Today marked the first day of NATO Edge, the NATO Communications and Information Agency's (NCI Agency) conference.
The flagship event is taking place from 25-27 October, with more than 2100 attendees registered and over 100 industry exhibitors present at the Lotto Mons Expo in Mons, Belgium.
"The NCI Agency, that I am proud to lead and represent, plays a key role — together with our strategic partners — in enabling consultation and decision-making in the Alliance," said General Manager Ludwig Decamps in his opening address.
The three-day conference gathers principal technology leaders from industry, academia and start-ups as well as NATO and National representatives to discuss the technology, collaboration and partnerships needed to future-proof NATO and the Alliance.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo highlighted the longstanding relationship between the NCI Agency, NATO and Belgium: "Our societies' economy, political institutions, critical infrastructure and essential services depend more than ever on secure and reliable digital tools and on connectivity".
The powerful line-up of day one also included NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Baiba Braže and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Philippe Lavigne, who discussed digital transformation, innovation and the needs of the NATO enterprise.
The NCI Agency also signed an Industry Partnership Agreement with the Norwegian Maritime Cyber Resilience Centre (NORMA Cyber). NORMA, a joint initiative between the Norwegian Shipowners Mutual War Risks Insurance Association and the Norwegian Shipowners Association, has now joined the NCI Agency's cyber-threat information sharing program. This partnership agreement enhances the Agency's relationship within the Norwegian Maritime sector and allows for greater cyber and intelligence information sharing and interoperability.
The first day of the conference also honoured the winners of the Fall 2022 NATO Innovation Challenge who presented their innovations on strengthening resilience and data security in a contested environment to participants.
To end day one on a high note, NATO Edge also saw the celebration of the NCI Agency's 10th anniversary, a milestone that was commemorated with Agency staff, as well as the two former Agency General Managers, attendees and industry partners.
On 26 and 27 October, attendees will have the opportunity to listen to more panel discussions and join breakout sessions on topics such as technologies for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) applications, artificial intelligence for military operations and the new emerging concepts in cyber security.
NATO Edge, the NCI Agency's newest flagship event, pulls the most valuable elements of the two previous successful conferences — the NATO Information Assurance Symposium (NIAS) and the Agency's flagship industry conference, NITEC, to deliver a unique experience to participants.
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