null

Belgium 01-10-2026 Squad Only Virtual english

Letting Teams Build Safely with Low-Code, No-Code, and AI Tools. ; How to enable business-led development while keeping security, architecture, and support under control.

Low-code, no-code, and AI tools are giving business teams more ability to build solutions themselves. The challenge is setting the right boundaries before fast local solutions become important operational assets. Three pressure points need attention. - Boundaries must be clear: teams need to know what they can build alone and what requires IT, security, or architecture review. - Supportability matters when a quick solution becomes business-critical. - Risk control remains necessary around data access, compliance, security, process dependency, and maintenance. The working question is simple: how do we enable business-led development while keeping security, ownership, and support under control? If you are trying to enable this safely, let’s compare approaches with others facing the same balance.

Belgium 06-10-2026 All Members Physical english

The Token Trap: Reclaiming Control of Enterprise AI

As enterprise AI transitions from experimental Proofs of Concept (POCs) into real implementations, digital leaders are encountering a shared challenge: consumption-based public cloud token billing models do not fit neatly into traditional IT budgeting. Daily token consumption can rise unexpectedly, pushing expenses through the roof while arbitrary caps quickly kill momentum for innovation. For many CIOs, this raises an open strategic question: How do we keep costs under control while further stimulating innovation? During this interactive CIONET roundtable, we will explore among peers how to navigate AI tokenomics. Rather than treating public cloud LLMs as the default path, we will investigate how different execution environments, ranging from hybrid cloud setups and targeted on-premise models to specialised edge hardware, can help balance cost with performance. This session is intentionally designed as an open peer-to-peer exchange; a space to compare notes, challenge current ways of working and architectural setups, and discuss practical approaches to building predictable, scalable AI models.

Belgium 08-10-2026 All Members Physical english

The Permanent (R)evolution

Every large organisation has been through a major transformation, and most through several. The word transformation is misleading because it suggests a beginning and an end. But organisations that do well are the ones that have given up on the idea of arriving and realise that constant change has become the new norm, and missing a single cycle leaves you permanently behind. This evening, two leaders will share how they think about this, coming from opposite directions. John Porter led Telenet through a sustained period of reinvention spanning the pandemic, a full reorganisation into tribes, M&A, and a shift to a performance driven culture. Along the way, the IT department was dissolved and technology was embedded inside autonomous tribes that run as small businesses. There is no CIO at Telenet. It is Telenet Group’s purpose to become a digital-first, customer-centric organisation. To deliver on this ambition, it has embarked on a transformation journey built on three pillars: (i) the implementation of a scaled-agile operating model (organisation), (ii) the acceleration of digitisation and automation underpinned by optimised IT systems, platforms, and strategic technology partnerships (digitisation), and (iii) a performance leadership culture focused on accountability, ownership, and a change mindset (culture). Kris Vervaet, on the other hand, has just become CIO at KBC, the bank whose mobile app has been ranked best in the world three times and whose AI assistant Kate now handles 70% of customer queries on its own. But Kris is no ordinary CIO: he ran DPG Media Belgium as CEO, and KBC went looking for someone who has led transformation rather than someone who manages technology. So while one organisation got rid of the CIO role, the other reinvented it, and both are thriving. The conversation will range across organisational and IT redesign, the rise of digital-first customer experience, the impact of AI on how every business is run, and the harder questions of culture, talent and leadership. The question for every leader in the room is what that tells you about your own role, your own operating model, and the pace at which you are prepared to keep evolving.

Please Log In with your CIONET account first

SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare achieves full visibility with Trend Micro Vision One™

Trend Micro's cloud-based security solutions played a crucial role in supporting SIGNAL IDUNA's digital transformation, providing efficient and cost-effective protection while reducing the burden on IT infrastructure.

OVERVIEW

The pandemic accelerated the global digital transformation process, resulting in significant changes in the Romanian insurance market. For SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare, the digitization of most of the company’s processes allowed employees to quickly benefit from a series of operational and technical measures that enabled them to continue working remotely.

"Trend Micro’s integrated solutions have proven to be very efficient and cost- effective. With the cloud- based subscription model, the burden of our IT infrastructure has been relieved, and our cybersecurity staff can focus on enterprise business security."

Andreea Grafu - IT Manager, SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare

CHALLENGES

While increased digitalization allowed SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare to work remotely, they now faced the challenge of maintaining a secure working environment. Most importantly, they needed to provide customers with an adequate level of data security. Moreover, today’s business world is becoming increasingly connected. The number and quality of cyberattacks are constantly increasing with the development of information technologies. To solve these challenges, SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare wanted to implement a dynamic approach to cybersecurity that can defend against the ever-growing number of threats.

WHY TREND

The company was already using Trend Micro solutions but decided to expand its cybersecurity solutions to cover a broader area of network layers. When Trend Micro was initially selected as the security solutions provider, all alternative security solutions were considered alongside industry analyst recommendations. To protect the entire integrated environment, additional Trend Micro solutions were introduced, allowing IT staff to manage security more effectively across all areas.

SOLUTION

SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare is now using Trend Micro Vision One with multi-layer, extended detection and response (XDR) capabilities, which secure email, endpoints, servers, cloud resources and the network, providing complete visibility and faster response. The SaaS solution featured automatic upgrades and updates, further reducing IT infrastructure costs.

RESULTS

The implementation only took six months to complete. SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare’s cybersecurity was enhanced by aggregating and analyzing the activity of various IT infrastructure assets and improving visibility. Trend Micro’s solutions have proven to be highly efficient and easy to maintain, while making a significant difference to the company’s infrastructure. The cloud subscription model allows for more time to focus on establishing business security policies rather than ensuring solutions are updated to the latest version. The implementation of Trend Micro solutions also made it possible to meet all compliance regulations related to data security, both Romanian and European. This is an extremely important aspect for customers when choosing service providers.

WHAT'S NEXT

Implementing a dynamic approach to cybersecurity in the company ensures flexible adaptation to the ever-growing number of cyber threats. With automatic software updates to the latest versions, SIGNAL IDUNA Asigurare Reasigurare can stay current with latest Trend Micro security solutions, allowing their cybersecurity professionals to focus on standardizing the company’s data protection processes.

Technologies

Trend Vision One™ cloud security platform Vision One™ with Managed XDR

Partners

CIONET Business Circles

Cyber Circle

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.

Telenet Business Leadership Circle

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.

Les Rencontres

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 !

Female Leadership Circle

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.