Association (IPIA) have brought cybersecurity to the forefront, in order to help members and visitors better understand the risks posed by vulnerable systems or staff. Drupa Print Technologies is another organisation plugged into many global topics and challenges, largely thanks to its events and resources, including its global trade fair, which brings manufacturers, suppliers, and end users in print and packaging together every four years. Speaking on the topic of cybersecurity, Sabine Geldermann, director of drupa, says: “Cybersecurity is addressed by our platform as part of broader themes such as digitalisation, connectivity, and trust in data-driven production environments, which are increasingly influenced by regulatory frameworks.” Speaking about the role of cybersecurity in print today, Geldermann adds: “Alongside technological developments, increasing regulatory requirements around data handling and process transparency also play an important role. As systems become more integrated across the value chain, cybersecurity becomes a shared responsibility and closely linked to trust, transparency, and compliance.” For Geldermann, she echoes the thoughts of others in this article, that print and signage face many similar challenges to other manufacturing sectors due to the digital transformations that are taking place across supply chains. “As traditional production processes merge with digital technologies, questions around secure connectivity and compliance with external frameworks naturally gain importance,” says Geldermann, who adds: “This reflects a broader industrial transition rather than a fundamentally higher vulnerability.” Geldermann also points to the fact cybersecurity can be seen throughout many solutions at drupa trade fair, therefore showing how integrated and embedded security solutions are becoming within software, workflows, and connected systems, which has happened in response to growing requirements for transparency, traceability, and compliance. “This underlines that cybersecurity has become an integral element of modern print technologies.” Geldermann concludes: “Cybersecurity should be understood as an integral part of reliable and future-oriented print production rather than as a standalone topic. Trust in digital processes is essential for the continued development of print and packaging applications, particularly as automation, artificial intelligence and datadriven business models gain importance. In this context, technological innovation, market expectations, and regulatory frameworks increasingly interact, especially for internationally active brand owners and their partners.” As evident by the knowledge and warnings of those we have spoken to, cybersecurity as Geldermann puts it, is “integral” and part of the wider conversations taking place around trust, automation, and innovation. To not have an understanding of the threats out there, or to not have systems in place to protect your business, ultimately you leave your business, reputation, and customers with the significant risk of overwhelming consequences. CYBERSECURITY | DAVID OSGAR A solid baseline includes multi factor authentication, endpoint protection on devices, strong email security, quick patching, and reliable and tested backups ◄ Sabine Geldermann, director of drupa ▼ Jaguar Land Rover faced a significant systems outtage in 2025 57 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 264 - April | May 2026
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