Prof. Makovoz at Conferences on Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity in Rome

Prof. Oksana Makovoz of NTU Kharkiv, who is currently serving as the Deputy Head of the Business Administration Chair—with a focus on Controlling and Environmental Management—at IHI Zittau, participated in two major international events addressing digital transformation, cybersecurity, data analysis, and sustainable development: The Cyber 4.0.2026 Forum and the 7th International Conference on Data Science, Technology, and Applications (DATA’26), which took place in Rome, Italy.

The Cyber 4.0 Forum brought together leading experts, policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, and public institutions to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the areas of cybersecurity, cyber resilience, artificial intelligence, secure digitalization, and technological innovation. The 2026 edition placed a special emphasis on international cooperation, building cyber capabilities, secure digital transformation, and the development of cybersecurity ecosystems both within and outside Europe, including cooperation initiatives involving African countries.
Beyond the academic program, Professor Makovoz used the forum as an opportunity for international networking and to exchange the latest research findings and practical expertise with participants from various countries and with diverse professional backgrounds. The event provided a valuable platform for dialogue among academia, industry, public institutions, and international partners on the development of cybersecurity capabilities, digital resilience, AI, and sustainable digital transformation.
During her visit to Rome, Professor Makovoz also met with colleagues from the International Office at Luiss University, where the forum took place. The meeting provided an opportunity to present IHI Zittau’s academic programs, discuss opportunities for student and staff mobility, and exchange ideas for future collaboration in the areas of education, research, and internationalization.

An important aspect of the visit was the opportunity to exchange views with experts from Cyber 4.0, Italy’s national Competence Center for cybersecurity. Cyber 4.0 serves as a national hub for promoting secure digital transformation through research, innovation, technology transfer, training, and collaboration among universities, industry, government agencies, and international partners. The center currently brings together more than 45 member organizations and plays a significant role in supporting digital transformation and building capacity in the field of cybersecurity.

© Makovoz

In discussions with representatives of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) from Ghana, including Alexander Oppong, Director of Capacity Building and Awareness, particular emphasis was placed on the importance of international knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the cross-border sharing of experiences. The discussions underscored the value of learning from Ukraine’s experiences with resilience and digital transformation under challenging circumstances, as well as from Germany’s expertise in the areas of innovation, industrial development, and technological modernization.
The forum also provided Professor Makovoz with the opportunity to exchange views with Matteo Lucchetti, Operations Director of Cyber 4.0. Mr. Lucchetti is an internationally recognized expert who collaborates on cyber capacity-building initiatives with organizations such as ENISA, NATO, and the Council of Europe. The discussions focused on strengthening international cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, improving cyber resilience, and creating opportunities for knowledge transfer between academia, policy, and practice.
Another important source of inspiration was the work and strategic vision of Professor Paolo Spagnoletti, President of Cyber 4.0 and full professor at Luiss University. Professor Spagnoletti is widely recognized for his contributions to research in the fields of digital innovation, organizational change, cybersecurity, and digital governance. His work emphasizes that cybersecurity should be viewed not merely as a technical issue, but as a strategic enabler of innovation, resilience, and sustainable development. These ideas are closely aligned with Professor Makovoz’s own research interests in the areas of digital transformation and responsible management.
Participation in both the Cyber 4.0 Forum and DATA’26 underscored the importance of linking research and professional practice with education. The discussions revealed that cybersecurity and digital transformation are not merely technological challenges but also require responsible management, ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary thinking, effective governance, and people-centered leadership. These perspectives are particularly relevant for higher education institutions, where students must not only understand how technologies work but also why cybersecurity, digital transformation, and sustainability are important for organizations, societies, and economies.
The interdisciplinary atmosphere of DATA’26 once again underscored the growing importance of linking data science, digital technologies, sustainability, and organizational transformation to address current global challenges. The conference brought together researchers from various disciplines who exchanged insights on the role of digital innovations in promoting sustainable development and improving organizational capabilities in the digital age.
Professor Makovoz’s participation in the Cyber 4.0 Forum and DATA’26 reflects the IHI Zittau’s commitment to strengthening international academic and professional networks and fostering collaboration between universities, research institutions, industry, and public-sector organizations. This commitment contributes to the Institute’s strategic focus on interdisciplinary education, excellent research, responsible management, digital transformation, and sustainable development in an increasingly interconnected world.
The research topics discussed at DATA’26 are closely related to Professor Makovoz’s current scientific work. Together with Serhii Lysenko, a doctoral student at the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute” (Ukraine), Professor Makovoz is preparing a new research paper titled “Assessment of the Digital Transformation of Business Process Management in Sustainable Livestock Farms.”
The upcoming study builds on a research approach initiated by the authors’ previous publication:
Makovoz, O., & Lysenko, S. (2025). Assessing Digital Transformation in Business Process Management: Towards Sustainable Development. In: Lecture Notes in Information Systems and Organization. Springer. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-06725-8_5
The new study examines how digital transformation can improve the sustainability, resilience, and effectiveness of business process management in livestock operations. The study addresses the growing need for innovative approaches that combine digital technologies, sustainability goals, and organizational transformation, and offers practical insights for both researchers and practitioners working in the fields of agriculture, digital transformation, and sustainable management.
By participating in international scientific and professional events such as the “Forum Cyber 4.0” and “DATA’26,” Professor Makovoz continues to contribute to the development of international research collaboration while promoting dialogue on cybersecurity, digital transformation, sustainability, and responsible management in higher education and beyond.