On Monday, December 9, 2024, Pointury hosted an engaging event focused on sharing experiences and insights into the implementation of the NIS2 Directive. The keynote speakers, Taco Mulder and Joost Daem, spearheaded a lively discussion on the practicalities, challenges, and successes of such implementations.
Held at the festive Salons van Edel in Wilrijk, the event provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss one of the most pressing topics in European cybersecurity.
What is NIS2?
NIS2, the second iteration of the Network and Information Systems Directive, is a landmark piece of legislation introduced by the European Union. Designed to bolster the cybersecurity resilience of its member states, NIS2 builds on its predecessor by introducing stricter requirements, broader scope, and more rigorous oversight mechanisms. Its aim is to secure the critical sectors that underpin the EU’s economy and society, such as energy, transport, banking, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and public administration.
As cyber threats evolve in scale and sophistication, the directive underscores the EU's proactive approach to harmonising cybersecurity standards and ensuring member states are adequately prepared to address vulnerabilities.
Keynote Highlights
Bridging Federal Efforts
Taco Mulder, Chief Information Security Officer at FOD BOSA, shared his extensive experience in applying NIS2 requirements across Belgian federal entities. Taco emphasized a balanced strategy that integrates people, processes, and technology to meet the directive's stringent security objectives. He elaborated on the practical steps for implementation, addressing topics such as risk assessments, incident reporting mechanisms, and supply chain security.
Challenges, Taco noted, often arise from the need to foster collaboration among stakeholders and adapt organizational cultures to prioritize cybersecurity. Yet, he pointed to the successes achieved so far, particularly in uniting professionals across sectors under a shared mission of cyber resilience. Taco also injected a dose of optimism by highlighting the enjoyable aspects of these efforts, such as the exchange of knowledge and networking opportunities that NIS2 fosters among security leaders.
A Multinational Perspective
Joost Daem, founder of E-Solutions and former CISO at PSA Antwerp, brought a global perspective to the discussion. Drawing on his experience in logistics, Joost explained how multinational organizations grapple with diverse legislative frameworks, not only across EU member states but also on other continents. He highlighted how these differences can complicate compliance but also create opportunities for harmonization through frameworks like NIST CSF and the Belgian-developed Cyberfundamentals (CyFun).
Joost stressed the importance of aligning NIS2 compliance strategies with global best practices while tailoring them to the unique needs of each sector. His insights into bridging local and international cybersecurity requirements resonated strongly with attendees, particularly those operating in cross-border industries.
A Collaborative Future
The event served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration in tackling cybersecurity challenges. Both Taco and Joost underscored that NIS2 is more than a regulatory requirement; it is an opportunity for organizations to strengthen their defenses and foster a culture of resilience.
In the spirit of the Christmas season, the event concluded with a message of unity and a shared commitment to safeguarding Europe’s digital future. Pointury’s initiative continues to set the stage for meaningful dialogue, enabling security leaders to share insights and drive collective progress in implementing NIS2.
With its combination of practical advice, thought leadership, and festive atmosphere, the event was a resounding success and a fitting end to the year for the cybersecurity community.
The event was supported by leading cybersecurity companies:
- Secureworks is a global cybersecurity leader that secures human progress with Secureworks® Taegis™, a SaaS-based, open XDR platform built on 20+ years of real-world detection data, security operations expertise, and threat intelligence and research. Taegis is embedded in the security operations of thousands of organisations around the world who use its advanced, AI-driven capabilities to detect advanced threats, streamline and collaborate on investigations, and automate the right actions.
- E-Solutions acts as your trusted advisor for cyber security strategy and execution, covering IT, OT, and Cloud. We offer expert guidance and implementation services to safeguard your digital assets and operations against evolving threats, ensuring resilience and peace of mind.
