Cyber Crime Dinner 2025 – When Risks Meet Reality
News, 28/03/2025
On March 26, 2025, Sopra Financial Technology hosted the Cyber Crime Dinner at Villa Merton in Frankfurt – an exclusive evening for decision-makers in the financial industry.
In an environment combining security and style, the focus was on key questions of digital resilience: How can cybercrime in the financial sector be effectively countered? What legal pitfalls need to be considered? And what solutions do IT service providers really offer today?
Cyber Risks: High, Real – but Manageable
The financial sector is among the most threatened industries worldwide. Cyberattacks, ransomware extortion, data leaks, and identity theft are no longer exceptions – they are reality. At the same time, regulatory requirements (DORA, BAIT, GDPR) are increasing, adding pressure not only at the C-level.
"Cyber risks are real but manageable – with the right partners and processes," was the central message of the evening.
Security through Structure – with Managed Services 2.0
Thomas Heinz, Chief Growth Officer at Sopra Financial Technology, impressively demonstrated how modern Managed Services 2.0 and intelligent Outsourcing 2.0 help build regulatory-compliant IT structures while preserving innovation.
It wasn't just about technologies – it was about trust, responsibility, and transparent processes.
Practical, sharp, and legally sound: Dr. Thomas Helck on White Collar Crime
A highlight of the evening was the presentation by Dr. Thomas Helck, a Top 50 business lawyer (Wirtschaftswoche) and former prosecutor. He reported with clear focus from legal practice:
- Case 1 – Phishing & Deception: A client paid €400,000 into a manipulated account – triggered by seemingly legitimate communication. The money was gone. The question of liability? Complex.
- Case 2 – Identity Theft: Fake job postings in the name of the client – with mass-collected passport data of real applicants.
- Case 3 – Ransomware: IT systems were encrypted – the perpetrators demanded ransom. Legally tricky: The payment carries the risk of suspicion of terrorism financing or money laundering.
His Conclusion
"The biggest mistake is to underestimate cyber risks. Prevention is not limited to IT – it should be considered a top priority at the executive board level."
Mini-Checklist: How Resilient Is Your Organization?
- Are there clear IT emergency plans including responsibilities?
- Are employees regularly trained (phishing, social engineering)?
- Are backups current, separate, and encrypted?
- Are there legal assessments of liability risks & supervisory duties?
- Are there sparring partners at eye level in IT & regulation matters?
An Evening with Impact
With distinguished guests from banks, insurance companies, asset management, and compliance, the Cyber Crime Dinner 2025 was not just a networking opportunity – it was a catalyst for strategic foresight in the fight against white-collar crime and cyber risks.
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