Seize the moment

Dear Readers,

Analyzing, observing, reflecting, and consulting – all of these are part of a responsible approach to processes and decisions, as well as to new ideas. But in the end, what counts is that we have the courage to take action. Good ideas only have an impact if we put them into practice.

Excellent suggestions repeatedly come from within our own ranks, for example as the results of our internal innovation competitions. It is our job to make these ideas visible and give them room to develop. This is precisely why we create formats such as the innovation management workshop or the continuous improvement process. They show that we not only have ideas, but also the will to put them into practice.

And because working together cannot succeed without mutual trust, we also need moments of lightheartedness. Whether at the summer party or other relaxed occasions outside of everyday work: when we celebrate together, we create closeness that strengthens our cooperation and lays an open, trusting foundation for new ideas.

With this in mind: thank you very much for your dedication!  

With best regards, 
Yours, Thomas Biedermann and Dr. Fabian Fechner

“Smart Innovation for a safer tomorrow” is the headline for the 5th internal innovation competition. Since September 8, all subsidiaries, sub-divisions, and affiliates within the RWTÜV group worldwide have been called upon to get innovative and creative. Valuable prizes await the creators of the best ideas.  The aim is to find ideas for RWTÜV services relating to infrastructure and safety. The group of companies wants to focus specifically – directly or indirectly – on the special funds offered by the German government. Other government subsidies at the national or European level are also intended to motivate employees to develop new service offerings. They are encouraged to develop innovative solutions for the future, either individually or in teams. In line with move AS ONE, synergies between companies within the group are of course also welcome. The focus is on existing or new customers in the areas of security/military, infrastructure, networks, and similar. The potential range of services should contribute to sustainable progress.

Two online kick-off events provided food for thought. Nearly one hundred participants reflected a high level of interest. Here, the managing directors of those RWTÜV companies that are already active in the targeted fields highlighted their perspectives and preliminary analyses. Speakers included Torsten Brinker (CONSULECTRA), Tobias Apel (apro.gmbh), Andreas Ehre (cetecom advanced), and Dr. Bernd Benser (critisLAB) on the topic of security, and Klaus Nordhorn (IB Nordhorn), Ralf Schade (Enoplan), and Alexander Dietrich (Van Ameyde) on the topic of infrastructure.

Winning idea

The format for this successful interdisciplinary exchange originated from the previous competition on the topic of move AS ONE: Clara Sessler, Evelyn Fröhlich, and Julia Weise from Enoplan were honored for their proposal entitled “One Connect” and were now able to witness how the premiere of their innovative online meeting format stimulated the exchange of information within the group and heralded the next internal innovation competition.

The concept of a live event with moderation and selected active participants proved convincing. All viewers were able to follow the exchange not only via livestream, but also actively contribute questions and suggestions via chat. This resulted in a dynamic and informative dialogue. It raises exciting expectations for the current competition and promotes cultural cohesion in the spirit of move AS ONE.
 

Within the RWTÜV Group, critisLAB GmbH, based in Hoppegarten near Berlin, offers comprehensive services such as consulting, education, and training for operators of critical infrastructures (KRITIS).

Six years ago, critisLAB created a forum in the form of the Corporate Security Conference, which facilitates the necessary exchange between operators of critical infrastructures and representatives of the responsible authorities.

RWTÜV Managing Director Dr. Fabian Fechner represented the RWTÜV Group at the latest edition on September 4, 2025: “Right from the start, the idea behind this format was outstanding, because it closes a gap in the exchange of information between the key players. Six years later, times have changed radically once again, with threat scenarios continuing to increase, especially for operators of critical infrastructures in Germany. The forum is more important than anyone could have imagined when it was first established. This is also reflected in the great response it has received!”

It is therefore not surprising that the 6th edition, which has just taken place, required a move to larger conference rooms in order to accommodate twice as many participants as last year. In a geopolitically challenging environment, exchange and networking are essential.

Next year, the 7th Corporate Security Conference will take place again in Berlin on September 3, 2026. A recommendation for your calendar—and that of your (potential) customers.

The RWTÜV Group regularly seeks new ideas as part of its internal innovation competition. But how do you promote an open-minded climate, inspire employees to actively participate in the process of designing new service offerings, and ultimately support promising proposals on their way to becoming actual additions to the customer portfolio?  The answer is: with targeted innovation management. The RWTÜV Group is committed to promoting this, and not just since the Austrian agency isn – innovation service network became part of the group.   The group's management wants to stimulate and enable structured, permanent, and successful innovation from within. It has therefore arranged for several months of training with isn innovation experts Reinhard Willfort and Victoria Wallner. A total of 18 colleagues from Enoplan, ENOMETRIK, the Van Ameyde Group, cetecom advanced, TÜV Thüringen, and the RWTÜV Group headquarters itself have signed up.

The group's management wants to stimulate and enable structured, permanent, and successful innovation from within. Together with TÜV Thüringen, it therefore supports training for its employees to become innovation managers, carried out by isn. 
A total of 18 colleagues from Enoplan, ENOMETRIK, the Van Ameyde Group, cetecom advanced, TÜV Thüringen, and the RWTÜV Group headquarters itself are taking on the challenge. The agenda for the online training units led by innovation experts Reinhard Willfort and Victoria Wallner includes strategic innovation management, creativity methods for workshops, the management of innovation processes, and everything else, especially with regard to the integration of AI. 
On September 1, a kick-off meeting for the intensive innovation training phase took place in Kronprinzenstraße in Essen to get to know each other. The participants now have months of exciting input and inspiring exchanges ahead of them, as well as further opportunities to get to know each other and promote mutual understanding. move AS ONE. Why not recommend this practice-oriented and certified training program to your customers too? 
 

https://innovation.at/en/zertifizierte-ausbildung-innovationsmanager
 

The summer party of RWTÜV subsidiary cetecom advanced took place this year at the Schmachtenbergshof in Essen Kettwig. The focus was on a relaxed get-together, cross-departmental exchange, and, of course, savory food. The organizing team thus perfectly catered to the taste of employees, who had identified “networking” as the most important item on the agenda for company celebrations in a corresponding survey.

In addition to colleagues from cetecom advanced Essen, the group management team was also in attendance, represented by Thomas Biedermann and Dr. Fabian Fechner. They used practical examples of change management and innovation competition to illustrate move AS ONE and were available to answer questions and address concerns. Their conclusion: "It was a well-rounded event, focused on human interaction. Thanks to the organizers!"

RWTÜV subsidiary apro.gmbh went on a “scavenger hunt” in Erfurt on September 5 during the summer party. Managing Director Tobias Apel took it upon himself to put together the puzzle tour around St. Thomas Church, the Augustinian monastery, the state parliament, and other beautiful sights. A pleasant dinner at Patrick's Irish Pub in Erfurt rounded off a day that was as varied as it was informative.
 

The trial run of the continuing education program for women to become cybersecurity experts at the eurobits women academy | ewa, which the RWTÜV Foundation has been supporting since 2022, ended with a ceremonial presentation of certificates to all graduates. 
“But this is only an intermediate step!” emphasized Christine Skropke, Chairwoman of the Board of eurobits e.V., at the opening of the event. “We are convinced that we are on the right track and are determined to make the program a permanent fixture!” This was supported by patron and sponsor Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, in her emotional and convincing plea for more women in IT security, but also more women in business as a whole. “Show your teeth!” she advised the graduates in attendance.

RWTÜV CEO Thomas Biedermann, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of the RWTÜV Foundation, which provided significant funding for the program, also gave a welcoming speech, as did Marc-Julian Siewert, CEO of secunet Security Networks AG. Both of them also had an encouraging message: “We need you, women, in this important professional field of the future, and we are in favor of significantly more diversity!”

After the certificates were presented to the ewa graduates, Prof. Dr. Martina Angela Sasse, Chair of Human-Centered Security at the Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security at Ruhr University Bochum, addressed the mood in IT security departments, and among CISOs in specific, in her keynote speech. Her conclusion was also that there is a huge need for female specialists in particular to strengthen teams in many ways.

In the subsequent panel discussion led by Birgitte Baardseth, the conversation focused on opportunities, prospects, and obstacles for women in the cyber world. Joining her on the podium were Beatrice Huck, ewa graduate, NeoMINT; Evelyn Breitenstein, ewa mentor, secunet; Raik-Michael Meinshausen, partner, Stanton Chase; and Robert Franken, DEIB expert, ConsciousU.

A closing statement by Nadine Nagel, executive board member responsible for ewa at eurobits, rounded off the event before a relaxed get-together for networking and forging plans for the future in what will hopefully soon be a much more female-dominated field of cybersecurity.