IFAT Munich is the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies. With 142,000 visitors from around the globe, hundreds of exhibitors, and a central theme that is driving the industry: How do we protect critical infrastructure in a rapidly changing world?
For synaforce, IFAT 2026 was a must-attend event. Our CTO Tobias Lehner and Head of Verticals Alexander Weber were on site in Munich—and focused precisely where technology and responsibility intersect: in the KRITIS vertical of waste management and utilities.
Why the Circular Economy Is a KRITIS Issue
Waste management, water supply, and waste disposal infrastructure—these sectors are classified as critical infrastructure (KRITIS) in Germany and are therefore subject to the highest standards of availability, security, and resilience. With the NIS2 Directive, the EU is significantly tightening these requirements once again: More companies than ever before fall under the expanded scope, reporting obligations are becoming stricter, and liability for executives is increasing noticeably. At the same time, companies in this sector are under enormous pressure: Regulatory requirements are rising, cyberattacks on infrastructure operators are on the rise, and the digitalization of operational processes is no longer an option—it is a requirement.
This year’s IFAT has impressively demonstrated that the industry takes this responsibility seriously. Modern waste management systems rely on digital solutions, automated processes, and smart infrastructure. The water industry is positioning itself as a technical service provider, but also as a core component of critical infrastructure. And that is precisely where synaforce comes in.
First-hand insights – conversations that matter
In addition to the trade show experience, it was above all the personal conversations that made the visit worthwhile. Tobias Lehner and Alexander Weber used IFAT to engage in direct dialogue with companies in the industry and gain insights that no white paper can provide.
Special thanks go to Johannes Wittmann, CEO of Wittmann GmbH, an established company in the waste management and recycling industry, as well as Karsten Witte from Wurzer Umwelt GmbH for the open and valuable discussions.
“IFAT has confirmed once again that the waste management and utilities sector is one of the most dynamic and, at the same time, most demanding KRITIS segments alongside healthcare and energy supply. The companies here are highly certified, process-driven, and face complex IT security requirements.” – Tobias Lehner, CTO synaforce
synaforce and Critical Infrastructure: A Vertical with Depth
For synaforce, the waste management and utilities sector is not a peripheral issue—it is a strategic vertical that we serve with conviction and expertise. Companies in this sector must not only secure their operational IT systems and complex OT (Operational Technology) environments, control systems, and supply chains. All under the watchful eye of regulators and with zero tolerance for outages.
synaforce supports KRITIS operators with tailored IT solutions designed to meet the specific requirements of this industry: from architecture, transformation, or migration, and risk analysis, through incident response, to operations with continuous monitoring of critical systems.
Conclusion: IFAT as a Strategic Compass
For synaforce, trade shows like IFAT are much more than just networking events. They serve as strategic touchstones that help us understand where an industry is headed, what challenges it faces, and how we, as an IT security partner, can deliver real added value.
The circular economy is systemically important. And systemically important infrastructure deserves the best protection and the highest availability.
#synaforce #CriticalInfrastructure #IFAT #NIS2 #BSIC5
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