3 Takeaways from The International CyberSecurity Forum #FIC2022

1 - The FIC: a major pan-European event

For 3 days, Lille Grand Palais was transformed into an anthill with more than 450 stands of tech experts, entrepreneurs and researchers, spread over an area of 20,000m². EuraTech was a partner participant, together with some of our cybersecurity superstar startups:

• Allistic (Specialist in information systems security governance and secured infrastructure architecture)
• Cryptr (Secured & Frictionless Customer login, codeless & editable self-hosted authentication.)
• OverSOC (Helps cybersecurity and network experts monitor their IT infrastructure in real time)
• Yourax (Cybersecurity consulting and solutions for enterprises)
• Skapánê (AI-based automisation of cybersecurity processes)

More than 14,000 cybersecurity industry experts got together to talk cybersecurity challenges and solutions in a diverse program that included conferences, round tables, demos, and pitches.

2 - Cybersecurity, a pillar in building a stronger European Tech sovereignty

At the heart of the debate: the multiplication of cyberattacks (partly due to COVID-related increased digital activity), and the most innovative solutions employed to prevent and solve them.

Xavier Bertrand, President of the Hauts-de-France Region, spoke about the war in Ukraine, and how cybersecurity is literally a question of life or death in the virtual frontlines: "the multiple geopolitical contexts raise serious doubts about the intentions of certain countries in terms of cybercrime". He also stressed the importance of preparing for a "computer pandemic" and the risk of paralysis of the country in case of massive attacks.

Our mission then should be, as it is for EuraTech as a leading European startup incubator, to promote the strengthening of the European tech ecosystem by supporting the growth of the European tech champions of tomorrow, giving Europe the potential to be a cybersecurity world leader.

3 – EuraTech: The first regional Cyber Campus to be certified by the French cybersecurity agency

France’s National Cyber Campus is a place of synergy between different stakeholders in the sector. To meet today's challenges and spread French know-how, a territorial cybersecurity network is being created, and EuraTech is the first campus to join the Paris headquarters!

Announced at the FIC, the 3,000 m² "Hauts-de-France Lille Métropole Cyber Campus" will launch in EuraTech’s WENOV building in the fall of 2022. Companies, startups, government services, training organisations, research workers and associations will take part of this cyber campus of excellence.

4 strategic missions will be at the heart of this project operated by EuraTech and largely financed by the European Metropolis of Lille and the Hauts-de-France Region:

• Operation: prevent and react to attacks,
• Innovation: bringing out the champions of tomorrow,
• Training: raising awareness and training future talent,
• Mobilisation: federate and animate the ecosystem.

For Nicolas Brien, Chairman of EuraTech's Management Board, the creation of this new campus "confirms the ambition to make EuraTech a leading tech spot in Europe for bringing cybersecurity and innovation stakeholders together". He added that this Campus will be "the keystone of the cyber ecosystem in Northern Europe". An opportunity not to be missed, especially for startups in the sector and all other disruptive technologies!