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6 COMMERCIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 NOVEMBER 2026 Konferenza MITA 2026 MALTA'S digital transforma- tion, responsible use of artificial intelligence and the growing importance of cybersecurity were at the heart of Konferen- za MITA 2026, a two-day event bringing together policymakers, international experts and tech- nology professionals to discuss the opportunities and challeng- es shaping the country's digital future. Held on the 13th and 14th October, the conference ex- plored two key themes: digital government and cybersecurity, highlighting the need to bal- ance technological innovation with strong governance, secure digital infrastructure and public trust. The first day, held under the theme Gvern Diġitali, focused on the role of digital transfor- mation in improving public ser- vices and strengthening Malta's journey towards a Digital State. Opening the conference, Prin- cipal Permanent Secretary To- ny Sultana stressed that digital transformation requires more than technological investment, it also demands leadership and a change in mindset. He an- nounced that the Office of the Chief AI Officer and its team were already operational, sup- porting the ethical and respon- sible adoption of artificial intel- ligence across the public sector. Mr. Sultana also highlighted the importance of investing in employees' skills and embed- ding cybersecurity into dig- ital services from the outset. He encouraged participants to translate the discussions into concrete decisions that improve public services and make peo- ple's lives easier. MITA CEO Ing. Emanuel Dar- manin similarly emphasised the potential of AI to help public sector employees address chal- lenges, solve problems and de- velop innovative solutions. He underlined the importance of adopting these technologies re- sponsibly, ensuring that innova- tion does not introduce unnec- essary risks. The ultimate objective, he ex- plained, is to make public ser- vices simpler, more efficient and accessible to everyone. Through collaboration and in- novation, the Government aims to strengthen citizens' trust in public institutions while im- proving their quality of life. On the second day, attention shifted towards cybersecurity with CYBER ROOT 2026, the eighth edition of MITA's lead- ing cybersecurity conference. The programme brought to- gether local and international specialists to examine emerging cyber threats, AI-related risks, modern cybercrime, social engi- neering and the human factors that influence organisational security. In his keynote address, Ing. Darmanin highlighted the im- portance of recognising early warning signs and acting before minor vulnerabilities develop into serious cyber incidents. He noted that threats often begin with seemingly insignificant in- dicators that may go unnoticed or fail to receive the attention they require. "The attacker does not always break down the door, some- times, the attacker persuades us to open it," he remarked, emphasising the critical role of human awareness in preventing cyberattacks. He added that effective cy- bersecurity extends beyond technology. Although robust infrastructure, continuous monitoring and appropriate se- curity controls remain essential, lasting protection also depends on people, strong organisational practices and trust. The conference concluded with the second edition of the Cyber Awards 2026, which rec- ognised contributions to Malta's cybersecurity community across both the public and private sec- tors. Through Konferenza MITA, the Agency continues to pro- vide a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Gov- ernment, industry and the wid- er technology community. By bringing together expertise from different sectors, the event encourages the exchange of ide- as on how Malta can embrace digital innovation responsibly while preparing for emerging risks. Konferenza MITA 2026 rein- forced the message that tech- nological progress alone is not enough to secure a successful digital future. Effective govern- ance, cybersecurity awareness, collaboration and continued investment in digital capabili- ties remain essential to ensuring that innovation delivers mean- ingful benefits to citizens, busi- nesses and public services. The conference reflects MI- TA's ongoing commitment to supporting Malta's digital trans- formation and promoting a se- cure, resilient and forward-look- ing digital environment.