“We praise Belgium’s pro-active engagement in cybersecurity”
Decamps began by underscoring the profound shift in cyber security over the past decade. “Ten years ago, cyber security was an emerging discipline. Approaches were fragmented, and the full scope of the risks was not yet understood. Today, cyber space is a recognised arena of warfare, where state and non-state actors continuously develop sophisticated tools to exploit digital dependencies.”
This shift has made cyber security not only a technical challenge but a fundamental aspect of geopolitical security. With the growing integration of cyber operations in modern conflicts, Ludwig Decamps pointed to the war in Ukraine as a stark example of how cyber warfare has become a core component of military strategy: “NATO’s close collaboration with Ukrainian cyber security teams has provided invaluable insights into the tactics used to disrupt military communications, critical infrastructure and civilian services.”
NATO’s strategic approach to cyber security
The keynote speaker detailed NATO’s evolution in addressing cyber threats, emphasising the organisation’s recognition of cyber space as an operational domain in 2016. “Since then, NATO has integrated cyber defence into its strategic posture, treating digital security with the same level of importance as land, sea and air defence.”
“A pivotal milestone came in 2021 when NATO adopted its first-ever Cyber Defence Policy, affirming that a cyberattack on a Member State could, in principle, trigger Article 5, the alliance’s collective defence clause. This policy underscores the growing recognition that cyber operations can bring economies to a standstill and disrupt national security without a single missile being fired.”
To counter these threats, NATO has strengthened its own cyber defences, investing heavily in secure communications and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Decamps highlighted the importance of industry partnerships, noting that NATO is embracing Zero Trust architectures, quantum-resistant cryptography, and AI-driven threat detection to stay ahead of adversaries.
The role of Belgium and the private sector
Belgium plays a crucial role in NATO’s cyber security efforts, housing key institutions such as NATO headquarters and the NCIA. “We praise Belgium’s proactive engagement in cyber resilience, particularly through initiatives like the Cyber Security Coalition, which fosters trust and collaboration between government, industry and academia.”
He called on Belgian cyber security professionals to engage more deeply with NATO, stating: “We need your solutions, your expertise and your talent. Cyber security is a shared challenge, and success depends on strong partnerships.” He also highlighted NATO’s growing demand for skilled professionals, urging young talent and underrepresented groups to consider careers in cyber security.
Preparing for the next decade
As the event celebrated 10 years of progress, Ludwig Decamps left the audience with a clear message: “We cannot afford to wait for the next crisis to force us into action. The time to strengthen our defences, expand our partnerships, and invest in the future of cyber security is now. With state-sponsored cyber operations on the rise and artificial intelligence transforming both defensive and offensive capabilities, Belgium and its cyber security community must remain at the forefront of innovation.
