Press Room & Agenda

More than 300 companies gathered in Oviedo at an event that highlighted the specialization, rigor, and capability of Asturian businesses to compete in demanding technological environments.

The III Meeting of the National Defense Industry Ecosystem, organized by Indra Group in Oviedo, brought together more than 300 companies and SMEs from the Northern Corridor at a key moment for the country’s technological sovereignty. We are not only talking about industry or business opportunities: we are talking about national sovereignty, technological autonomy, and the real capacity to build the nation from the territory.

At Castroalonso, we work from a cross-cutting perspective on dual-use projects, integrating technology, cybersecurity, governance, regulation, ethics, and applied innovation, the result of many years of experience and collaboration with strategic sectors and academia. Precisely, events like this demonstrate that SMEs, technology startups, and established companies have a place in the ecosystem, and that we are part of the solution when there is a true commitment to accumulated knowledge and honest collaboration.

Asturias is ready. The companies are ready. Now it is time to continue building ecosystem, industry, and future sovereignty, together.

Last February 27th we attended the conference on funding opportunities in the blue economy, held at the Escuela Superior de la Marina Civil in Gijón. Institutions, experts and companies came together to explore how to make the most of European and national funds to drive the maritime sector forward.

Last February 27th we attended the conference on funding opportunities in the blue economy, held at the Escuela Superior de la Marina Civil in Gijón. The event was opened by the Deputy Mayor of our city, Ángela Pumariega Menéndez, who highlighted the strategic relevance of the sector.

Rubén González Rodríguez, director of the Cátedra Milla del Conocimiento: Gijón Azul, reminded us that we are facing a “strategic reality” in which national and European funding are key tools.

To help navigate these funding opportunities, we had the expert insights of:

• Marta Pascual, from the Spanish National Hub of the Atlantic Action Plan
• Isabel Camacho, head of the Blue Economy area
• Elena Barrios, technical advisor at the European Territorial Cooperation General Subdirectorate
• Juan Carlos García Carrasco, National Contact Point for Cluster 5 and delegate in the Committee of the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Programme

Our colleague Alejandro Mier González was present, fostering connections and new projects.

For Castroalonso, returning to this venue has a special meaning: in 2024 we held here an edition of #CSDescubierto dedicated to the naval sector and the blue economy. We reaffirm our commitment: to support the sector through technology, innovation and collaboration.

Thanks to the organization and all participants for creating such a valuable space to learn, connect and activate opportunities.

We keep sailing forward together.

Last Friday we experienced a key event for the digital future of Asturias at the College of Industrial Engineers. Data, talent and collaboration came together to demonstrate that sharing information securely is the path to real innovation.

Last Friday we held a conference at the College of Industrial Engineers of Asturias on the transformative power of data and collaboration. We thank the organizing team for their impeccable coordination.

Dianet Jardines and Lizette Grados, from Castroalonso, explained the concept of data spaces: a model that allows sharing information securely, collaborating without losing control and creating sustainable value.

We shared the event with Marián García Prieto, Daniel Álvarez and Beatriz García Fanjul, and learned about success stories from Asturian organizations such as i4life i+d, ISPA-FINBA and the Smart City Cluster, which demonstrate that the union of data drives the territory forward.

Does your company want to take the next step? At Castroalonso we help you with the data space kit and invite you to be part of DATA X. Contact us.

Last Wednesday we participated as speakers at ASTURIAS HUB DE DEFENSA, held at AS5Hub (Gijón), to address the security requirements, certifications and regulations essential for operating in the Defense sector. A key event for Asturian companies seeking to access this field.

Last Wednesday, February 18, our colleagues Dianet Jardines Galcerán and Sofía Álvarez Escobedo participated as guest speakers at ASTURIAS HUB DE DEFENSA, held at AS5Hub (Gijón). The meeting focused on the security requirements, certifications and regulations essential for companies wishing to operate in the Defense sector.

During the session, they addressed a critical aspect: the management of classified information, the necessary authorizations for its handling (HSEM, HSES and HPS) and the most common mistakes made by SMEs when facing such specific regulations.

It was a privilege to share the event with Mario J. from GOVERTIS | Telefónica Tech, who delved into ENS, ISO 27001 and international certifications, and with Mario Martín from AsturCON.tech | Guardia Civil, who provided a very practical perspective on the most common risks in this area and the communication channels with the competent authorities.

Accessing defense projects does not depend solely on technical capacity. Without the proper security clearance, without solid internal procedures and without a real culture of information protection, it is simply not possible to compete. In an increasingly demanding geopolitical and regulatory context, compliance is not just a legal obligation: it is a strategic positioning factor.

If your company is considering certifying in information security, at Castroalonso we assist in these processes: internal security audits, clearances, certifications and structuring of security governance models.

We continue working to strengthen the capabilities of Asturian industry and facilitate its access to the Defense sector.

Last Thursday, a new edition of Ciberseguridad al Descubierto was held at the Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes in Gijón. This is a benchmark annual event that we have been organizing continuously for the past seven years, with the aim of raising awareness, educating, and promoting cybersecurity from a cross-cutting, practical, and multidisciplinary perspective.

Over the course of these editions, the event has become a meeting point for professionals from different fields, combining technical, organizational, legal, and strategic approaches, and encouraging the exchange of knowledge and real-world experiences in the field of information security.

On this occasion, the event placed a special focus on the healthcare sector, a critical and particularly sensitive area due to the value of the information it manages, the growing digitalization of clinical and care services, and the direct impact that a cybersecurity incident can have on continuity of care and patient safety. During the event, the main current challenges facing healthcare in terms of cybersecurity were addressed, along with emerging threats, best practices, and the need to foster a strong security culture at all levels of the organization.

Hosting Ciberseguridad al Descubierto at the Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes reinforces the commitment to the protection of systems, data, and people, highlighting the importance of collaboration among professionals, institutions, and disciplines to successfully tackle current and future cybersecurity challenges, especially in sectors as essential as healthcare.

Last Friday, our colleague Dámaso Sánchez took part in the workshop “Opportunities and Roles in the Blue Chain”, held at the Visitors’ Building of the Port of Gijón and organized by ASATA and the Port Authority of Gijón within the framework of the European project #BluePoint.

The event brought together companies, social economy entities, and entrepreneurial ecosystem agents with a shared goal: turning marine plastic pollution into new business opportunities. Through participatory dynamics and innovative tools, attendees explored synergies and potential collaborations to advance toward a more circular and sustainable management of marine resources. Our organization values the opportunity to take part in this co-creation space and reaffirms its commitment to the blue economy and sustainability in Asturias.

On November 14, Avilés will host the celebration of World Quality Day, in a session focused on cybersecurity that will feature leading figures from the sector, including Cristina Caldueño, Chief Operating Officer at Castroalonso.

On November 14 at 9:30 a.m., Avilés will be the venue for a special event marking World Quality Day, dedicated to #Cybersecurity. Cristina Caldueño, Chief Operating Officer at Castroalonso, will take part in a roundtable discussion alongside experts such as Santos González, Director of the Castroalonso Chair of Cybersecurity and Digital Environment; Enrique Pérez de Tena, from the Joint Cyberspace Command (MCCE); and Félix A. Barrio, General Director of INCIBE. Moderated by Olalla Pena Fraga, the session will explore the challenges and opportunities of cybersecurity in both business and public sectors, highlighting the role of innovation and quality in digital protection.

Last week we took part in the International Cybersecurity Congress organized by Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio and Universidad de Oviedo, with the support of INCIBE. Three intense days with international experts in mathematics, cryptography, and education, where our colleague Alejandro Mier González contributed our ethical and humanistic perspective on defense and cybersecurity.

This congress left us with valuable learnings, reunions, and the excitement of witnessing how science, technology, and values come together to promote a more human approach to cybersecurity. At Castroalonso, we remain committed to projects that arise from sincere and humble collaboration between institutions, professionals, and students, because we believe the future is built on shared knowledge.

This Monday, the 22nd, the course on Administrative Management of R&D&I Projects Funded by CDTI and European Programs, promoted by the Gijón City Council, has begun and we will be delivering it until October 31st.

We are delighted to begin the training of technical-administrative staff specialized in the management of publicly funded R&D&I projects. This course places special emphasis on the framework of European projects, CDTI, and the European Data Spaces, providing key tools and knowledge for the successful management of these programs. We are very motivated and grateful for the opportunity to deliver this course, and we look forward to sharing our experience and supporting the participants in their professional development over the coming sessions.

Programa de Recualificación. Gestión administrativa de proyectos I+D+i financiados por CDTI y programas europeos. Plazo de inscripción abierto | Web de Gijón

On September 9th, an enriching working lunch was held with young entrepreneurs as part of the JOVEN EMPRENDA 2025 Clinic Program.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Kike Riesgo from FIDA Consultores for the invitation, for his generosity and vision, and to all the Asturian companies and organizations that attended the meal.

Between June 3 and 6, 2025, the V edition of the C1b3rWall Congress will take place at the National Police Academy of Spain. University of Oviedo’s “Castroalonso” Chair of Cybersecurity & Digital Landscape is one of the sponsors of the event.

You can consult all the information about the congress at the following link: Congress – C1b3rWall (policia.es)

On February 12, WITH will organize a #WITHtalks session in Gijón focused on reflecting on new leadership models and the growth opportunities they represent for companies.

WITH is an ecosystem of women leaders and companies whose objective is to promote new leadership models that are inclusive, authentic, connected and adapted to the current environment, also transcending the gender issue. WITH promotes this purpose through a methodology called Connect, think, do, inspired by open innovation.

Agenda:

16:00 – 16:15 Registration and welcome

16:15 – 18:00 Between Nosotr@s: we will start the afternoon with a dynamic presentation and connection between the attendees.

18:00 – 18:30 Networking Coffee

18:30 – 19:00 Keynote on New Leadership Models: Marisol Menéndez, founder and CEO of WITH, presents WITH in Asturias making us reflect on New Leadership Models.

19:30 – 20:00 Panel: The New Leadership Models: leaders from the Asturian business scene and the WITH network from all over Spain will share their experience and vision on the keys to the New Leadership Models.

Panelists:

Cristina Fernández Caldueño, Director of Operations at Castroalonso
Elena Gutiérrez Pérez del Notario, founder and CEO of Ananda
Maylin Vergara Reyes, president of Mujeres Migradas Emprendedoras
Gemma Cascales, CEO of SMH Marketing
Carlos Ranera, managing partner of the northern zone at ONTIER
Moderator: Marisol Menéndez, founder and CEO of WITH

20:00 – 21:00 Cocktail and networking

More information: https://we-with.com/withtalks-asturias-2025/