Europe seems to have reached a historic tipping point on the geopolitical scene, and the impact on our digital front is profound. The era of passive digital adoption is rapidly making way for a firm requirement for strategic autonomy. In this new reality, our digital architectures are no longer merely business assets; they have become the front lines of our collective resilience.

While the ambition to secure our digital sovereignty is rising, we must remain clear-eyed: the market reality is complex. Alternatives are often limited, and the path to independence is steep. This environment forces the European digital community to be more than just "tech-optimists";  it forces us to be creative, bold, and, above all, unified.

At CIONET, we believe in the massive force of our collective intelligence. To navigate these difficult market waters and find the "ideas and plans" that actually work, we have curated our upcoming agenda as a space for inspiration and the exchange of hard-won insights.

Our journey of exchange begins at Kattebroek with AI for Security, Security for AI. While the vision for AI-driven defence is bold, the tools are still maturing. We will move past the marketing promises to discuss how mature CISOs are actually protecting their organisations in a fragmented market. How do we secure AI systems when the "ready-made" solutions are still in their infancy? This is where our collective experience turns hype into a pragmatic shield.

The transition from plan to action is best exemplified by those leading from the front. On February 12th, we invite you to join the CIONET Awards 2026 (Part 2).

Belgium has taken a remarkable stance by creating the Belgian Cyber Forces as the fifth pillar of our National Defence. We are immensely proud that its commander, Major General Pierre Ciparisse, is a nominee for the Cybersecurity Award. His leadership represents the very "creative and bold" spirit Europe needs right now. Pierre’s nomination is a signal that our work as digital leaders has reached the highest levels of national importance. Let’s stand together as a Belgian community to support a leader who is turning the idea of digital sovereignty into an operational reality.

Finally, on March 10th at Domein ten Bossche, we address the structural response to market limitations: The Composable Enterprise: Engineered with AI. To achieve true autonomy, we must design systems that are not locked into rigid, singular paths. We will explore how modularity and AI-augmented engineering can provide the flexibility needed to stay resilient, even when market alternatives remain scarce.

From the command of our national defences to the core of your infrastructure, this quarter is about leveraging our collective intelligence to turn geopolitical challenges into a new standard for European leadership.

We look forward to these vital exchanges with you all.