Entrepreneurs to visit NATO cyberdefence centre

A group of Belgian employers and entrepreneurs are due to visit NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in the Estonian capital Tallinn on Wednesday. Flemish vice-minister president Bart Somers will lead the delegation from Flanders.

The centre regularly receives visitors from universities or industrial players such as Siemens and Microsoft. A delegation from the Belgian federal government has also previously visited. However, this is the first opportunity for entrepreneurs to visit.

"Companies are sometimes reluctant to have their equipment tested, even by NATO"

"Our entrepreneurs will be given a guided tour by the deputy director," said Pieter Leuridan of Voka, the Flemish chamber of commerce. The group will also receive a theoretical presentation on cybersecurity and take part in an exercise in which a company or country's critical infrastructure is subjected to a stress test.

"Companies are sometimes reluctant to have their equipment tested, even by NATO," Leuridan said. "They would rather not outsource this kind of security. However, it's necessary to have our equipment examined by specialists."

About 30 researchers work at the centre, known as the CCDCOE, as well as strategic analysts, lawyers and military personnel. Estonia is one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world. "Flanders is committed to digitalisation, and Estonia is leading the way in Europe in terms of digital services," says Somers.

(BRV)

^{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish vice-minister president Bart Somers © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}