A New Cybersecurity Model: Europe’s Turn

On the first day of Cybersec Europe (21–22 May), Charl van der Walt, Head of the Security Research Center at Orange Cyberdefense, will address Europe’s growing vulnerability in the field of cybersecurity. His keynote session, titled “Can we still rely on our traditional cybersecurity allies?”, explores the geopolitical shifts that affect Europe’s digital resilience.

With over 25 years of experience, Charl van der Walt offers a strategic perspective on the dependencies European countries have developed within digital infrastructure.
“For decades, Europe has benefited from a global order in which the United States played a protective role,” he explains. “But that role is increasingly under pressure.”

Van der Walt points to recent political and administrative instability in the United States as a sign that Europe can no longer unconditionally rely on American cyber support. A striking example is the disruption of critical agencies such as CISA, which supports programs like the MITRE CVE initiative. According to him, such incidents painfully underscore Europe’s heavy reliance on U.S. cyber capabilities.

Building for Ourselves

Charl van der Walt’s message is clear: Europe must take greater control of its own digital resilience. That means not only strengthening defensive capabilities but also investing in an independent, trustworthy technological infrastructure.
“We need to build a technology base that enables us to act on our own, without being blindly dependent on foreign providers,” he says.

Yet, he does not advocate isolation. On the contrary:
“Cybersecurity transcends borders. Instead of building walls, Europe can lead the way by developing a model of ethical, strategic cooperation—one that sets a global example.”

For policymakers, strategists, and security professionals, this is an invitation to think beyond firewalls and incident response. Van der Walt’s session aims to offer a deeper understanding of the geopolitical forces shaping Europe’s digital future.
Catch it on 21 May at 14:20, live on the main stage at Cybersec Europe.
And with it, the urgent question: How resilient is Europe in an increasingly unstable digital world?

Attend Cybersec Europe – Free Registration

This year’s Cybersec Europe takes place on 21 & 22 May in Brussels, welcoming renowned keynote speakers such as:

• Mario Beccia, Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity at NATO

• Max Schrems, privacy activist

• Despina Spanou, European Commission

• Inti De Ceukelaire, ethical hacker

There’s also a Tech Theatre with technical deep-dives, including a session by ransomware negotiator Geert Baudewijns.

Registration is free and now open: Cybersec Europe Registration

Later this year, Cybersec Netherlands returns on 10–11 September in Utrecht. Registration is already open – sign up to stay informed!