Belgian army sets up cybersecurity department in Bruges
The Belgian army will establish a cybersecurity department in Bruges, specifically on the campus of the Howest University of Applied Sciences, which offers a master's programme in cybersecurity. The intention is that Defence will collaborate closely with the programme, so that cyber applications developed for business can also be applied militarily, reported VRT NWS.
The Cyber Command is the fifth component of the Belgian army, in addition to the land forces, air force, navy and medical component. The army's cyber component is based in Brussels. But Defence wants to move closer to the industry, universities and research centres. It therefore opened a year ago a first “Cyber Defence Factory” - a cybersecurity department - in Charleroi. Now a second will be set up in Bruges.
“Because our campus in Bruges is so close to the sea, we are going to focus on the maritime aspect"
“Bruges was for me the obvious location for a Flemish Cyber Defence Factory,” said Flemish MP and defence expert Jasper Pillen from Bruges to VRT NWS. He put those responsible within Belgian Defence in contact with Howest's management.
In doing so, Pillen underlined the assets of Bruges: “We have an excellent university college with a unique degree in cybersecurity, the proximity of other universities, military quarters, several companies active in the defence industry and, finally, the sea with all its assets is also nearby.”
Access to talent
“Because our campus in Bruges is so close to the sea, we are going to focus on the maritime aspect,” added Howest’s general director Frederik D'Hulster. He also pointed out that Howest has “more than one hundred students graduating in the cybersecurity domain every year”. “This is obviously a big advantage for Defence,” he declared. “By being based with us, it can have direct access to all that young talent."
#FlandersNewsService | The Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO HATIM KAGHAT
Related news
