Hack the Stack – Drei Tage Innovation, Cybersicherheit & Startup-Spirit

Research Meets Industry

The hackathon offered four hands-on challenges designed precisely where theory intersects with real-world needs. Participants worked with real data, developed prototypes, and presented solutions that were not only technically impressive but also had real potential for use in industry.

Four Challenges – One Goal

The thematic focus of Hack the Stack was deliberately ambitious:

• AI Against Hidden Attacks – A system that detects coordinated cyber threats within large-scale log data.
• Secure Key Management (BYOK) for Kubernetes – A framework combining strong cryptography, compliance, and isolation.
• Privacy-Preserving Document Classification – AI models using federated learning to protect sensitive documents while delivering valuable insights.
• Adaptive Real-Time Access Control – A system that dynamically adapts to behavior in enterprise environments and continuously learns.

These tasks were not theoretical exercises but real-world use cases – developed by experts from research and industry and supported by mentors from CISPA and DocuWare.

Turning Research Into Impact

Throughout the three days, teams worked intensely: they analyzed massive datasets, designed AI models, implemented cryptographic protocols, and built adaptive access systems. It became clear that innovation thrives where interdisciplinary expertise meets creative minds.
The emotional core of the hackathon was the energy present both in Halle4 and on Zoom. Ideas were exchanged spontaneously, hypotheses were turned directly into code, and new solution concepts emerged by the minute. The combination of scientific depth and practical application was tangible – and inspiring.

More Than an Event

Beyond the technical competition, Hack the Stack also served as a platform for future startup projects. The most promising teams will have the opportunity to further develop their ideas – supported by DocuWare, CISPA mentors, and potential funding channels. This way, a hackathon prototype could evolve into a market-ready product – or even a new company. Hack the Stack demonstrated one thing above all: innovation, startup spirit, and scientific excellence can be united in a single event – and together create meaningful impact.