Register for the SIDN TechTalk on 29 October

SIDN operates at the heart of the Dutch internet. Often in partnership with universities and other higher education centres. And often participating in national and international working groups concerned with abuse, security and data. We also maintain close ties with a variety of technical and other bodies in the Netherlands. As a result, we have expertise in many key fields, which we love to share with the internet community.

Who's TechTalk for?

Technical professionals and students from the Arnhem region who are passionate about their field, open to new developments and keen to share their knowledge.

Programme

18:00 – 19:00: Reception

Don't go eating before you arrive! The programme includes an enjoyable, free evening meal.

19:00 – 19:45: Talk 1

Why more threat intelligence does not automatically lead to greater security – Ferry Stelte, CISO at SIDN

Cybersecurity professionals are inundated daily with reports, threat intelligence, news articles and commercial threat intelligence feeds. Yet more information does not automatically lead to better security.

In this TechTalk, Ferry Stelte, CISO at SIDN, demonstrates how organisations can use intelligence to make their security programmes more targeted and effective. Not by gathering even more information, but by first determining what information is actually needed to make sound decisions.

Using practical examples, he explains the difference between information, intelligence and information needs. He also explains why purchasing a threat intelligence feed does not automatically mean you have access to actionable intelligence. Furthermore, he demonstrates how a sound understanding of threats, risks and organisational objectives can help prioritise investments in cybersecurity and minimise costs.

The session will also examine current developments such as NIS2 and the growing focus on threat intelligence within compliance and risk management programmes. In this context, Ferry poses a thought-provoking question: do organisations actually fulfil the intent of these requirements, or do they primarily purchase information without first determining what insights they actually need?

A session for security professionals, IT specialists and students who want to look beyond the latest threats and understand how intelligence can guide strategy, risk assessments and security measures.

About Ferry

Ferry Stelte is CISO at SIDN and spends his days exploring how organisations can use their limited time, budget and attention as effectively as possible for cybersecurity. With a background in systems administration, consultancy and security, he combines technical knowledge with a strong focus on risks, governance and decision-making.

During this session, Ferry will explain how intelligence is used within SIDN to assess risks, select measures and guide the security programme, with the aim of achieving greater focus, better decisions and less waste of time and budget.

19.45 - 20.30 uur: Talk 2

Counter-intelligence in the AI era: new tools, old rules – Erik van Dijk, Threat Intelligence Product Manager at Orange Cyberdefence

The wheel is still round – perhaps it’s just spinning a bit faster! What Erik learnt at the intelligence services about asking the right questions – before you even begin gathering information – is precisely what still determines today whether AI and threat intelligence actually deliver results, or merely generate more noise. In this TechTalk, Erik contrasts the fundamentals of the intelligence profession with the current AI hype: what is really changing, and what remains (for now) the same? Using accessible examples – from a simple purchasing decision to securing an organisation such as SIDN – he demonstrates that good decision-making is not a matter of more data, but of asking the right questions. And that everyone, from engineers to policymakers, plays a part in this and can do their bit.

About Erik

Erik van Dijk began his career with the Ministry of Defence and subsequently joined the Dutch intelligence services, specialising in counter-intelligence. More than 16 years later, he is applying that same way of thinking within the cybersecurity sector, as a threat intelligence product manager – following roles as CTI Manager, Risk Manager and Intelligence Adviser.

Whatever his title, one thing remained constant: the conviction that good intelligence is the foundation of almost every decision – from planning a holiday to making a strategic choice in the workplace. Erik takes you through the fundamentals of the intelligence profession, whilst always keeping an eye on how AI is changing (and not changing) this field.

20:30 – 21:00: Chat and refreshments

Where is it?

At our offices in Arnhem. Address: Meander 501, 6825 MD Arnhem, The Netherlands

What does it cost?

Nothing!

Language

The presentations will be made in Dutch.

Interested?

If you want to attend our TechTalk, you must register for the event on Meetup. We only have space for 60 participants! So register soon to avoid missing out on the SIDN TechTalk on 29 October.

Join our Meetup group for news of all our upcoming TechTalks.

Registration/cancellation

The SIDN TechTalk is a free event. However, organising it does cost money. If you've registered but find you can't make it, please let us know promptly, so we can give your place to someone else.