Following the release of the official conference agenda, KuppingerCole Analysts today shared further insights into the key topics and networking experiences shaping the European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC) 2026, taking place May 19–22, 2026, at the Berlin Congress Center (bcc) and online.
EIC 2026 will once again bring together identity, security, and digital trust leaders from enterprises, governments, and technology providers to examine how digital identity is evolving in response to regulatory change, growing system complexity, and the increasing role of automation and AI.
The conference continues to position identity as the foundation of digital trust, addressing strategic, architectural, and operational challenges across industries and regions.
Key Topics at EIC 2026
The EIC 2026 agenda focuses on the themes currently shaping identity strategies worldwide, including:
- Strategic Identity Governance in a Cloud-Driven World, balancing control, agility, and sovereignty
- Identity-Centric Security, spanning fraud prevention, detection, and response
- Decentralized Identity and Trust Frameworks, enabling cross-border and ecosystem collaboration
- Privacy and Data Protection, addressing global regulations and user-centric trust
- Enterprise IAM and CIAM Evolution, with a focus on modernization, operability, and scale
- Non-Human Identity Governance, reflecting the rise of machines, workloads, and AI agents
- Trustworthy AI and Synthetic Identities, including standards, signals, and explainability
- Industry-Specific Identity Use Cases, from critical infrastructure to Industry 4.0
- Inclusion and Accessibility in Digital Identity, strengthening equitable digital ecosystems
Together, these topics underline EIC’s role as a gathering where strategic direction meets real-world implementation.
EIC is the place where the identity community meets to learn and exchange about how to succeed with today’s identity management initiatives and become ready for the future of Digital Identity. Nowhere else will you find such a density of information about best practices and thought leadership in IAM and Digital Identity
Martin Kuppinger, Principal Analyst & Co-Founder, KuppingerCole Analysts
Highlights From the Agenda
The EIC 2026 program features a curated selection of keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions addressing regulatory realities, architectural evolution, and emerging risks in digital identity.
Keynote Highlights
Will AI in Europe Succeed with GDPR Unchanged? - Kai Zenner, Head of Office for MEP Axel Voss, European Parliament: This keynote examines whether Europe can unlock AI innovation without reopening the GDPR itself. The focus shifts from legislative text to enforcement reality: fragmented cross-border procedures, inconsistent remedies, and regulatory friction that slow innovation. Against the backdrop of the newly agreed GDPR Procedural Regulation and the upcoming application of the EU Data Act, the session explores whether a combined “enforce-and-share” approach could create predictability, interoperability, and friction-light data use – without rewriting Europe’s core privacy framework.
From Vision to Value: EUDI Wallet and EU Business Wallet at the Core - Dr. Rob Brand, Senior Policy Officer, Directorate Digital Economy, Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and Joost Fleuren, Programme Manager, KVK: This keynote moves beyond policy vision to implementation reality, showcasing how wallet-based identity and verifiable credentials can enable secure collaboration across ecosystems
Workshop Highlights
The Quantum Identity Crisis: Protecting Digital Identity Before Quantum Computers Break It - Bryant D. Nielson, CEO, Quantum Core Institute; Derrick L. Sturisky, Co-Founder & Partner, Quantum Core Institute
Quantum computing poses a direct threat to the cryptographic foundations of today’s digital identity systems. This workshop examines how “harvest-now, decrypt-later” attacks and the eventual breakdown of RSA and ECC will impact credentials, signatures, and trust infrastructures.
Focusing on practical readiness rather than speculation, the session outlines what organizations must do now to transition toward quantum-safe identity frameworks, including post-quantum cryptography timelines, migration priorities, and immediate actions to reduce long-term risk.
Focusing on practical readiness rather than speculation, the session outlines what organizations must do now to transition toward quantum-safe identity frameworks, including post-quantum cryptography timelines, migration priorities, and immediate actions to reduce long-term risk.
A Hands-On Threat Modeling Exercise - Zahra Ebadi Ansaroudi, Researcher, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Simone Onofri, Security Lead, W3C, and Dr. Amir Sharif, Researcher, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK)
This interactive workshop explores security and privacy risks in digital identity wallets under eIDAS 2.0, with a focus on the presentation phase of verifiable credentials. Centered on the emerging W3C Digital Credentials API, participants will collaboratively identify threat scenarios, user risks, and early design challenges.
Through a hands-on, game-based exercise, the session provides practical insight into selective disclosure, relying party requests, and user-centric security considerations for high-assurance wallet use on the web.
Through a hands-on, game-based exercise, the session provides practical insight into selective disclosure, relying party requests, and user-centric security considerations for high-assurance wallet use on the web.
Panel Highlight
Post-Quantum Identity: What to Change Before the Budget Cycle Ends - Dr. Michael B. Jones, Self-Issued Consulting, Bryant D. Nielson, CEO, Quantum Core Institute, and Derrick L. Sturisky, Co-Founder & Partner, Quantum Core Institute: Post-quantum cryptography is no longer theoretical. This panel cuts through long-term speculation to focus on what identity leaders must change now, before current architectural and budget decisions become systemic risk. Topics include hybrid cryptographic approaches, the future of tokens and code signing, and managing certificate authorities and lifecycles at scale. The session will conclude with a concrete, prioritized action list that organizations can begin executing immediately.
EIC 2025
Networking at the Core
Alongside its content program, EIC 2026 places strong emphasis on community building and meaningful exchange. Curated networking opportunities during the conference include:
- May 19, 2026 – Happy Hour in the Expo and Outdoor Area
- May 20, 2026 – Networking Night with snacks and drinks and a Spree Boat Happy Hour (Limited seats, registration required)
- May 21, 2026 – EIC Morning Run and an Exclusive Berlin TV Tower Happy Hour (Limited seats, registration required)
These events complement informal networking throughout the conference, creating space for in-depth conversations between peers, analysts, and partners.
KuppingerCole Members can attend EIC 2026 as part of their membership benefits. More details can be found in the membership portal.
About the European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC)
The European Identity and Cloud Conference (EIC) is Europe’s leading conference for digital identity, IAM, cloud security, privacy, and governance. Organized by KuppingerCole Analysts, EIC combines independent analyst insight with practitioner perspectives, offering a platform for open discussion, critical debate, and community exchange.
About KuppingerCole Analysts
KuppingerCole Analysts, a global analyst firm, specializes in digital identity, privacy, AI governance, and risk management. The firm offers vendor-neutral research and strategic advisory services.
