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Belgium 27-8-26 AB Members Physical english
CIO agendas are crowded: cost pressure, cyber, regulation, talent, data, AI, vendor dependency, business expectations. Most organisations are trying to do too much at once, and the “must-do” work often blocks the strategic work. CIONET only creates value if its agenda matches what CIOs truly need, in the right format, at the right time. The challenge Pick the few priorities that matter most for 2027, then translate them into a clear CIONET agenda. Outcome we leave with A ranked CIO agenda for 2027, and a directly aligned CIONET programme outline (themes, formats, cadence), with a shortlist of speaker and case targets.
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Belgium 27-8-26 Country Members Physical english
How to align people, shift routines, and prove value Technology transformations often fail not because the tools don’t work, but because people don’t change their work habits. Boards want proof of value, executives want business outcomes, IT wants clarity, and employees want ease. Between these expectations, the CIO’s role is no longer just to deliver platforms; it is to tell the story that motivates people and turn that story into daily habits. This session will explore: The narrative: how to craft a simple, repeatable story that explains the “why” behind change for every stakeholder. From story to routine: practical ways to embed new behaviours through manager rituals, team incentives, and visible leadership. Reskilling and new expectations: preparing teams for evolving roles, from cross-department collaboration to AI-enhanced workflows. Measuring what matters: showing progress in speed, quality, and resilience — not just in licences bought or trainings completed. The aim is to equip CIOs with a leadership toolkit: a story that unites, habits that endure, and proof that convinces even the toughest boardroom.
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Belgium 8-9-26 Invitation Only Virtual english
The AI architect role is becoming more visible, and the scope varies across organisations. The challenge is defining what the role owns, where it sits, and how it works with existing architecture, data, security, risk, and business teams. Three pressure points need clarity. - Role definition matters because the position can span solution architecture, data architecture, governance, integration, security, vendor selection, and business process design. - Interfaces matter because the role must connect teams while respecting existing responsibilities. - Skills matter because technical depth needs to be combined with judgement around controls, delivery choices, and operational boundaries. The working question is simple: how do we define the AI architect role so it becomes useful, credible, and connected to delivery? If this role is emerging in your organisation, let’s compare how others are defining it and where they are placing it.
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CIONET Trailblazer: CISO: The Shift from Prevention to Resilience: Turning Visibility into Execution
Published on: January 28, 2026 @ 9:48 AM
CIONET Trailblazer: AI Transformation: Bridging the Cultural Divide to Achieve Competitive Advantage
Published on: December 17, 2025 @ 9:16 AM
Helping Nationwide guard against changing security threats
Creating a security risk framework that makes banking safer.
Overview
Mobile and online banking are growing. Fast. But so are threats to IT and network security. With members using more digital services along with traditional channels, Nationwide wanted to take a fresh look at threat management and Operational resilience.
Looking for expertise, Nationwide’s IT Operations & Service Delivery team turned to us. Based on a long foundation of trust, and our solid track record, we joined forces. Together, we’re protecting Nationwide – now and in the future. Because keeping Nationwide’s members and their information assets secure is as important as ever.
In the world of retail banking, more people than ever are turning to mobile and online apps to manage their money. That gave Nationwide an opportunity to give customers more personalised services on the move. And now, with BT we continue to provide robust and secure services ”. - Daryl BrookesIT Ops & Service Delivery Director
The challenge
The security and protection of customer data is at the heart of Nationwide’s digital strategy. “With more of our services available digitally, it’s really crucial that we help members protect their data. For a while now at Nationwide, our executive board has had an intense focus on this area.”
It’s not only banks who are trying to tackle the threat landscape. The UK government is also trying to coordinate intelligence sharing in the industry. But on the front line, it’s banks that have the ultimate responsibility. The danger is real, and it’s changing and getting more intense all the time.
To cope with a shifting threat landscape, Nationwide needed an approach that wasn’t just rigorous. It had to be agile, too.
The solution
Nationwide awarded us a six‐year contract. It covers significant aspects of IT and network security, combining tried and tested methods with a new, dynamic way of working. Together, we discuss every security development – in the bank, the industry and worldwide – to see if it calls for a change in process. Nothing is too small.
Our service covers substantial aspect of Nationwide's security – from design and implementation to 24-hour proactive and reactive monitoring. We brought together products and services from lots of leading providers to make sure security's covered at every level.
The Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority are testing security controls and technologies together. As Nationwide’s security partner, we have to satisfy both our own quality criteria and industry standards – like ISO 20000 service management accreditation and PCI DSS conformance – while developing and maintaining comprehensive ITIL based services.
Nationwide and BT have a long relationship. A solid cultural fit and strong mutual trust mean the Nationwide executive board feels confident that we have the skills and resources needed. “We’re reassured by the deep expertise BT shows in securing its own global network and those of other large organisations and government agencies,” says Daryl.
The world’s largest building society teams up with BT to protect its assets from the threat landscape.
The result
For the first time, our operational teams are permanently based in Nationwide’s Enterprise Command Centre. Nationwide has focused its security strategy to deal with the changing nature of threats facing the retail banking industry, and IT organisations in general. And we’re supporting this, having created an environment that will stay ahead of today’s would‐be attackers – and be ready for whatever happens in the future.
Nationwide's security strategy and operational model is designed to grow and evolve rapidly. This allows it to be flexible and responsive in delivering more secure and better digital services to its customers.
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CIONET’s Cyber Circle: a new three-event programme exclusively focusing on the most urgent, complex, and high-impact challenges in cybersecurity today. Launched in 2026, this initiative brings together CISOs, CIOs, and senior IT executives with a strong interest in cybersecurity for three curated gatherings each year. As part of CIONET’s trusted executive community, the Cyber Circle provides a confidential, peer-driven environment to exchange insights, share real-world experiences, and address evolving cyber threats. Each session is designed to foster strategic dialogue, strengthen resilience, and elevate cybersecurity as a core driver of business value.
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The Telenet Business Leadership Circle powered by CIONET, offers a platform where IT executives and thought leaders can meet to inspire each other and share best practices. We want to be a facilitator who helps you optimise the performance of your IT function and your business by embracing the endless opportunities that digital change brings.
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Découvrez la dynamique du leadership numérique aux Rencontres de CIONET, le programme francophone exclusif de CIONET pour les leaders numériques en Belgique, rendu possible grâce au soutien et à l'engagement de nos partenaires de programme : Deloitte, Denodo et Red Hat. Rejoignez trois événements inspirants par an à Liège, Namur et en Brabant Wallon, où des CIOs et des experts numériques francophones de premier plan partagent leurs perspectives et expériences sur des thèmes d'affaires et de IT actuels. Laissez-vous inspirer et apprenez des meilleurs du secteur lors de sessions captivantes conçues spécialement pour soutenir et enrichir votre rôle en tant que CIO pair. Ne manquez pas cette opportunité de faire partie d'un réseau exceptionnel d'innovateurs numériques !
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CIONET is committed to highlighting and celebrating female role models in IT, Tech & Digital, creating a leadership programme that empowers and elevates women within the tech industry. This initiative is dedicated to showcasing the achievements and successes of leading women, fostering an environment where female role models are recognised, and their contributions can ignite progress and inspire the next generation of women in IT. Our mission is to shine the spotlight a little brighter on female role models in IT, Tech & Digital, and to empower each other through this inner network community.
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