FIC 2016 Exhibition: data security & protection of privacy

Jointly organised by the Department of the National Gendarmerie, CEIS and EuraTechnologies and co-financed by the Regional Council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, the 8^th edition of the International Cybersecurity Forum (FIC) will be dedicated to data security and the protection of privacy.

The key European event that gathers all players in digital trust will welcome representatives from civil society, service providers, vendors of trusted security solutions, end users, the general public and the academic sphere.

"All these representatives are expected to exchange ideas on data-related opportunities and challenges in order to attempt to find a solution to 3 essential points: - Would the primacy of personal data granted by the European Union be incompatible with the 'business' of data? - How can the growing intricacy of data be reconciled with the application of the concept of property? - How can a climate of trust conducive to new user habits  be created for the citizen, corporation, territorial authority and the State? " explained General Marc Watin-Augouard, Founder, FIC.

Under the patronage of Mr. François Hollande, President of the French Republic and as part of the dynamic of the national strategy on digital security announced by the Prime Minister Manuel Valls on the 16^th of October, Lille will have the honor of welcoming Bernard Cazeneuve, French Interior Minister; Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Defense Minister; and Axelle Lemaire, Secretary of State for Digital Affairs. Once again, their presence is representative of the State's commitment to cyberdefense and digital security.

Guillaume Poupard, managing director of the ANSSI (French Network and Information Security Agency) will also be present alongside many government bodies.

On the heels of the decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union declaring the US Safe Harbor framework invalid, a large international turnout is expected at the FIC 2016, notably with the participation of numerous foreign delegations. By reviving the debate on the protection of private data, Europe itself will be widely represented during this 8th edition of the FIC with the creation of a British pavilion and the presence of several German, Luxembourger and Swedish companies.

"Despite being aware of their exposure to all sorts of attackers and intrusions that may have adverse effects on their brand's reputation or finances, large French corporations are still hesitant with regard to cybersecurity. Only trusted professionals are in a position to resolve this paradoxical situation and allow them to make a smooth technological transition," explained Michel Van Den Bergue, Managing Director, Orange Cyberdéfense. "We can't wait to share our experience as a trusted partner during the 2016 edition of the FIC."

Addressing a mixed audience of cybersecurity and risk management experts wishing to share their experience, as well as specialists and business directors concerned about overcoming major strategic, legal, industrial or technological challenges relating to digital security, the FIC will keep up its efforts to give priority to content and facilitate exchanges.

To constantly encourage innovation in digital trust within a dedicated area for startups, SMEs and clusters, the FIC 2016 will also organize the Innovative SME Award, sponsored by Airbus Defence and Space. Currently, 40 SME candidates are vying for the award, 90% of which are new contenders that were not at last year's FIC.