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Belgium 27-8-26 AB Members Physical english

Summer Festival: Advisory Board

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.

Belgium 27-8-26 Country Members Physical english

Summerfest: From Story to Habit

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.

Belgium 8-9-26 Invitation Only Virtual english

What an AI Architect Actually Does in Practice; Skills, responsibilities, interfaces, and career moves behind one of the most misunderstood emerging roles.

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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DealerSocket protects sensitive customer data in a hybrid cloud environment

Protects sensitive customer data in a hybrid cloud environment

OVERVIEW

DealerSocket is a leading provider of software solutions for the automotive industry, offering a suite of seamlessly integrated products to help dealers sell and service vehicles more profitably. Since 2001, more than 100 million vehicles have been sold through the company’s software platforms. DealerSocket’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) products include advanced customer relationship management (CRM), digital marketing and websites, vehicle inventory management, analytics reporting, dealer management systems for independent dealers, and solutions that streamline dealer operations.

Based in Dallas, Texas, DealerSocket also has offices throughout the U.S. and internationally. The company employs more than 1,000 team members, serving 300,000 active users at more than 9,000 dealerships. DealerSocket’s hybrid cloud environment combines Amazon Web Services (AWS) and VMware® data centers. The organization also uses containers for its growing DevOps practice.

CHALLENGES

DealerSocket’s top priority is protecting the credit data for more than 100 million auto sales for its customers. The company’s IT security team must protect this information on AWS and in its data centers to maintain compliance with regulations in the U.S. and worldwide. The effort was complicated by the acquisition of several new companies, which introduced a variety of tools into the mix.

“We needed to consolidate our security tools on a platform that was scalable, easy to deploy and use, as well as protect our cloud and virtual environments,” said Greg Tatum, director of DealerSocket’s network and security operations.

In addition to the need for broader and stronger security, DealerSocket wanted a solution that would support its DevOps operation. “DevOps presents unique security challenges,” said Tatum. “The move to DevOps requires security tools that our engineers and infrastructure teams can easily embed in applications, in real time as they are built.”

"We needed to consolidate our security tools on a platform that was scalable, easy to deploy and use, as well as protect our cloud and virtual environments."

Greg Tatum - Director of Network and Security Operations, DealerSocket

WHY TREND

When DealerSocket began its search for a new security solution, they wanted comprehensive reporting capabilities to support compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and other regulations. The solution had to be application programming interface (API)-driven, scalable, and easy to manage, install, and use. Finally, the solution would have to work seamlessly across Linux®, Microsoft® Windows®, Mac®, and virtual platforms.

Based on the results of the proof of concept, and on its reputation for innovative and effective solutions, Trend Micro was chosen among three vendors to provide the company’s security solution. “With a trusted partner like Trend Micro and its leadership in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant, our customers know their data is protected by one of the best companies in the business,” said Tatum.

"At DealerSocket, DevOps starts with engineering, infrastructure, and security leadership. We meet weekly to discuss the cultural changes required to make DevOps and security part of our culture."

Greg Tatum - Director of Network and Security Operations, DealerSocket

SOLUTION

DealerSocket selected Trend Micro™ Deep Security™ to use across all of its hosted infrastructure, including every endpoint within the AWS environment and in the data centers. “Deep Security is required as part of our security policy,” said Tatum. “A machine won’t go into the field unless Deep Security is installed.”

DealerSocket uses Deep Security’s antivirus, file integrity monitoring, and network intrusion detection and prevention features to protect its environment and support compliance. The solution’s reporting capabilities are instrumental in keeping the company secure across its entire infrastructure. “In addition to daily reviews, Deep Security reports are shared once a month with other teams that support our IT environments as part of our vulnerability and threat management review,” said Tatum.

RESULTS

With Deep Security protecting its AWS and data center environments, DealerSocket’s security team can quickly detect incidents and efficiently manage investigations, allowing them to provide vastly improved protection for the company’s data. Deep Security also met DealerSocket’s ease-of-use requirements from the start. In just 30 days, the solution was easily installed on 2,000 machines and the previous product was removed. The product supports DealerSocket’s DevOps goals with its full API enablement and scalability. Finally, Deep Security’s tools and reports have significantly simplified its compliance requirements. For example, the company’s last PCI DSS audit took only two and a half weeks.

WHAT'S NEXT

Looking ahead, DealerSocket plans to continue expanding its DevOps practice. Trend Micro is working with Tatum and his team to secure containers and is currently testing container security in its AWS environment. “At DealerSocket, DevOps starts with engineering, infrastructure, and security leadership. We meet weekly to discuss the cultural changes required to make DevOps and security part of our culture,” said Tatum.

Technologies

Trend Micro™ Deep Security™

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.