Insights from the Coalition Community
Belgian Cyber Security Coalition
Promotes a vibrant and robust cybersecurity ecosystem in Belgium by bringing together experts across sectors
Dear Coalition members and supporters,
As we approach the summer holiday period, the world of cybersecurity is in full swing. Generative AI is emerging as a double-edged sword, capable of creating new forms of cyber threats. A recent attack on Doctolib, France's leading medical appointment booking website with 11 million monthly visits, exemplifies this. The attack, the first known to leverage AI, was notable for its ability to adapt to countermeasures in real time.?
The future, viewed through the lens of AI, promises challenging times ahead. To tackle these evolving threats, we must accelerate training and research while also promoting inclusion and gender equality. Laurie-Anne Bourdain, president of Women4Cyber Belgium Chapter, emphasizes that only 23% of cybersecurity teams are currently composed of women.
She argues that increasing the presence of women and leveraging their diverse skills are strategic imperatives for addressing changing threats and enhancing the sector's appeal.?
Diversity and inclusion, both in terms of team composition and digital accessibility as promoted by DigitAll, are essential responses to the evolving threat landscape and the expanding digital universe. We are proud to champion this cause within the Cyber Security Coalition. We hope you enjoy the holidays and find value in reading this newsletter.?
Initiatives in the ecosystem
Manifesto, Insecure by design
Cloud providers rely on customers to implement secure configurations, controls and policies. This has led to a situation where infrastructures are poorly configured and insecure by default, with most organisations unable to afford this challenge. Change is needed, shifting the responsibility for implementing basic cybersecurity from the customer to the supplier.
This is why the Cyber Security Coalition has signed the Manifesto advocating for vendors to integrate baseline security controls into their user infrastructure by default. Learn more .? ?
Women4Cyber Belgium
W4C Belgium has become a legal entity. For its president Laurie-Anne Bourdain, parity and inclusiveness in cybersecurity are not just a question of equity or representativeness, it is a strategic imperative that strengthens the resilience and effectiveness of measures to protect information and systems. It also increases the attractiveness of cyber-related professions. Read the article. ?
DigitALL
Digital exclusion is not only a factor of social exclusion, but also an obstacle to business competitiveness. With the rise of generative AI, illiteracy will affect a greater number of people. The DigitAll coalition, consisting of over 120 organizations, is working on this issue. However, progress is fragmented. We need a coherent strategy supported by all levels of government. Along with 63 other CEOs and ambassadors, Jan De Blauwe, on behalf of the Cyber Security Coalition, has signed the DigitAll Open Letter, calling on future regional and federal governments to support DigitAll's mission by following its three recommendations for a digitally inclusive Belgium.
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NEWS?
The Coalition contributed to the 'Future of Work' dossier published by MediaPlanet for Trends Magazine. In the article 'Artificial Intelligence is a Double-Edged Sword,' our chair Jan De Blauwe highlights the growing talent shortage in cybersecurity. While AI is a powerful tool, professionals like analysts, developers, PEN testers, and ethical hackers must stay ahead of the latest criminal techniques to identify new vulnerabilities. The way forward is to embrace AI enthusiastically while ensuring critical information remains secure. Read the Dutch article here.
Cyber Security Awards campaign 2024? The Cyber Security Coalition is excited to announce the fourth edition of Belgium’s Cyber Security Awards! This esteemed event celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening cyber resilience in Belgium. This year, we are introducing the Privacy Professional of the Year award alongside other categories such as the Cyber Security Personality, CISO, Researcher and Young Professional awards. Whether you are a leader, innovator, or technical expert, we encourage you to apply for these prestigious awards. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your achievements and help create a safer, more privacy-respectful digital environment!?
Save the date of December 4th in your calendar for the Awards ceremony and apply before October 4th :? Belgium’s Cyber Security Awards - Home 2024 Application ( cybersecuritycoalition.be ) ?
领英推荐
General Assemblies 2024
During the spring 2024 General Assemblies, the board was extended with two new directors, and the amended articles of association were approved. We are pleased to introduce our new directors:?
Karine Goris has been leading digital security efforts at Belfius since its inception. With a background in economics and experience as a computer science professor, Karine transitioned to cybersecurity after holding various roles in engineering and architecture. As the chair of the cybersecurity working group at FEBELFIN and a respected speaker, she actively contributes to enhancing security across businesses and society.?
Stéphane Vince is the Director of Technology and Digital Administration at L’Agence du Numérique. He oversees the CyberWal programme under Digital Wallonia. This initiative is dedicated to bolstering cyber maturity across Wallonia through comprehensive efforts in awareness, training, research, and dissemination. In addition to his leadership in CyberWal, he provides strategic guidance to Walloon administrations on digital transformation, including data management and security practices.?
EVENTS??
Past events
Cybersec Europe 2024
The Coalition was present with a booth at Cybersec Europe, and co-organized a panel discussion on the evolving role of CISOs. We explored the necessity for CISOs the need for them to master both the technological aspects and the business needs, while collaborating effectively. Naturally, the impact of AI and quantum computing was a major topic, highlighting both the opportunities and the associated risks. We also delved into the complexities of current regulations, such as the Cyber Resilience Act and NIS-2. There was a clear call for improved education and practical tools to ensure compliance. Discover the key insights from these conversations in this article. Read more .
Application Security – 6 June 2024
At the Application Security Experience Sharing Day in Leuven, Bart van Buitenen illustrated how the concept of Privacy By Design, integrating data protection from the very beginning of the development cycle, can be applied at every stage of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This proactive approach involves modelling privacy threats during the design stage, aligning security and privacy requirements during development, and verifying privacy features during testing. He also shared best practices for successful implementation of Privacy by Design. Read more .
The OWASP Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM) offers a holistic approach to improving application security, going beyond simple certifications such as ISO27001 or SOC2. This open-source framework helps organizations assess and strengthen their software security practices by integrating measurable action plans covering technology, processes and people. SAMM enables the maturity of security practices to be measured through scores based on precise criteria. This model provides a structured method for monitoring and improving application security while fostering a positive security culture. Aram Hovsepyan shared his recent experiences with implementing SAMM at the Application Security Sharing Day. Read more .
Forthcoming events
BE-CYBER Experience Sharing Event – 8 October 2024??
Join us for the third BE-CYBER Experience Sharing Day, sponsored by Agoria and the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB). This premier event addresses crucial topics such as transposing the NIS2 Directive into national law and features Miguel De Bruycker, CCB's Managing Director General, delivering a keynote. Tracks include discussions on threat intelligence sharing, cybersecurity assurance, leadership in cyber defence, and critical infrastructure implementations. We conclude the day with a surprise entertainment act and ample networking opportunities. Explore how to 'Secure Belgium's Digital Future' and engage with industry leaders to enhance cybersecurity practices in Belgium.?Here is a sneak peek at the programme in progress .
New Coalition publication?
The white paper on Enterprise Security Architecture (ESA) released by the ESA Focus Group addresses sustainable security planning based on business objectives for organizations of all sizes. It emphasizes the need for risk mitigation in the face of digital advancements and increased cyber threats. ESA offers a strategic framework for a comprehensive security strategy tailored to specific risks, yet it remains poorly understood. This primer demystifies ESA, outlining its business value, success factors, and implementation steps, and provides insights for CIOs and CISOs. By the end, readers will be equipped to discuss and implement ESA within their organizations, enhancing cybersecurity preparedness.?
?Members in the picture
The Coalition highlights two members, both serving as permanent chairs of our focus groups,? who believe that inclusion is crucial for enriching the sector. Ulrich Seldeslachts is actively advocating for greater commitment and knowledge sharing among members to align expertise and bridge the varying levels of maturity within the group. Similarly, Kurt Gielen , the initiator of the focus group on cybersecurity in the healthcare sector, emphasizes that knowledge sharing and community building are essential for addressing challenges collaboratively and effectively.??
Look out for the new edition of Cyber Pulse in September. Wishing everyone a relaxing break and the chance to recharge your batteries, so we can all return refreshed and ready to tackle the cybersecurity challenges ahead.?