Service
Governance - Risk - Compliance on Cybersecurity, Privacy, & AI
Our GRC-Framework leads organisations towards cybersecurity, AI, and privacy compliance (e.g. NIS2, DORA, CRA, AI Act, GDPR).
- Coaching
- Consulting
Author
Koert Van Espen
Managing Partner Apogado
Apogado
Mechelen, Belgium
4 profile visits
Engineer, +30 years experience in cybersecurity & privacy, focus on cybersecurity & AI compliance, entrepreneur, active in private equity, CEO Apogado
My organisation
Apogado is a Belgian consultancy firm specializing in cybersecurity, privacy, and digital transformation. They offer tailored solutions to help organizations navigate complex regulatory landscapes and enhance their digital resilience.
Key Services:
Information Security: Focusing on cybersecurity, Apogado assists businesses in developing and implementing robust security measures, conducting risk assessments, and preparing for certifications like ISO 27001, to ensure compliance with NIS2, DORA, the CRA, etc., Privacy & GDPR Compliance: Apogado provides comprehensive support for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance, including audits, policy development, and acting as Data Protection Officer (DPO) for organizations., Digital Transformation: They guide organizations through the process of digitalization, offering advice on sustainable IT architecture and enterprise solutions to improve efficiency and adaptability., eGovernment Solutions: Apogado collaborates with governmental bodies to create efficient digital services, ensuring seamless integration with authentic sources and compliance with relevant regulations., Artificial Intelligence (AI): We assist in integrating AI into business processes, ensuring that AI applications comply with emerging regulations and ethical standards.
Notable Initiatives:
Cybersecurity Improvement Programs: Recognized as an official service provider by VLAIO, Apogado offers cybersecurity programs to strengthen SMEs' resilience against cyber threats. These programs are eligible for subsidies, making them accessible to a broader range of organizations., KMO-Portefeuille Services: As a certified service provider, Apogado's consultancy services in information security and business continuity are available through the KMO-Portefeuille, allowing SMEs in Flanders to benefit from financial support for these essential services.
Apogado's multidisciplinary team, comprising engineers, lawyers, and criminologists, is dedicated to delivering expert guidance and support to clients across various sectors, including businesses, startups, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
About me
Koert Van Espen is a 'T-shaped' person, with a broad knowledge but capable of digging into the details. With his thesis on authentication algorithms, he graduated magna cum laude as one of the first security experts from the COSIC (Computer Security and Industrial Cryptography) department of the University of Leuven.
Koert has been involved in and fascinated by security and privacy for more than 30 years, in various functions ranging from research (cryptography) and development (in his early days), to management, consulting and strategic advice. He worked for various public organisations (EU Commission, Flemish government, VITO, National Geografic Institute (NGI), BOSA, local governments, FOD Justice, Antwerp Police Force, City of Ghent, city of Antwerp, various local communities, federation of architects, etc) as well as (international) private companies and organisations (SWIFT, Philips, Group De Cloedt, Beijing Genome Institute, Flemish Bar Association, etc). He is approved by the Belgian Data Protection Authority as DPO. He also worked at the cabinet of Secretary of State Bart Tommelein on privacy policy.
Koert has a unique combination of technical skills and understanding ('burgerlijk ingenieur'), business and management knowledge (MBA-degree, author of several business plans, etc), legal knowledge (excellent knowledge of the Data Protection Authorities, the State Secretary of Privacy, the new EU Privacy Regulation (GDPR), etc) - blended with an experience as tech-entrepreneur and a strong (but pragmatic) methodological approach.
Koert has excellent writing, presenting and coaching skills and gave many presentations as well as courses (a.o. guest professor on GDPR and information security in the Post Graduate Course “Digital Entrepreneurship” of the University of Leuven, as well as various courses and webinars). He frequently takes de role of mediator in various ways – from programme management to hosting or participating in debates on Smart Cities, privacy, etc. Koert writes columns and essays on various business and technology aspects.