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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.

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Persistent Systems Ltd. protects endpoints and VMware environments with Trend Micro’s solutions

Protects endpoints and VMware environments with Trend Micro’s solutions

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1990, Persistent Systems Pvt. Ltd. is a global market leader in outsourced software product development services. The company builds software that drives the business of its customers which include enterprises and software product companies with software at the core of their digital transformation. With an operational presence in USA, Europe, India, and Singapore, the company has contributed to more than 3,000 product releases for its customers in the last five years. Persistent’s clients include companies in Infrastructure and Systems, Telecom and Wireless, Life Sciences and Healthcare, and Financial Services.

Among the awards and recognition received by Persistent Systems include; named a leader in the 2017 Zinnov Zones for Digital Services Report, BPM Service Providers by The Forrester Wave™ Q4 2016 Report, and winner of the Golden Peacock National Training Award in 2018. Dr. Anand Deshpande, founder and CEO of Persistent Systems, was also featured in India’s “Best CEO List” by Business Today.

CHALLENGES

Persistent Systems required multilayered security on its endpoints, located in facilities across 17 countries, to defend against the advanced and ever-changing threat landscape. It further required securing its VMware infrastructure with a robust protection system that can be automated to prevent attacks. Persistent Systems’ high sensitivity to their security landscape required them to choose a solution provider who could also deliver premium support designed to elevate their security posture.

"We were looking for a tool, which will reduce operational efforts, be cost effective and help us protect virtual machines, and be agentless as much as possible. Trend Micro Deep Security really worked for us and allowed us to reduce operational efforts, and protect virtual machines from malware."

Parag Karhadkar - Senior General Manager, Service Excellence

WHY TREND

Persistent Systems was extremely satisfied with Trend Micro™ Endpoint Security™ solution, which the company used to protect its more than 11,000 global endpoints for the past eight to ten years. The company chose Trend Micro™ Deep Security™ protection for its VMware infrastructure because it was purpose-built to support VMware deployments. Trend Micro also provided a Premium Support Program (PSP), which offered expert guidance for urgent issues and met Persistent Systems’ need for maintaining high sensitivity in their security environment.

Trend Micro’s position as a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms since 2002, and in The Forrester Wave™ Endpoint Security Suites Q2 2018 Report, along with earning the rank of “most effective recommended breach detection system” for two years running by NSS Labs, prompted Persistent Systems to choose Trend Micro over other solutions.

"We were on the lookout for an agentless virus protection solution for our VMware virtualized environment. Trend Micro’s Deep Security solution helped us to protect all the VMs from advanced threats/virus attacks without compromising VM performance. The product has also helped us to significantly reduce the admin overheads without compromising on VM security."

Sandeep Deshmukh - Senior General Manager, Technology Excellence

SOLUTION

Trend Micro Endpoint Security was successfully deployed across 11,000+ endpoints and Trend Micro Deep Security—with the anti-malware module—was implemented in Persistent Systems’ VMware infrastructure. Endpoint Security provides Persistent Systems with a unified approach to geographically-distributed endpoints. The company’s endpoints are protected against threats and malware, with advanced techniques like high-fidelity machine learning, behavioral analysis, exploit protection, intrusion prevention, sandbox integration, and more. With layers of advanced protection, the solution safeguards against unwanted and unknown threats and ensures data privacy by encrypting data stored on endpoints.

Deep Security is purpose-built for VMware environments and provides multilayered security in one solution to eliminate security gaps and performance impacts. The solution uses a comprehensive set of policy-enforced security controls to automatically shield virtual machines (VMs) from network attacks and vulnerabilities, stop malware and ransomware attacks, and detect unauthorized system changes. The anti-malware with web reputation integrates with VMware vShield Endpoint™ APIs to protect VMware virtual machines against viruses, spyware, Trojans, and other malware with zero in-guest footprints. As a result, security operations are optimized and protection from sophisticated endpoints in virtual environments is enhanced.

Persistent Systems also added Trend Micro’s Premium Support Program to provide it with a dedicated Customer Service Manager, who assists with urgent issues and facilitates expert guidance designed to elevate the company’s overall security posture.

RESULTS

Trend Micro’s solutions, implemented across endpoints in multiple countries and in the VMware infrastructure, addressed Persistent Systems’ need for high-sensitivity security. The Premium Support Program enhanced Persistent Systems’ security posture, leading to minimized issue escalations.

Persistent Systems continues to benefit from Trend Micro solutions in several ways. The solution maximizes protection for the company’s VMware environment with automatic shielding of VMs from malware and ransomware attacks, along with detection of unauthorized system changes. With advanced shielding from vulnerabilities, the company also reduced downtime, which contributes to the overall operational efficiencies.

The solution’s agentless security, managed through VMware APIs that interact with an appliance managed by the host, eases administration, reduces overall license costs, enhances performance, and helps the company meet compliance requirements. With integrated modules systematized from a single dashboard, Persistent Systems can easily manage all security operations.

Technologies

Trend Micro™ Deep Security™ Trend Vision One™ - Endpoint 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.