In an answer to the current state of affairs of the Belgian State in terms of Information Security, BISSI - the Belgian Information Security Support Initiative was founded in order to support the development and promotion of a society that tries to improve its level in Information Security in Belgium today.
The main goal is to ensure a more effective collaboration between associations, experts and the Belgian society as a whole (individuals, public and private organizations).
By enhancing the capability of all actors, we aim to prevent, address and respond to Information Security threats and incidents.
By implementing appropriate measures such as the correct infrastructures for the apparent threats, protecting critical infrastructures,
networks, processes and services but moreover by reaching out as experts to remediate but also to prevent; the BISSI initiative will enhance the Belgian situation.
One of the first initiatives of this 'Think Tank' was the publication of a White Paper in September 2008.
This document presents the main directions that need to be addressed in order to achieve a state of the art and well balanced Information Security Management in Belgium
Today the group has expanded with industry representatives, government officials, academic authorities and liaisons officers, working jointly
to maintain this dialogue platform for Information Security. Early 2009, a number of Working Groups have been established on each of the
identified tracks in the White Paper.
Nowadays, our society is highly dependent on information, information processes and the Internet. In order to guarantee a smoothly running operation, the information flows and their associated processes should meet a high level of reliability. Information Security is about ensuring that a level of quality and reliability is not compromised by unacceptable risks.
The Belgian Information Security Initiative Group aims to:
- activate working groups (WGs) to prepare these proposals in each of the six areas
- be approachable at all national events related to Information Security
- regularly publish the status on its activities and work
- create awareness amongst all components of the Belgian society
- create and maintain the appropriate synergy between public and private sector players
BISSI is a group of not for profit associations and organizations specialized or interested in Information Security, more in particular when information appears in electronic format. Members of BIIB-BSI include :
- Local representaiton of international professional associations (ISACA and ISSA)
- Enterprise clusters (LSEC, Infopôle Cluster TIC)
- Research centres (CETIC)
- Academia(FUNDP/CRID, KULeuven/ESAT/COSIC, SBS)
- Belgian ISO/IEC JTC1 SC27 (IT Security Techniques) Shadow Committee
BelNIS (the Belgian discussion forum on information security) asked BISI to organize a Survey on the knowledge, interest and use of the information security standards (ISO 27001 & 27002). The survey questionnaire can be downloaded here ( EN , FR and NL ). Please respond prior to November 14th. Answers are expected on a personal basis, please reply to through standards@bissi.be; in the name of their organization, through centraloffice@ictstandards.be.