Utrecht, 6 November 2023 - On 1 and 2 November 2023, the first edition of Cybersec Netherlands took place at Royal Jaarbeurs. The trade fair, dedicated to everything related to cybersecurity, was attended by over 2,100 experts, professionals and interested parties from both the Netherlands and abroad. With a rich array of speakers, workshops and panel discussions, Cybersec Netherlands offered a wealth of information and insights on the latest developments in cybersecurity.
The first day of the fair began with a series of inspiring presentations. For example, government cybersecurity advisor Brenno de Winter gave a keynote on the NSI2 regulation, the directive that requires EU member states to put in place stricter, uniform cybersecurity standards for specific (vital) companies and institutions. Jaya Baloo, chief security officer of security guard Rapid7, zoomed in on how we can together defend our infrastructure from attackers and learn from past and present conflicts.
There was also a special block devoted to the theme of cyber warfare. Cybersecurity expert Don Eijndhoven researched the digital warfare between Russia and Ukraine. His main conclusion: if you organise security well, then as a small country you can hold your own when a cyber superpower attacks your country, society and critical infrastructure. The crucial factor is cooperation. Ukraine, for instance, received help from affiliated hacker groups, other states and commercial parties. Eijndhoven: "Ukraine has prepared for this war very well digitally. They survived the first wave of attacks and Russia's digital clout was weakened as a result. Because of this, you have to conclude that cybersecurity really works."
The second day's exhibition continued with an additional focus on two cybersecurity themes: AI security and OT security. Cybersecurity experts Peter Zinn and Dave Maasland and trend watcher Richard van Hooijdonk cited the role of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity. AI can be used both as an attack mechanism and a defence technique, with the winner being the one who deploys the solution fastest. A doomsday scenario of a war between algorithms is looming, but with proper agreements and regulation, the experts said this 'soup' will not be eaten so hot.
The afternoon included a block of three sessions on OT security. OT stands for operational technology, which is slightly different from information technology (IT). OT and IT are almost always connected, though, and when OT technology gets an internet connection, huge risks arise for both environments. Security expert Fred Streeland showed in his keynote how, for example, a data centre can be at risk via things like a smart doorbell, energy systems or the sprinkler system. Ethical hackers Daan Keuper and Thijs Alkemade then explained how they managed to find such weaknesses in industrial machines. The block ended with a substantive discussion between security directors from different sectors.
Mick den Dijker, exhibition manager Cybersec Netherlands: "After the success of Cybersec Europe, a successful first edition of Cybersec Netherlands has now taken place. With great launch partners and a fantastic team, I am happy to contribute to a better and safer digital landscape with this trade fair. The main goal is to create ever greater awareness about cybersecurity together with our partners. Cybersec Netherlands shows that cybersecurity is not only a growing important topic, but also that the Netherlands is increasingly profiling itself as a leading player in this industry."
The organisers confidently look forward to the second edition of Cybersec Netherlands on 6 and 7 November 2024 at Royal Jaarbeurs. Outside the Netherlands, Cybersec Asia will take place on 31 January and 1 February 2024 and Cybersec Europe in Brussels on 29 and 30 May 2024.
