CYBERWAL IN GALAXIA
ACADEMY
EURO SPACE CENTER (LIBIN)
DEC. 7th to DEC. 10th, 2026
Registration opens soon.
800+
participants
5th
edition
14
countries represented
The future of cybersecurity will be built by the people who choose to shape it together.
Artificial intelligence, space-based infrastructure, evolving regulation and questions of digital trust are reshaping the priorities of industry, institutions, academia and defence, often at the same time. In this landscape, expertise alone is no longer enough. What matters is the ability to bring the right perspectives together, challenge assumptions and turn strategic thinking into decisions that hold up in practice. This is the purpose of Cyberwal in Galaxia Academy.
Each year in Wallonia, Belgium, the Academy brings together researchers, cybersecurity experts, technology leaders, public decision-makers and defence stakeholders from across Europe to challenge ideas, build partnerships and turn discussion into action. Its fifth edition marks five years of this exchange — and goes further still, with a sharper focus on real-world case studies, strategic workshops and direct dialogue between the people shaping the field.
Hosted at the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic cyber and space ecosystems, Cyberwal in Galaxia Academy is more than a conference. It is where Europe’s cybersecurity community comes together – not just to follow what comes next, but to help define it.
Key Speakers
Pierre Ciparisse
Major General
Cyber Force
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Emmanuelle de Foy
First Counsellor
Directorate General for Multilateral Issues
Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs
Unit M4 Global Governance
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
ir. Yvan De Mesmaeker (M.Sc.Eng.)
Secretary General
European Corporate Security Association – ECSA
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Pascal Steichen
Chairman of the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre
Luxembourg House of Cybersecurity
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Speakers
Behind every breakthrough are people willing to challenge ideas, share what they know and test it against reality.
As AI advances, regulation tightens and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, no single organisation can build resilience alone — anticipation depends on connecting the right expertise at the right time.
Our speakers are the people doing exactly that: internationally recognised researchers, cybersecurity experts, technology leaders, public-sector decision-makers and defence stakeholders directly involved in shaping the field’s research, policy and practice.
Each session blends scientific rigour with strategic insight and hands-on experience, leaving participants not just inspired, but equipped with ideas they can use, partnerships they can build, and a sharper read on what’s coming next.
Sarah Ampe
Manager Digital Risk
EY Belgium
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Georges Ataya
Professor
Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Mohamed Boukhebouze
AI Product Manager
EarthLab Luxembourg
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Werner Coomans
Technology Advisor
Bell Labs DMTS, Nokia
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Phédra Clouner
Deputy Director General
Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Selim Chaabani
PhD Student
ULiege
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Olivier Croix
Cyber Product Line Manager
Thales
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Vincent Defrenne
Partner Cyber Strategy & Architecture
NVISO
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Xavier Devroey
Professor of Software Engineering, NADI
University of Namur
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Laurens D'hooge
Postdoctoral researcher
IDLab-imec
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Fatou Diao
Quantum Cybersecurity Researcher
Multitel
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Alexandre Dulaunoy
Head of CIRCL
Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Maxime Gennart
Legal Advisor
Belgian Data Protection Authority
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Guillaume Ginis
Senior Researcher in Cybersecurity
CETIC
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Antoine Groulard
Student
ULiège and CSL
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Jeremy Grandclaudon
Senior Cybersecurity Expert for Agency for Digital
ADN
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Serge Habraken
President of the Board of Directors
CSL
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Johan Helin
Senior IT/Security Engineer
Nexova
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Vassili Joannidès de Lautour
Consultant in AI for education and affiliate professor at Parma University
Parma University
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Thomas Kopp
Chief Scientist
LuxTrust
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Luca La Fisca
Project Liaison Officer
TRAIL (Trusted AI Labs)
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Clément Laurens
Co-founder
CRESCO
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Xavier Lessage
An expert research engineer in the Data Science department
CETIC
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Jean Liénardy
Researcher in Cryptography
the Royal Military Academy
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Christian Mack
COO
Guardis SRL
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Philippe Massonet
Scientific Coordinator
CETIC
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Matteo Merialdo
Cybersecurity Principal
Nexova
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Burcu Özkaptan
Head of Telecommunication and Navigation
Telespazio Belgium
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Cristel Pelsser
Professor
UCLouvain
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Jonathan Pisane
Innovation & Product Policy Manager
Thales Belgium
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Giulia Rinaldi
Cyber Data Engineer Part of the Innovation & Product Policy Secure Communication and Information Systems Thales Belgium
Thales Belgium
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Patrick Renaux
Senior Cybersecurity Architect
Starion Luxembourg S.A (Starion Group)
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Pascal Rogiest
General Manager
Clarence
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Merlijn Sebrechts
Senior Researcher
Imec – Ghent University
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Nicolas Sournac
AI Research Engineer
Multitel
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Francesco Vedovato
Assistant Professor @ Department of Information Engineering & Co-founder and product developer
University of Padova & ThinkQuantum s.r.l.
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Bert Verdonck
CEO
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Joachim Vererfven
Solution Engineer
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
Martin Vivian
Research Assistant
Université catholique de Louvain
- 3 décembre
•
- 09:00-10:00
La sécurité informatique à l’ère quantique
What to expect
A programme built around the decisions, technologies and challenges shaping cybersecurity right now.
Cybersecurity moves too fast for passive learning. Over four days, Cyberwal in Galaxia Academy brings together high-level keynotes, expert panels, real-world case studies, strategic workshops and dedicated networking, each designed to challenge assumptions, compare approaches and turn discussion into action.
Shaped by a highly selective scientific committee and delivered by leading voices in the field, the programme gives participants a sharper read on emerging developments, direct access to the people confronting these challenges in practice, and the connections to turn what they learn into what comes next.
Compliance (NIS2, CRA) & Ethics: How to Build Trust
The opening day of the Cyberwal in Galaxia Academy aims to provide a comprehensive and structured panorama of cybersecurity, combining institutional, organizational, European, international, and strategic perspectives. Each contribution will follow a common thread: understanding how cybersecurity, beyond its technical dimension, has become a central issue of governance, sovereignty, and resilience for our societies.
Cybersecurity can no longer be regarded as an isolated field. It now permeates organizational governance, national regulation, European cooperation, international competition, the protection of fundamental rights, and global security.
Starting from regional challenges and extending to national and European perspectives, participants will discover how leading institutions are defining priorities, shaping skills, and establishing the frameworks needed to strengthen collective resilience. Through these complementary perspectives, the opening day will highlight both the challenges to be addressed and the solutions already underway, while outlining the path toward a shared maturity that is essential for building a stronger cybersecurity ecosystem, better prepared to face tomorrow’s threats.
- 08:00 - 09:00
Welcome & Registration
- 09:00 - 09:50
Luxembourg Cybersecurity Factory
Auditorium
The Luxembourg Cybersecurity Factory (LCF) is set to become a groundbreaking hub for collaboration, enabling the seamless collection, analysis, and sharing of critical cybersecurity data—from threat intelligence and vulnerabilities to the effectiveness of protective measures. Designed as an open cybersecurity data space, the LCF will integrate advanced data tools, a dedicated Open Source Program Office (OSPO), and robust governance frameworks to strengthen risk mitigation across sectors.
This initiative will empower organisations, especially SMEs, to develop innovative, autonomous cybersecurity solutions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of data, tools, and real-world applications. In a second phase, the LCF will expand its partnership with the Luxembourg AI Factory (L-AIF), integrating AI capabilities to further enhance its impact.
By attracting cybersecurity data providers to contribute their datasets and supporting data curation for AI applications, Luxembourg aims to position the LCF as a global leader in open-source-driven cybersecurity innovation.
This initiative will empower organisations, especially SMEs, to develop innovative, autonomous cybersecurity solutions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of data, tools, and real-world applications. In a second phase, the LCF will expand its partnership with the Luxembourg AI Factory (L-AIF), integrating AI capabilities to further enhance its impact.
By attracting cybersecurity data providers to contribute their datasets and supporting data curation for AI applications, Luxembourg aims to position the LCF as a global leader in open-source-driven cybersecurity innovation.
Pascal Steichen - CEO
Kim Guldstrand Larsen - Professor at Aalborg University, Department of Computer Science, Denmark
- 09:50 - 10h40
What is the current situation on implementing (international) rules in the cyberspace
Emmanuelle de Foy (Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs
Unit M4 Global Governance)
Auditorium
We are familiar with the off-line world, our material world, managed by rules and laws. When it comes to the online world (and more and more parts of our lifes go online, work, leisure, information, orders, bookings…), who are the actors and how are they behaving ? What is important or crucial ? What is allowed or not allowed ? How can you react ? These issues have been discussed in the United Nations since 1998. The presentation will deal with 2 sets of negotiations that are actually typifying the state of the world. The negotiations on a international framework on ICT will show the rivalry between democracies and autocracies and the weight of the Global South. The second negotiation will show even more precisely the rivalry about the conceptions of the applicable law and the values such as the protection of human rights). The presentation will quickly deal with other lines of efforts at the level of the European Union, the OSCE and the NATO.
Emmanuelle de Foy - First Counsellor & Directorate General for Multilateral Issues
- 10:40 - 11:00
Coffee break
- 11:00 - 11:50
How to improve cybersecurity ? The Belgian approach!
Phedra Clouner (Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium)
Auditorium
During her presentation, Phédra Clouner will discuss how Belgium has implemented initiatives to make the country one of the least cyber-vulnerable countries in Europe.
She will review the role played by the national cyber security agency, the CCB, in the Belgian landscape.
She will discuss the types of threats facing the country and how these threats have evolved in line with changes in the geopolitical context and the emergence of new technologies.
She will then detail the actions put in place to counter these threats for different target audiences, as well as the governance that supports them, specifying concepts and their implementation, such as Active Cyber Protection, Cyberfundamentals, spearwarning, the involvement of the population in its own protection, etc.
She will also discuss how the various European regulations have been implemented by the CCB.
Phedra Clouner - Deputy Director General
- 11:50 - 12:10
The Digital Wallonia cybersecurity strategy: achievements and next steps
Jeremy Grandclaudon (ADN)
Auditorium
The Walloon Region’s Digital Wallonia strategy is the cornerstone of its digital transformation, aiming to foster innovation, economic growth, and societal resilience through technology. Within this framework, cybersecurity is a major pillar, ensuring trust and security across all digital initiatives. Our cybersecurity projects drive this ambition by supporting SMEs, strengthening private and public infrastructures, and aligning with European directives such as NIS2 or CRA . Its approach combines awareness campaigns, skills development, and practical tools
Jeremy Grandclaudon - Senior Cybersecurity Expert for Agency for Digital
- 12:10 - 13:25
Lunch
- 13:25 - 14:15
NIS2, Who must act to ensure cybersecurity protections?
Georges Ataya (Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management)
Auditorium
The rapid evolution of digital threats highlights the persistent weaknesses of many companies, often unprepared to meet the requirements of the NIS2 directive. This new regulation directly engages business leaders, who must integrate cybersecurity into their governance. It also opens new opportunities for experts and students, whose skills are now essential to digital resilience. Finally, it mobilizes digital managers and entrepreneurs as key drivers of lasting change toward a shared culture of security.
Georges Ataya - Professor
- 14:15 - 15:05
Security and Compliance: Cybersecurity at the Heart of the Right to Data Protection
Auditorium
Security is not a mere technical requirement; it is an essential component of responsibility and trust in digital environments.
The fundamental right personal data protection and cybersecurity are two sides of the same coin.
As the authority supervising and enforcing this right, the Data Protection Authority (DPA) plays a central role in promoting safe digital environments.
This presentation will first explore the DPA’s role in cybersecurity. It will then address the obligations arising from the principle of data confidentiality and security (Article 32 of the GDPR), as well as those linked to data protection by design and by default (Article 25).
These concepts will be illustrated with concrete examples drawn from use cases, demonstrating how these legal principles are translated into effective security practices.
Maxime Gennart - Legal Advisor
- 15:05 - 15:25
Coffee break
- 15:25 - 16:15
How Cyber Security fits into Global Corporate Security
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Yvan De Mesmaeker - Secretary General
- 16:15 - 17:05
Forging resilience: Cyber defense in a shifting hybrid landscape
Général Pierre Ciparisse (Cyber Force)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Pierre Ciparisse - Major General
- 17:05 - 17:25
Q&A
Général Pierre Ciparisse
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Général Pierre Ciparisse - Cyber Command
Workshop
This conference day spotlights cybersecurity in action. From threat monitoring, incident management, and workforce training to data securitization, ethical hacking, and the protection of national assets, the focus is on how organizations execute security in practice. We explore Europe’s evolving digital identity under eIDAS II and close with insights on sovereign cloud solutions in Belgium and Luxembourg—where sensitive data meets trusted AI.
- 08:00 - 08:30
Welcome & Registration
- 08:30 - 09:45
Protecting systems by anticipation - ISAC operations
Alexandre Dulaunoy (CIRCL)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Alexandre Dulaunoy - Head of CIRCL
- 09:45 - 11:00
Increase resilience by training and deep rehearsal of cyber crises
Vincent Defrenne (NVISO)
Auditorium
What makes the difference between days and weeks of recovery time? Beyond the obvious controls, there is the quality of the response: being prepared; understanding roles, responsibilities and communication flows in the context of a crisis; having plans that not only exist, but are also usable. But beyond plans, there is experience. We will discuss how you build experience without going through the trauma of a cyber attack, through exercises. How you build knowledge of the plans, an intuition of how an incident unravels, what sort of questions you will need to solve, so that you have structure and peace of mind when disaster hits. We’ll discuss how to organize exercises to train your teams, key success criteria, typical scenarios and concrete tips & tricks to run cyber exercises that makes your organization better prepared.
Vincent Defrenne - Partner Cyber Strategy & Architecture
- 11:00 - 11:30
Coffee break
- 11:30 - 12:45
Ethical Hacking or how to stress test your cyber safety
Clément Laurens (CRESCO)
Auditorium
During this presentation, we will explore the world of cybersecurity through a live hacking demonstration, aimed at illustrating the methods used by hackers to infiltrate a system and the means of protecting against them. This demonstration will provide a better understanding of attack mechanisms, but above all, best practices for defence. We will then present the current figures and trends in the sector: the explosion in the number of cyberattacks, the rise of phishing and ransomware, and the boom in the global cybersecurity market, estimated to be worth several hundred billion pounds. We will also highlight the growing demand for specialists capable of anticipating and countering these threats. This presentation aims to raise awareness of the importance of digital security and to show that vigilance and prevention are the best defences against IT risks.
Clément Laurens - Co-founder
- 12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
- 13:30 - 14:45
Safeguarding national data for better & safely exploiting it
Bert Verdonck (LNDS)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Bert Verdonck - CEO
- 14:45 - 16:00
Managing European digital identity and related attributes under eIDAS2
Thomas Kopp (LuxTrust)
Auditorium
Thomas Kopp - Chief Scientist
- 16:00 - 16:30
Coffee break
- 16:30 - 17:45
Using AI on sensitive data through disconnected sovereign cloud
Pascal Rogiest (Clarence)
Auditorium
Pascal Rogiest - General Manager
Quantum Technology and Cybersecurity
This session of the Cyber and Quantum Day program explores the transformative impact of quantum technologies on secure communications and their implications for cybersecurity.
The event will begin with a technical exploration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), providing attendees with a solid foundation for understanding its critical role in securing communications against quantum threats.
The agenda continues with presentations on the latest breakthroughs in QKD networks, highlighting both theoretical models and practical deployments. Experts will also explore the integration of QKD with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), examining hybrid approaches to achieve robust and scalable quantum-safe solutions.
A panel discussion will convene leading voices from academia, industry, and critical infrastructure sectors to address the challenges and opportunities of building quantum-secure communications.
This exchange will consider technical, economic, and regulatory perspectives, with a focus on the concrete steps required to prepare for a quantum-resilient future. Finally, the day will conclude with an exclusive visit to the Gilles Brassard Quantum Cryptography Lab, an open research platform dedicated to advancing secure communications in the quantum era.
By bringing together experts from institutions and companies—including Università di Padova, Université de Liège, Multitel, Starion, and Thales—the event fosters collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation.
The Cyber and Quantum Day aims to provide a holistic view of the opportunities and challenges in leveraging quantum technologies to transform secure communications, paving the way toward a trusted digital future.
- 08:00 - 09:00
Welcome & Registration
- 09:00 - 09:10
Introduction to the 'quantum day'
Serge Habraken (CSL)
Auditorium
This presentation explores the fundamental concepts behind Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and the challenges arising from its implementation in spatial contexts. The first part introduces the theoretical foundations of QKD, providing an overview of its operating principles. It covers key ideas such as the growing threat posed by quantum computers, the basics of modern cryptography, and the quantum mechanics principles relevant to QKD. The second part adopts a more technological perspective, presenting the hardware and systems required to exchange quantum keys and discussing several approaches to building these resources. Overall, this presentation aims to provide a clear introduction to QKD, accessible to an audience without prior background in the field.
Serge Habraken - President of the Board of Directors
- 09:10 - 10:10
Technical introduction to QKD
Serge Habraken (CSL)
Auditorium
This presentation explores the fundamental concepts behind Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and the challenges arising from its implementation in spatial contexts. The first part introduces the theoretical foundations of QKD, providing an overview of its operating principles. It covers key ideas such as the growing threat posed by quantum computers, the basics of modern cryptography, and the quantum mechanics principles relevant to QKD. The second part adopts a more technological perspective, presenting the hardware and systems required to exchange quantum keys and discussing several approaches to building these resources. Overall, this presentation aims to provide a clear introduction to QKD, accessible to an audience without prior background in the field.
Serge Habraken - President of the Board of Directors
- 10:10 - 10:20
Coffee break
- 10:20 - 11:35
Space-based Quantum Key Distribution
Francesco Vedovato (University of Padova & ThinkQuantum s.r.l.)
Auditorium
The idea of exploiting satellites to realize a global Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network took shape in the early 2000s. After the first pioneering demonstrations—showing the feasibility of different encodings over satellite-to-ground channels—the efforts of the Chinese Academy of Sciences culminated in multiple satellites in orbit and the successful realization of space-based QKD. In parallel, Europe—under the coordination of the European Space Agency (ESA)—has advanced mission studies and started several initiatives, including the Eagle-1 satellite and the SAGA constellation, planned for deployment in the coming years.
This talk will present a historical overview of the development of space-based QKD, as well as the goals and challenges of the upcoming ESA missions, and will benefit from the speaker’s direct involvement in R&D across academia and industry since 2015.
Francesco Vedovato - Assistant Professor @ Department of Information Engineering & Co-founder and product developer
- 11:35 - 12:20
Thesis in QKD
Selim Chaabani (ULiege), Antoine Groulard (ULiège and CSL) & Fatou Diao (multitel)
Auditorium
The PhD thesis of Selim Chaabani focuses on the development of single-photon sources for quantum key distribution (QKD), a key technology for secure communications. This work explores both the theoretical and experimental aspects of designing reliable single-photon emitters, with a long-term vision towards applications in space-based quantum networks. The presentation will outline the main stages of the development of one of these sources — from theory to laboratory implementation — and will include some preliminary experimental results.
Selim Chaabani - PhD Student
Antoine Groulard’s PhD thesis focuses on the interaction between laser photons and the atmosphere of the Earth to enable space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Currently limited to theoretical studies, Antoine aims to test his atmospheric interaction model in a large-scale experiment in the following years. This presentation will focus on the description of the model and how it can help to implement space Quantum Key Distribution.
Antoine Groulard - PhD Student
This presentation introduces the practical implementation of a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system based on the BB84 protocol, designed as a compact and robust demonstrator. The setup establishes a secure key exchange between Alice and Bob using attenuated laser pulses and polarization encoding transmitted through optical fibers equipped with LiNbO₃ phase modulators. The system currently achieves a quantum bit error rate of 2–5% and a secure key rate ranging from 1 to 10 kbit/s, reflecting both its stability and operational constraints. Once generated, the quantum keys are securely stored and can be integrated into classical infrastructures for various applications—for example, enabling encrypted communication over a VPN channel.
Fatou Diao - Quantum Cybersecurity Researcher
- 12:20 - 12:30
Spontaneous presentation of the public activities
Fatou Diao
Auditorium
The activity involves a spontaneous presentation of public activities, allowing participants to volunteer and present their activities related to quantum-resilient communications or, more generally, to cybersecurity in a friendly atmosphere. The organizers hope this will encourage networking among participants during the lunch break scheduled afterward.”
Fatou Diao
- 12:30 - 13:30
Lunch
- 13:30 - 14:10
INT-UQKD: challenges, achievements, and new goals
Patrick Renaux (Starion Luxembourg S.A (Starion Group))
Auditorium
INT-UQKD project started in September 2022, building and operating an interoperable terrestrial and space QKD network, capable of delivering a cost-efficient quantum-safe solution able to support multiple use cases.
In operating the terrestrial link since august 2023 Starion Luxembourg and its partners have gain practical experience paving the way to future development in Europe towards an agnostic quantum-safe service platform capable of operating across multiple QKD system solutions on a global scale.
Patrick Renaux - Senior Cybersecurity Architect
- 14:10 - 14:50
Cybersecurity: the reverse side of the quantum-computing medal
Werner Coomans (Bell Labs DMTS, Nokia)
Auditorium
Quantum computers give rise to tremendous opportunities in terms of scientific discoveries, able to solve problems out of reach of even the most powerful classical supercomputers. However, there is also a downside: quantum computers will also be able to crack a large family of cryptographic algorithms, which today are used all over the internet. This talk will explain why the threat is already real today, and why it’s of paramount importance to start the migration to quantum-safe primitives as soon as possible. It will give an overview of the solution landscape with a focus on networking, introduce core concepts of the migration journey, and address the role of telecommunication networks in the largest cybersecurity migration in human history.
Werner Coomans - Technology Advisor
- 14:50 - 15:00
Coffee break
- 15:00 - 15:30
Post-quantum cryptography: context and actions
Sarah Ampe (EY)
Auditorium
Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) refers to cryptographic algorithms designed to be secure against the potential threats posed by quantum computers. Unlike traditional systems based on RSA or ECC, which rely on mathematical problems that quantum algorithms can solve efficiently, PQC is built on hard problems that remain resistant even in the quantum era. As quantum computing advances, the urgency to transition to quantum-safe cryptographic standards grows. This presentation will provide a clear overview of PQC, its foundational principles, and the current landscape of standardization efforts led by organizations like NIST. We will then explore the challenges and strategies involved in migrating existing systems to PQC, including hybrid approaches, risk assessments, and implementation timelines. Attendees will gain insight into how to prepare their infrastructure for a quantum-resilient future.
Sarah Ampe - Manager Digital Risk
- 15:30 - 16:00
QKD solutions and quantum-safe alternatives: Comparison or Combination?
Jean Lienardy (the Royal Military Academy)
Auditorium
As quantum computing capabilities advance, two complementary approaches are emerging for protecting communications: post-quantum cryptography (PQC), which relies on new mathematical hardness assumptions and runs on classical devices, and quantum key distribution (QKD), whose security is rooted in quantum physics – hence promising information-theoretic security – yet requiring specific hardware. These solutions are based on substantially different paradigms and offer various levels of assurance. Between the ends of this spectrum lie additional classical quantum-safe techniques, which trade usability features for stronger security guarantees.
We critically compare these paradigms from the point of view of security claims (assumptions, provable-security models), performance (latency, throughput), cost and maturity (standards, hardware, operations), and deployment constraints (distance, infrastructure, interoperability).
We clarify where each approach excels and where limitations hinder their global adoption, such as the long-term cryptanalytic uncertainty for PQC (harvest-now-decrypt-later risk) or the authentication problem for QKD.
Finally, we will discuss if and how QKD could interact with PQC solutions in a secure cryptosystem, addressing multiple challenges including the end-to-end security chain, trust assumptions, and ways to achieve hybridisation.
Jean Lienardy - Researcher in Cryptography
- 16:00 - 17:00
Panel discussion
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Joachim Vererfven - Solution Engineer
Francesco Vedovato - Assistant Professor @ Department of Information Engineering & Co-founder and product developer
Olivier Croix - Cyber Product Line Manager
Werner Coomans - Technology Advisor
- 17:00 - 17:10
Closing session
Jonathan Pisane (Thales)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Jonathan Pisane - Innovation & Product Policy Manager
- 17:10 - 17:40
Visit of Quantum lab
Antoine Dierick (Thales)
Auditorium
The activity involves a spontaneous presentation of public activities, allowing participants to volunteer and present their activities related to quantum-resilient communications or, more generally, to cybersecurity in a friendly atmosphere. The organizers hope this will encourage networking among participants during the lunch break scheduled afterward.”
Cyber protection in practise
This conference day spotlights cybersecurity in action. From threat monitoring, incident management, and workforce training to data securitization, ethical hacking, and the protection of national assets, the focus is on how organizations execute security in practice. We explore Europe’s evolving digital identity under eIDAS II and close with insights on sovereign cloud solutions in Belgium and Luxembourg—where sensitive data meets trusted AI.
- 08:00 - 08:30
Welcome & Registration
- 08:30 - 09:45
Protecting systems by anticipation - ISAC operations
Alexandre Dulaunoy (CIRCL)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Alexandre Dulaunoy - Head of CIRCL
- 09:45 - 11:00
Increase resilience by training and deep rehearsal of cyber crises
Vincent Defrenne (NVISO)
Auditorium
What makes the difference between days and weeks of recovery time? Beyond the obvious controls, there is the quality of the response: being prepared; understanding roles, responsibilities and communication flows in the context of a crisis; having plans that not only exist, but are also usable. But beyond plans, there is experience. We will discuss how you build experience without going through the trauma of a cyber attack, through exercises. How you build knowledge of the plans, an intuition of how an incident unravels, what sort of questions you will need to solve, so that you have structure and peace of mind when disaster hits. We’ll discuss how to organize exercises to train your teams, key success criteria, typical scenarios and concrete tips & tricks to run cyber exercises that makes your organization better prepared.
Vincent Defrenne - Partner Cyber Strategy & Architecture
- 11:00 - 11:30
Coffee break
- 11:30 - 12:45
Ethical Hacking or how to stress test your cyber safety
Clément Laurens (CRESCO)
Auditorium
During this presentation, we will explore the world of cybersecurity through a live hacking demonstration, aimed at illustrating the methods used by hackers to infiltrate a system and the means of protecting against them. This demonstration will provide a better understanding of attack mechanisms, but above all, best practices for defence. We will then present the current figures and trends in the sector: the explosion in the number of cyberattacks, the rise of phishing and ransomware, and the boom in the global cybersecurity market, estimated to be worth several hundred billion pounds. We will also highlight the growing demand for specialists capable of anticipating and countering these threats. This presentation aims to raise awareness of the importance of digital security and to show that vigilance and prevention are the best defences against IT risks.
Clément Laurens - Co-founder
- 12:45 - 13:30
Lunch
- 13:30 - 14:45
Safeguarding national data for better & safely exploiting it
Bert Verdonck (LNDS)
Auditorium
Although practised as an art and science for ages, cryptography had to wait until the mid-twentieth century for Claude Shannon to endow it with a rigorous mathematical foundation. However, Shannon’s approach was rooted in his own information theory, itself inspired by the classical physics of Newton and Einstein. Yet, the world in which we live is subject to the laws of quantum theory, no matter how bewildering, whose experimental verification half a century ago was rewarded in 2022 by the Nobel Prize in Physics. When quantum theory is taken into account, new vistas open up both for codemakers and codebreakers. Is this a blessing or a curse for cybersecurity? Quantum computers will soon be capable of computations that would be unthinkable for a conventional computer, which will seriously undermine the so-called security of Internet communications as we practise them today. Nevertheless, the same quantum theory gives rise to new cryptographic paradigms that are in principle invulnerable to arbitrary attacks, even by an adversary capable of harnessing unlimited computing power and technology. However, this unconditional security requires quantum cryptography to be implemented according to the theory, which is very challenging. Will the cat-and-mouse game between codebreakers and codemakers soon reach a decisive outcome? As we shall see, the jury is still out!
No prior knowledge in cryptography or quantum theory will be assumed. Please note that this talk will be given in French, with slides written in English.
Bert Verdonck - CEO
- 14:45 - 16:00
Managing European digital identity and related attributes under eIDAS2
Thomas Kopp (LuxTrust)
Auditorium
Thomas Kopp - Chief Scientist
- 16:00 - 16:30
Coffee break
- 16:30 - 17:45
Using AI on sensitive data through disconnected sovereign cloud
Pascal Rogiest (Clarence)
Auditorium
Pascal Rogiest - General Manager
Previous editions
2023 Cyberwal in Galaxia Program
04 – 08 December 2023
2022 Cyberwal in Galaxia Program
12 – 16 December 2022
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