Brussels, December 4, 2024 – Belgium’s Cyber Security Awards 2024, the prestigious event celebrating excellence, leadership, and innovation in cybersecurity, proudly announces this year’s winners. These outstanding professionals have set new benchmarks for resilience and innovation in cybersecurity through their dedication, groundbreaking solutions, and tireless efforts.
Established in 2021, Belgium’s Cyber Security Awards recognize top individuals within the Belgian cybersecurity sector. As a fully independent programme, unaffiliated with specific companies or products, the awards allow an interdisciplinary jury to make merit-based decisions. This year, the jury faced the formidable challenge of selecting winners from an exceptional pool of candidates.
The winners for the Belgium Cyber Security Awards 2024 are:
Dr. Catherine Van de Heyning
Honoured for her remarkable blend of academic and legal expertise in the fields of fundamental rights and digitalization.
As a Professor of European Fundamental Rights at the University of Antwerp and a public prosecutor, her research focuses on the impact of digitalization on fundamental rights, particularly in criminal law and judicial proceedings. Her work has made a significant impact both academically and in shaping policy, including her role as a member of the advisory committee of the UN Human Rights Council.
In addition, she is actively involved in major research initiatives such as @ntidote, a project tackling online hate speech and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and projects on deepfake nude images as well as on cyber flashing among young Belgian people. Her contributions to integrating legal insights into the digital realm have established her as a key figure in the cybersecurity landscape.
Catherine Van de Heyning
Substitute Prosecutor of the King
PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE ANTWERP
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Ass. Professor European fundamental rights
UNIVERSITY OF ANTWERP
Johan Claessens
Recognized for his decisive approach and clear vision in strengthening information security within a critical organisation
Johan Claessens was chosen as CISO of the Year for his structured methodology and visionary leadership, which enabled water-link to become the first Belgian water company to achieve ISO 27001 certification. His strong leadership, dedication, and ability to effectively manage stakeholders have significantly enhanced the organisation’s information security framework.
In addition, as Chair of the CISO Group, he actively promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Flemish water companies, further advancing cybersecurity across the sector.
Johan Claessens
Chief Information Security Officer
WATER-LINK
Axel Legay
Honoured for groundbreaking research and his commitment to putting cybersecurity on the map in Wallonia
Axel Legay, former professor at UCLouvain and the driving force behind the CyberWal programme, has been awarded the Researcher Award for his pioneering work in cybersecurity, including the development of AI algorithms for malware detection. His research creates a powerful synergy between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, two foundational pillars of the digital future.
In addition to his innovative research, Axel Legay is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and establishing a Walloon centre of expertise that attracts global talent. The jury commended his outstanding contributions to both research and practical applications, making him a truly deserving winner of this award.
Axel Legay
Cybersecurity & AI Expert
Reinaert Van de Cruys
Recognized for raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses with an entrepreneurial spirit
The jury sees Reinaert Van de Cruys as a shining example of young talent in Belgium. As an ethical hacker, he has supported numerous Flemish companies through penetration tests, cybersecurity audits, and social engineering exercises. His hands- on approach empowers businesses to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their defences.
Reinaert has also made a significant impact through his training programmes, which help both organisations and individuals dramatically improve their digital resilience. He stands out in this category for his unique combination of deep technical expertise, exceptional communication skills, and successful entrepreneurship as co-founder of Fox&Fish Cyberdefense.
Reinaert Van de Cruys
Ethical Hacker
FOX&FISH CYBERDEFENSE
Vanessa Ling
Recognized for building a top-performing team and managing data protection in an organisation that handles Belgium's most sensitive information
The jury was deeply impressed by Vanessa Ling’s leadership in advancing privacy practices at Proximus and her exceptional ability to embed privacy into the organisation’s broader governance strategies. Her strategic approach has not only strengthened privacy protections but also fostered a culture of transparency, accountability, and teamwork.
Through her leadership and dedication, Vanessa has elevated the organisation’s privacy governance to new heights, ensuring the protection of individual rights while enabling the organisation to adapt to ever-evolving privacy requirements.
Vanessa Ling
Head of Group Data
PROXIMUS