Digital Resilience: Risks and Strategies in Times of Crisis

On 16 June 2026, the event series "Kulturwissenschaftlicher Dialog" addressed the topic “Digital Resilience in Cultural Property Protection: Risks and Strategies in Times of Crisis” at the National Defence Academy Vienna. The event was organised in cooperation with the Center for Leadership and Defence Awareness/Austrian Armed Forces, the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) and Blue Shield Austria.

The increasing digitalisation of the cultural heritage sector creates new opportunities for documenting, securing and providing access to cultural collections. At the same time, it introduces new vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks, blackouts and failures of critical infrastructure can affect not only digital data, but also security-relevant systems such as access controls, climate control and alarm systems.

The event brought together experts from the fields of technology, military cybersecurity, cultural management and civil protection to analyse and discuss the interplay between security technologies, digitalisation and societal resilience as key challenges for contemporary cultural property protection.

With insights from:

• Julian Miguez, Specialist for Cultural Property Protection, Swiss Federal Office for Civil Protection (online)
• Mario Drobics, Head of the Competence Unit “Cooperative Digital Technologies”, Austrian Institute of Technology
• Lambert Scharwitzl, Head of the Military Cyber Centre, Austrian Armed Forces
• Gabriele Langer, Commercial Managing Director, NÖ Kulturwirtschaft​
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The event was moderated by Nicole Gruber of the National Defence Academy.
​Anna Puhr, Blue Shield Austria and part of the DCNA WG CPP, chaired the panel discussion.

A particular focus was placed on how cultural heritage institutions can strengthen their digital resilience through technical measures, redundant backup systems, emergency planning and practical preparedness. The discussion also addressed the broader societal dimension of resilience and the question of whether cultural heritage should be understood as part of critical infrastructure.

The event highlighted the importance of cross-sectoral cooperation in preparing for and responding to crises. Digital resilience is increasingly an integral part of contemporary cultural property protection and requires not only appropriate technologies, but also effective strategies, preparedness and cooperation across institutional and professional boundaries.

Following the event, the Annual General Assembly of Blue Shield Austria took place, providing an opportunity to review the organisation’s activities and discuss its priorities for the year ahead.

++ Photos: Sarah Binder/ÖBH ++