On Tuesday 12 November 2024, I had the pleasure of attending the Tech & Meet event hosted by Howest. The highlight of the evening was a presentation from Cyber Command Belgium, which provided an in-depth look at their mission, the evolving cyber landscape, and the opportunities for collaboration and careers in cybersecurity.
The Presentation: Key Takeaways
The Cyber Command Belgium team delivered an engaging briefing, covering various aspects of their work and the growing importance of cybersecurity. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Cyberspace: The fifth operational domain
Cyberspace is now recognised as the fifth operational domain, alongside land, sea, air and space. This underlines its strategic importance in modern defence and national security. - Cyber threat landscape
The presentation outlined the main threats in cyberspace, such as sabotage, espionage, influence and crime. These threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting not only governments but also industry and civilians. - Mission of the Belgian Cyber Command
Established in October 2022, the Cyber Command (CyCOM) operates within the Service Générale de Renseignement et Sécurité (SGRS). Its main missions include:- Ensuring the cyber readiness of the military and internal security forces.
- Conducting cyber operations to counter and neutralise threats.
- Developing partnerships with industry, academia and allied forces to strengthen their cyber capabilities.
- Opportunities and recruitment
A significant part of the presentation focused on the various ways in which individuals can join Cyber Command. They emphasised the flexibility of joining, tailored to different career stages, and the rigorous training and clearance process required.- As a full-time career soldier.
- As a reservist, contributing a few days a year.
- As a civilian expert through consultancy or direct employment with the Belgian Defence.
Insights and personal reflections
This presentation was incredibly enlightening, especially in terms of the scope of the operations conducted by Cyber Command Belgium. From their efforts in defensive cybersecurity to their use of information warfare and tactics, it was clear that CyCOM is at the forefront of national and international cybersecurity efforts.
I was particularly intrigued by their focus on partnerships with educational institutions, which aligns with Howest’s reputation as a leading school for digital innovation. It was inspiring to see how collaboration between education and defence can shape the future of cybersecurity.
A call to action
For anyone considering a career in cybersecurity, Cyber Command Belgium offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to national defence while tackling some of the most challenging and evolving threats in the digital space. Their call to action is clear: whether you’re a student, a professional or simply curious about the field, there’s a place for you to contribute to the mission.
For those interested, the process begins with an application through their platform or by contacting them at joincyber@mil.be. The journey may involve rigorous testing, training and clearance, but the reward of being part of a cutting-edge cyber force is unparalleled.
Bottom line
Attending this event reinforced how important cyber security has become in protecting national interests. It was a privilege to hear directly from the experts shaping Belgium’s cyber defence strategy, and to explore the opportunities available in this critical area. I look forward to getting more involved in initiatives like this, and perhaps seeing some familiar faces join the ranks of Cyber Command Belgium in the future.
