4 days of security in Essen

Four days of wearing a headset, staying focused and absorbing a whole new vocabulary: from 22 to 25 September 2026, I was working as an interpreter at security essen, including the Digital Networking Security Conference, the Security Experts Forum and the Day of Banks and Savings Banks.

The topics were as diverse as the security industry itself: cyberattacks, penetration testing, data theft and artificial intelligence, the protection of critical infrastructure as well as the security of safe-deposit box facilities and ATMs.

One of the most striking experiences was a series of live hacking demonstrations involving online shops, apps and even a private smartphone. Hearing that digital devices are vulnerable is one thing. Seeing what can actually be done within just a few minutes makes the issue suddenly very personal – and definitely gives you food for thought.

A guided tour of the darknet showed a rather unusual glimpse into a digital world that otherwise remains largely abstract for most of us.

Meanwhile, the live simulation by the Weeze Training Base on the outdoor exhibition grounds provided another perspective. It demonstrated how emergency and security procedures for first responders are trained and tested under realistic conditions.

Working as an interpreter in the middle of events like these means constantly switching between topics and specialist terminology. Cybersecurity, AI, physical security – all while transferring complex content from one language into another as accurately and immediately as possible. And sometimes, the biggest challenge isn't the technical vocabulary at all. It's the exhibition hall.

Presentations, conversations at exhibition stands, siren demonstrations, loudspeaker announcements and crowds can make for quite a demanding acoustic environment – even from inside a simultaneous interpreting booth! What helps? A reliable booth mate, concentration, good equipment, regular breaks, and coffee. Luckily, there was a fantastic Barista Bus in Hall 7.

After four intense days, it was time to take off the headset, get some fresh air and give my ears a well-deserved break. I'm taking home plenty of new insights into an industry whose work affects all of us – whether it's protecting our data and smartphones or the systems we rely on in our everyday lives.

A big thank you to my fantastic colleagues Christa and Karin from KeyCom Konferenzdolmetschen for booking me once more, for organising the interpreting teams, and for the great team work both inside and outside the booth!