Belgacom Board of Directors approves cyber security action plan
Today, the Belgacom Board of Directors approved the cyber security plan that the company aims to implement to guarantee the security of its IT and telecom systems in the future. With this plan, Belgacom will provide a strong response to current security issues following the recent wave of international cyber espionage. The plan incorporates lessons learned from the hacking incident that the company itself faced.
"Cyber security has always been a major priority for Belgacom", says Geert Standaert, Chief Technology Officer, "not just within our company but also with respect to customers. It is this focus on security which enabled us to detect and deal with the intrusion into our IT systems in September. And thanks to that successful clean-up, we are now able to monitor and protect our telecom environment more effectively. We acquired invaluable knowledge and experience".

Standaert refers to "a new social reality" for the telecom sector, in which the protection of customer data and privacy are more important than ever. The new cyber security plan, a supplement to current efforts, consists of a wide range of actions in four different areas: organizational measures and governance; the development of a cyber-security culture; best-in-class security of IT platforms and networks; and the creation of a Cyber Defense Unit exclusively devoted to detecting and solving cyber incidents. It is a multi-year plan for which an extra investment of EUR 15 million will be freed in 2014.

"There isn't a single company that can offer zero risk when it comes to cyber-crime,"stresses Stefaan De Clerck, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Belgacom,"especially in cases of international state espionage, as in the case we experienced a few months ago. But with this plan we nevertheless intend to assume our share of responsibility as a telecom operator. To achieve a lasting solution over time, it is vital for all the stakeholders concerned, both in the private sector and the government, to further strengthen and coordinate their efforts in the field of cyber defense. Belgacom calls for a strict and clear legal framework at European level, which can support operators in their efforts to protect the privacy of their customers as much as possible."

Geert Standaert also believes that transparency and cooperation between operators is essential.

"At the international level, Belgacom is Chairman of the ETIS platform on security issues, which brings together the major European telecom operators. We have had various informal contacts in the past few months and systematically share specific information and know-how with the sector via the competent authorities, the BIPT and the CERT. Given the importance of this issue, it goes without saying that we need to join all forces available.".

The Chairman of the Belgacom Board of Directors will soon present the action plan to the government and, if need be, to the Parliament.

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