ENDR Conference Lisbon 2025

Belém Cultural Centre, Lisbon, Portugal

1st & 2nd October 2025

The Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) of the European Commission and the AED Cluster Portugal are co-organising the European conference ‘Advancing European Cyber Defence and Cybersecurity: Technologies, Operations and Opportunities’, which will take place on 1 and 2 October 2025 at the Belém Cultural Centre in Lisbon.

The conference will feature an opening and networking session on the evening of 1 October (Opening Evening), followed by the main conference day on 2 October (Conference Day).

This international meeting will bring together institutions, experts and industry representatives in Lisbon to discuss challenges and opportunities in the cyber domain.

This conference will focus on the cyber domain, recognising its central role in building resilience and security in both the civil and defence sectors.

The programme includes thematic panels, institutional presentations and networking sessions, focusing on the following areas:

• Emerging Trends: Technologies such as secure communications using quantum key distribution (QKD), red teaming, autonomous response with artificial intelligence and blockchain applications;

• Cyber Defence: Operational coordination across multiple domains, cyber-electromagnetic activities and operational preparedness;

• Cybersecurity: Protection of critical infrastructure, including aviation and air traffic management, incident response, cyber surveillance and threat intelligence;

• Funding and Innovation: European programmes such as the European Defence Fund, Digital Europe Programme and Horizon Europe;

• Networking: Direct contact sessions between institutional, industrial and innovation entities. The event will also feature a technology exhibition space.

The holding of this conference in Lisbon reflects the commitment of the defence and security industry to promoting innovation, European cooperation and Europe's strategic resilience in an area that is increasingly critical to the sovereignty and security of Member States.

“Portugal now has an active and technologically capable industry in the areas of cyber defence and cyber security. This European conference is an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and place our industry and our knowledge at the heart of solutions for Europe's security.” - José Neves, President of AED Cluster Portugal