PIB Germany Event 2023: Sharing Knowledge and Enhancing Collaboration in Cybersecurity
Published on HSD: On 14 November 2023, the Partners for International Business (PIB) Programme Germany organised an event in München: “Zusammenarbeit in der Cybersicherheit: Die wichtigsten Aufgaben für die Unternehmensführung”. The aim of the event was to bring together Dutch and German organisations and to stimulate collaboration and exchanges of knowledge in the field of cybersecurity. At the same time, C-suite decision-makers were able to gain relevant insights into the most important cybersecurity areas and developments. Chairman of the event was Erik Jan Hengstmengel, Liaison Officer PIB Cybersecurity Germany.
The day started off with a warm welcome by Mira Woldberg, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Germany, where she addressed the importance of cybersecurity, the history of Bavarian-Dutch collaboration and the significance of working together. In addition, Dr. Hans Michael Strepp, Ministerial Director, Head of Department of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital, presented a speech on why cybersecurity is a topic that cannot be solved by one single country but requires collaboration. He also expressed his excitement on the establishment of partnerships between the Netherlands and Bavaria.
Keynotes and Paneldiscussion
Keynote speaker Dr. Silvia Knittl (Director Enterprise Security Architecture at PwC Deutschland) addressed Zero Trust as the basis for trust in the digital transformation. And Dimitri van Zantvliet, CISO at NS, touched upon the dilemmas and future of the NS-cyberstrategy. Dr. Silvia Knittl, Dimitri van Zantvliet and Chris van den Hooven (Senior IACS Security Consultant at Hudson Cybertec), also shared their insights during the 'Lessons Learned' panel discussion. Emily Jacometti (CO-CEO Hackshield Future Cyber Heroes) concluded the programme with a keynote on how to create a cyber safe generation.
Breakout Sessions
The PIB Germany members and several German organisations also took the floor by hosting various breakout sessions.
• Hudson Cybertec & Rhebo teamed up to talk about security in the cyber-physical world and specifically the ways how critical infrastructures can be protected.
• Guardian360 and The Bristol Group worked together to present a session on how to take control and ensure compliance with laws and regulations in order to create trust.
• Munich Re dived into the investments and risks of cybersecurity through a discussion on the interaction between cyber insurance requirements and residual cybersecurity risk.
• SecuMailer and Universität der Bundeswehr München collaborated to host an interactive session on the creation of a resilient cyber security culture through awareness on the one hand and enforcement on the other hand.
• GCS Cyber and Siemens Advanta joined forces to address the issue of how to attract much sought-after cyber specialists while taking diversity and inclusivity into account.
• EclecticIQ tackled the topic of monitor access and how one can protect their company from external cyber threats.
The day ended with some networking drinks and a relaxing dinner to discuss the topics of the programme, connect with each other and seal future collaborations.
Introducing Erik Jan Hengstmengel:
The Liaison for PIB Cybersecurity Germany
We are pleased to introduce Erik Jan Hengstmengel, the designated liaison for the Partners for International Business (PIB) Cybersecurity Germany program. The PIB program allows Dutch businesses to forge public-private partnerships and achieve their international ambitions. With the support of the Dutch government, these partnerships are empowered to develop tailor-made action plans spanning 2 to 3 years, enabling better market access for Dutch businesses. The PIB Cybersecurity Germany liaison, Erik Jan Hengstmengel, plays a pivotal role in this endeavor, building networks and facilitating collaboration for Dutch parties in southern Germany.
Erik Jan brings a wealth of experience to his role as a liaison. Having resided in Munich for 22 years, he has worked in various roles within the IT industry. His career spans 12 years as a business consultant for Capgemini, where he specialized in innovation, startup guidance, and change management. Additionally, he has served as an Interim Manager for prominent SMEs and family-owned companies, overseeing large-scale IT projects. Over the past decade, Erik Jan has held directorial positions in the German subsidiaries of two Dutch IT solutions and services providers. Throughout his professional journey, he has actively participated in various German-Dutch business networks.
What makes Erik Jan particularly suited for his liaison role is his deep understanding of cybersecurity. As a service provider, he was responsible for managing some of Germany's largest E-business platforms, making him well-versed in handling cyber incidents, data privacy, information security, and establishing robust systems and processes. Furthermore, he has also served as a crisis manager, aiding hacked companies in swiftly restoring their operations.
Identifying Opportunities
As the liaison, Erik Jan has two primary objectives. Firstly, he aims to position the Dutch Cybersecurity sector prominently in southern Germany. This entails engaging with companies, decision-makers, local authorities, potential partners, and other stakeholders, with the valuable support of the Dutch Consulate-General. Secondly, he strives to support PIB companies by identifying opportunities and forging connections with the cybersecurity sector and individual companies in southern Germany.
Erik Jan encourages all interested parties, including local stakeholders, to reach out to him for collaboration or further information about the cluster. His expertise and dedication will contribute significantly to the success of Dutch companies operating within the cybersecurity domain. Notably, the companies he mentors include Compumatica, EclecticIQ, Guardian360, Hudson Cybertec, Secquard, SecuMailer, SonicBee, Ubiqu, and Zynyo. Together, they form a formidable force in the realm of cybersecurity.
For those aiming to navigate the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity and look for sustainable partnerships, Erik Jan Hengstmengel is the trusted point of contact.
Contact Erik Jan Hengstmengel
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