IHK Lower Bavaria and the Lower Bavaria-Upper Palatinate Chamber of Crafts.