Belgacom to enhance cyber security

The board of telecommunications giant Belgacom has approved a plan of action to better protect its IT and telecoms systems, following the recent revelation that the company’s networks had been hacked by a foreign intelligence service, probably the UK’s GCHQ.

“Cyber security has always been a major priority for Belgacom, not only within the company but also for our customers,” said chief technology officer Geert Standaert. “It’s that focus on protection that allowed us to discover the break-in to our IT systems in September and to take care of it.” The company will now set up a Cyber Defense Unit whose only task will be to detect and counter cyber incidents. IT platforms and networks will also be better protected. The multi-year plan involves an initial investment for 2014 of €15 million, Belgacom said.

“No individual company can guarantee zero risks as far as cyber-crime is concerned,” said former justice minister Stefaan De Clerck, now chairman of the Belgacom board. “Especially not in cases of state espionage.”

Meanwhile, Belgacom has stepped down as the main sponsor of the Memorial Van Damme, the country’s main athletics tournament. Belgacom said in a statement the company intended to concentrate more on sponsorship of cycling and football. The news comes as a further blow to the Memorial, following the news that the new national stadium planned for Heizel will not include athletics facilities, forcing the Memorial to continue using the King Baudouin stadium until it is demolished in 2020.

“Thanks to the hype surrounding the Red Devils, everyone now wants to jump on the bandwagon, which makes it difficult for other sports,” Memorial organiser Wilfried Meert said. The Memorial is in talks with three possible new head sponsors. The company will continue to support the Memorial, but for a smaller amount. No details of sums of money or of other potential sponsors were made public.