Cybersecurity in the boardroom: the need for executive training
Cyber risk ranks among the top three business risks for any company and must be managed like any other major enterprise risk at the board level, says cybersecurity expert Freddy Dezeure. He will share his insights on how organizations can effectively address this challenge during Cybersec Europe on May 21 and 22. Meanwhile, boardroom training has become a legal requirement.
Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, while organizations struggle with complex IT and cloud infrastructures that are hard to secure. At the same time, new EU regulations have brought cybersecurity into the boardroom.
The new EU legislations — NIS2 and DORA — now mandate cybersecurity risk training for board members in many organizations. However, advisor Freddy Dezeure warns that companies should not treat this requirement as a mere compliance exercise. “It is our duty to empower board members to provide informed oversight of cyber risks,” Dezeure emphasizes.
In his presentation, “Train or Blame Your Board?”, he will share insights and best practices on how to truly equip executives for effective cyber governance.
Rising Threat Landscape
“Our adversaries are becoming more resourceful, better organized, and increasingly audacious,” warns Dezeure. This reality highlights the importance of board members being not only aware of cyber risks, but also capable of making strategic decisions that enhance cyber resilience.
As the founder of CERT-EU, the cybersecurity defense center for EU institutions, Dezeure has extensive experience navigating complex cyber threats. Since 2017, he has worked as a strategic advisor, helping both private companies and governments become more resilient.
Dezeure stresses that cybersecurity is not solely a technical domain: “Cyber isn’t a dark art — it deserves attention at the highest level,” he states. “We must stay informed by prioritizing our defenses, measuring gaps, and reporting regularly. This will have a transformational impact on organizational resilience.”
Collaboration is Key
A central theme in his work is the importance of collaboration and information sharing. Dezeure leads the EU MITRE ATT&CK User Community, the CISO Metrics Working Group, and the Cloud Security by Default initiative. Fittingly, Stronger Together is the main slogan of this edition of Cybersec Europe.
Freddy Dezeure will speak on Day 1 of Cybersec Europe: May 21 at 11:25 AM. His session promises valuable insights for cybersecurity professionals and board members aiming to protect their organizations in an increasingly challenging digital landscape.
Attend Cybersec Europe for Free
Cybersec Europe takes place on May 21 and 22 in Brussels, offering a platform to connect with experts, explore the latest innovations in cybersecurity, and gain valuable insights.
This year’s keynote speakers include Mario Beccia (Deputy CIO for Cybersecurity at NATO), privacy activist Max Schrems, Jan-Pieter D’Anvers (Cosic), digital transformation expert Selma Turki, and ethical hacker Inti De Ceukelaire. A new Tech Theatre will host technical sessions, including ransomware negotiator Geert Baudewijns. Registration is free via: Cybersec Europe Registration.
Later this year, Cybersec Netherlands returns on September 10–11 in Utrecht. Registration is already open.
