Registration open till 16 September 2026
The Benelux security and privacy meeting is organized since 2024 by SURF, Belnet and the Restena Foundation, respectively acting as the National Research and Education Network (NREN) for the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
After being organized in Brussels (Belgium) in 2024 and in Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) in 2025 with around 50 participants, the third edition of the meeting will gather interested Benelux professionals in Maastricht (The Netherlands).
What is the meeting for?
To share, discuss and learn about cybersecurity and data privacy topics, , including:
- NIS2 in practice
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in practice
- Human centred security
- Security incidents and data breaches
- European health data space
What is the programme?*
* As of 7 September 2026 (subject to minor changes)
Day 1 – Monday 28 September 2026
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Arrival and lunch |
| 13:00 - 13:15 | Welcome by SURF/Restena/Belnet and Who’s in the room |
| 13:15 - 13:45 | Post it session |
| 13:45 - 15:00 | ‘European health data spaces: what it means for DPO’s’ slot, including • Hanne Elsen, Ghent University • Katya Van Driessche, University hospital of Ghent |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Break |
| 15:30 - 17:00 | ‘AI in practice’ slot, including • Koen Pepermans, University of Antwerp |
| 17:00 - 17:30 | Wrap up of the day |
| 17:30 - 19:00 | Check into hotels |
| 19:00 - 22:00 | Dinner |
Day 2 – Tuesday 29 September 2026
| 09:00 - 09:30 | Arrival with coffee and tea |
| 09:30 - 09:45 | Energizer |
| 09:45 - 10:30 | Keynote talk - European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity |
| 10:30 - 10:45 | Break |
| 10:45 - 12:00 | Panel discussion: human centred security, including • Karel Titeca, KULeuven • Joyce van der Klugt, Hogeschool Rotterdam • Cynthia Wagner, Restena Foundation |
| 12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00 - 14:30 | 'Security’ slot, including • Cynthia Wagner and Denim Latić, Restena Foundation • Francesco Vigna, Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS) • Virin Ramcharan , Erasmus University Rotterdam |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | Break |
| 15:00 - 16:00 | 'Privacy’ slot, including • Laura Hooijen-de Vries, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) • Shiyona Keenakotil, SURF |
| 16:00 | End of meeting |
Who is concerned?
The meeting concerns security and privacy professionals from the Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands research and education communities, with a primary focus on higher education.
How to participate?
- Registration is required to participate in the meeting.
- Interested participants from Luxembourg must register with the Restena Foundation at communication@restena.lu
Location
The Benelux security and privacy meeting 2026 is organized in Maastricht University (The Netherlands):
UM Sports - P. Debyeplein 15, 6229 HA Maastricht (The Netherlands)
→ For the precise location, please visit the UM Sports website.
Journey example by train – Route from Luxembourg-city to Maastricht Randwijck (NL)
- Departure from Luxembourg-city: 28 Sept. 2026 at 8:16
- Arrival in Maastricht: 28 Sept. 2026 at 11:37
- Departure from Maastricht: 29 Sept. 2026 at 16:20
- Arrival in Luxembourg-city: 29 Sept. 2026 at 19:46
Practical information
- Places are limited to 60 participants only, including 20 for Luxembourg.
- The meeting is held in English.
- The dinner on the first day is offered.
- The attendees are responsible for the organisation and cost of travel from Luxembourg to Maastricht.
Contact and registration
Register before 18 September 2026.
Email to: communication@restena.lu
Provide with your:
- Name and surname,
- e-mail address,
- institution name,
- dietary restrictions (optional).