On November 11, Open Systems welcomed customers and selected partners from across industries to Zurich for a day of insights, honest discussions, and shared ambition. 

Under the theme “Unified from Edge to Core”, the forum focused on what matters most to IT and security leaders today: partnership, cohesive unification, and the drive to simplify and strengthen digital resilience as well as security and network operations. 

An Event Built on Clarity, Substance, and Straight Talk 

From the opening keynote to the final networking session, one message was loud and clear: “Unified from Edge to Core” isn’t a slogan – it’s the direction the market is moving in, and we’re already building it. 

A man in a light blue shirt wearing a lanyard listens attentively to another man in a striped shirt at an indoor event. There are other people and glass walls in the background.

Open Systems CEO, Dennis Monner, opened the forum with a call for clarity and collaboration in an industry that too often hides behind complexity. “Our customers bring us real challenges. Our teams bring real answers. As a leading SASE provider out of Europe, we play a key role in combining stability and innovation in a rapidly evolving market. Together, we’re defining a future with less complexity, more automation, and stronger Zero Trust foundations.” 

Customer Voices: Scaling Zero Trust Globally 

A major highlight of the day was the panel discussion about “Scaling ZTNA Globally”, which featured technology leaders from across the manufacturing space: 

  • Zeno Stämmer, CIO, Metrohm AG 
  • Björn-Arne Schmitz, Director Network & Security, Eberspächer Group 
  • Paul Mackie, Network Architect, GEA Group 
  • Jörg Allemann, IT Director (CIO), Zehnder Group International AG 
  • Willem De Groot, Senior Network System Engineer, Zehnder Group International AG

A group of people sit in rows facing a panel of five speakers at the front of a bright conference room, with presentation screens and event banners visible behind the speakers.

The conversation moved from the why – managing secure access for remote users, third parties, BYOD environments, and compliance – to the how: real-world experiences, lessons learned during phased rollouts, ROI and business outcomes, and what’s next on their Zero Trust journey. 

Their message was clear: Zero Trust Network Access at scale isn’t theory. It’s an operational challenge, and success depends on both technical control and human collaboration. 

Deep-Dive Sessions & Collaborative Innovation 

At the Expert Station participants met directly with the engineers behind Open Systems’ core solutions – from SD-WAN and SSE to Mission Control and AI – turning the day into a space for genuine co-creation and roadmap exchange. Customers had the opportunity to discuss and co-create with the very team that builds the solution. 

Five people sit at high desks with laptops in a bright room with large windows and yellow carpet. They appear to be participating in a meeting or workshop, each facing forward and smiling. 

Breakout Sessions: Exploring the Next Frontier of Managed Security 

Beyond the main-stage discussions, the breakout sessions offered customers a closer look at the innovations, challenges, and opportunities shaping today’s security and connectivity landscape. Each session provided practical insights, real-world examples, and a clear view of how Open Systems is helping organizations strengthen their global cybersecurity posture.  

OT Security in the Age of NIS2 

As operational technology (OT) environments face heightened scrutiny under NIS2, this session unpacked the growing complexity of securing IT and OT infrastructure, including cyber-physical systems. Experts walked participants through Open Systems’ OT security consulting approach and showcased how partnerships with technology leaders like Nozomi Networks help organizations gain deeper visibility into their industrial environments. Attendees learned how risk-based assessments and compliance-ready capabilities are becoming essential pillars of modern OT defense. 

Resilient Global Networks 

Global connectivity remains a major operational challenge — especially when navigating regions such as China or deploying connectivity for remote operations. This session explored how Open Systems’ global connectivity and SD-WAN teams tackle cross-border networking obstacles to deliver resilient, efficient, and high-performance connectivity. A highlight was the discussion around the Global Backbone Connectivity offering and the Mobile Connectivity Kit, both designed to provide reliable and secure networking even in the most demanding conditions.  

Securing the Inbox: Smarter Email Security 

Email continues to be the most active attack vector, and the landscape is shifting rapidly with the rise of AI-driven threats — enabling more actors to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. In this session, Open Systems experts showcased the latest advances in AI-powered email detection, highlighting measurable improvements through clear KPIs and comparative benchmarks. Customers gained a deeper understanding of how Secure Email Gateways on top of Microsoft and Advanced Email Security solutions together can significantly reduce risk, improve detection quality, and streamline workloads for security teams. 

Self-Service & AI Assistance 

This session introduced the latest advancements in the Open Systems self-service portal and demonstrated how AI-driven operations are transforming day-to-day security and network tasks. Self-service at Open Systems is one of several pillars — alongside dedicated Technical Account Teams and Mission Control, the network- and cyber-defense operations center providing expert Level 3 support. Customers can choose the service layer that best fits each use case, giving them flexibility while minimizing operational complexity.  

Zero Trust Essentials: Identifying Priorities & Tackling Complexity 

Zero Trust remains a top priority for many organizations, yet determining where to begin — and what to prioritize — can be challenging. This session presented the Open Systems consulting framework for guiding customers through their Zero Trust journey. Experts broke down common challenges, shared practical roadmaps, and emphasized how focusing on the right scenarios and capabilities is crucial. With an experienced partner who has implemented Zero Trust internally and supported numerous customers through similar transformations, organizations can confidently rely on expert guidance throughout their Zero Trust journey across global environments and diverse stakeholder groups.  

Inspiration from the Outside: Lessons from the Ocean 

The forum concluded with an inspiring talk by Dominik Neidhart, professional sailor and America’s Cup winner. His story of teamwork, trust, and performance under pressure resonated deeply with the audience – a reminder that whether in sailing or cybersecurity, success depends on precision, preparation, and collaboration. 

A man gives a presentation to an audience in a warmly-lit room, with a screen showing images of a racing sailboat and a tall ship. There are drinks on tables and a flip chart with a boat sketch.

Moving the Industry Forward 

Reflecting on the forum, CEO Dennis Monner summed it up best:
“What impressed me most? The honesty. The ambition. The willingness to challenge us – and to build with us. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that moves an entire industry.” 

The Open Systems Customer Forum was more than an event – it was a snapshot of where enterprise security is headed: unified, intelligent, and built on partnership. 

We’re not following the momentum – we’re creating it.