On April 27th, LSEC - cyber security hub - in collaboration with B-Hive - fintech hub - organized a first joint event focused on the ongoing innovative developments in the financial services domain impacting not only financial services, but also its supply chain and operational transactions such as cyber security and information security components. 

An insightfull perspective by authentication expert Isabel group introduced us into some of the challenges, including authentication developments and helping understanding some of the complexities which resulted in the current RTS (regulatory technical standard) and SCA (Strong Customer Authentication)  for TTP (trusted third parties). The PSD2 directive already exists since January 2016, and is currently being adopted by the European Member States, in particular their NCA (national competent authorities), usually the regulators. Next to the PSD2 directive that amongst other enables other companies to access account information for payment services, new developments such as API's are equally seeing their routes into market. The Glue and Oracle presented insightful views of the current developments towards Open API. The NBB (National Bank of Belgium), one of the co-authors of the RTS, keynoted the event with the core fundamental behind these developments and insights in some of the working that had led to its current state. He also indicated some future routes. Identity technology provider TrustBuilder and authentication providers Vasco and SDO presented their views on the role of existing and developing authentication technologies. During some of the panels, the operators such as Ingenico and Twiki reasoned on their current challenges and how they got there; Finally other security challenges were brought by BAE Systems, indicating that there is much more than authentication in securing these new developments. 
For more information and documentation background, visit the event page. 

LSEC & B-Hive Open Banking Security & PSD2 event, Brussels.

Watch out for one of the latest outbreaks, it has made many high-profile victims in just a few hours. Over 57.000 were reported in just a few hours. The RansomWare Wanna Cry (WCry) is coming through spam, in which fake invoices, job offers and other lures are being sent out to random email addresses. Within the emails is a .zip file, and once clicked that initiates the WannaCry infection. But the most concerning aspect of WannaCry is its use of the worm-like EternalBlue exploit. "This is a weapon of mass destruction, a WMD of ransomware according to Crowdstrike's Vice President Adam Meyers. Once it gets into an unpatched PC it spreads like wildfire," he told Forbes. "It's going through financials, energy companies, healthcare. It's widespread."
Given the malware is scanning the entire internet for vulnerable machines, and as many as 150,000 were deemed open to the Windows vulnerability as of earlier this month, WannaCry ransomware explosion is only expected to get worse over the weekend.

Consider already visiting www.nomoreransom.org, an initiative by Europol EC3, McAfee, the Dutch High Tech Crime Unit and Kaspersky and increasingly supported by many across the globe, including LSEC. The website offers some free support against ransomware attacks. If you have been exposed and the platform has a cleansing solution (without having to pay the ransom), you can feely download the decrypt mechanisms. They are committed in updating their anti ransom libraries regularly. 

LSEC is contributing to this year's WEBIT Festival Europe, joining respected speakers and attendees from around the globe from Google, DHL, McAfee, the European Commission and crossing the bridge between IT, education, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, culture & arts. WIth TED-like talks, WEBIT is one of the most inspiring conferences around the globe, focusing on multiple attention points and raising things such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Social Web of Services, Social Enterprises, e-Educational programs, Industrial challenges and developments and security. 

Learn more about WEBIT and its activities at : http://www.webit.bg/security.php

At the age of 67, our friend and cyber security inspiration Howard Schmidt peacefully passed away, last March 2nd in his home in Wisconsin after a long battle of cancer.
A computer crime expert, who advised two presidents and drafted cybersecurity safeguards for the US and the rest of the world, was one of the first recognizing the need to work together in the continuous battle for a safe and secure cyber space. He founded the inpiration for many to start sharing information between law enforcement, government and business. A practice being served throughout the globe.
Rest in Peace Howard, you will continue to be an inspiration for all of us working to ensure a better world, also in cyber. You were a wonderful, amicable person, always available for a talk and support. Condolences to the family from the whole of the ICT Security community in Belgium and beyond.

Any personal pictures and stories are greatly welcomed at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Or LinkedIn Obituary https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmidthoward/recent-activity/