The Challenges of the IT Security Officer at Europabank
We would like to highlight a recent collaboration with our client, Europabank . Their slogan, "The bank that dares," aptly summarizes their financial services and solutions, but that's not the only reason they are well-known. At Europabank, there is a very familial and warm culture at all levels of the organization. A client that fits seamlessly into Amandis' client portfolio. It's high time to interview one of our recent starters with them.
We are pleased to introduce Sebastien Nussbaum, de Information Security Officer at Europabank.
Sebastien previously worked at a consultancy firm but was looking for more involvement and input in his projects. Therefore, he sought an internal position where he could see his projects grow. Thanks to the thorough research of our consultant, Brent Vermeulen, Sebastien was able to make his first contact with Europabank.
The first introductory meeting immediately made it clear that the position was interesting and challenging, with many opportunities for growth. During this meeting, Sebastien immediately felt the close bond within the organization, partly because CEO Paul Malfeyt was also present.
Sebastien began his adventure at Europabank at the start of 2024. The first two to three months were very intensive. To prepare well for his role, he visited various departments to understand their operations. Additionally, he did a "deep dive" into various documentation and information.
One of Sebastien's key responsibilities at the moment is the DORA-project. This project involves new legislation from the European Union, which requires every financial institution to meet minimum security standards. In collaboration with other departments, Sebastien investigates where processes need to be adjusted.
Of course, there are threats in various sectors, including at Europabank. One of the most well-known threats is phishing emails, which are dangerous due to their attempts to obtain personal information. Europabank combats this by providing phishing training to every employee, with good results.
Naturally, Europabank does not focus solely on phishing. They also implement technical measures to protect the infrastructure, such as firewalls, IDS, and IPS. Additionally, they highlight hot topics to employees to increase their awareness.
What do you need to perform the same role as Sebastien? We asked him. According to Sebastien, being organized and meticulous, having good planning skills, coordinating projects with other departments, being analytically driven, and having strong communication skills are essential.
Our society is increasingly dependent on technology, automation, and optimization. Therefore, there will be more focus on expanding the security department both in the banking sector and other sectors. The future for Cybersecurity Engineers looks promising.
Are you interested in transitioning to an internal security role, or are you looking for a security specialist? Then be sure to contact us at info@amandis.be, so we can improve the future of the digital world together.
