The team after a morning of meetings and presentations at the eSecure offices
In a bold move to bolster Africa’s digital defenses, the iLabAfrica Team embarked on a strategic mission to the heart of Eastern Europe. Poland, renowned for its rich history, technological advancement, and robust cybersecurity ecosystem, became the stage for this pivotal expedition. Led by Dr. Joseph Sevilla- Director @iLabAfrica, Eunice Maingi-Manager IT security (@iLabAfrica ), John Mwangi – Representative of the Polish Kenya Chamber of Commerce, TIMU) and Pat Muthui-CEO of BCK Kenya Ltd (TaiSoc) the delegation traversed the country, engaging with industry leaders and academic institutions to forge new partnerships.
The expedition kicked off with strategic and product evaluation meetings at the eSecure offices in Warsaw. Michal Ostrowski, Chief Revenue Officer, and Krzysztof Gortat, the CEO briefed the team on the company, its vision, mission, products, and the size of operations in Poland.
The highlight was a presentation on Secure Visio software, a cyber resilience SIEM+, server, and endpoint monitoring platform. The software allows the company to monitor and respond to security threats efficiently before adversely affecting an organization’s operations. Cyber Fortress platform (or Cyber Bastion), a cyber security exercise, and a scenario-based training platform that uses gamification were also explored. This platform allows for simulations in cybersecurity-related decision-making where different teams compete to see who makes the most optimal decisions by implementing the required mitigation measures in a given scenario of a cyber incident. It also incorporates non-tech decision-makers in the decision-making process.
To gain a deeper understanding of SecureVisio and the innovation driving it, the team visited TRECOM, the parent company of eSecure. Here, they explored the Network Operations Centre (NOC) and Security Operations Centre (SOC), witnessing the advanced network equipment in action and gaining a thorough overview of the company’s sophisticated monitoring and backup systems.
At Marie Curie University (UMCS) in Lublin
The team’s next stops were Kozminski University, Wsei University, and the University of Maria Curie-Sklodowska in Lublin engaging industry leaders and academia in collaborative discussions aimed at fostering future partnerships and understanding cutting-edge technologies. At Kosminski University, Valentyna Guminska, Director of International Relations welcomed them, setting the stage for an engaging discussion with the Rector, Vice Rector, and faculty members.
At Kozminski University with The Rector, director of International Relations, and other faculty
The journey continued to Lublin where the team visited three prestigious universities: the University of MariaCurie-Skłodowska (UMCS), Lublin University of Technology / Polytechnique Lublin Electrical Engineering & Informatics, and WSEI University. Each university greeted the team with enthusiasm engaging in fruitful discussions about potential joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, and other collaborative efforts. The positive feedback from these institutions laid a promising foundation for future academic partnerships.
Another highlight of the team’s technical exploration was their visit to the DCX warehouse, where they witnessed a game-changing innovation: liquid server cooling technology. This new technology promises to significantly enhance data center efficiency and sustainability, marking a major leap forward in cooling solutions. The excitement continued at the Art of Data Center (AODC) offices, where Dr. Konrad Czernichowski provided an in-depth walkthrough. His expertise in data center projects, covering everything from analysis and design to creation and operations, offered the team a profound understanding of the complexities and innovations in data center management.
The warm hospitality from the eSecure and TRECOM teams stood out during the trip. Special thanks go to Piotr Sek (Business Development Officer) and Kristian Mika (Key Accounts Manager), whose dedication and generosity ensured the success of the teams’ meetings and overall experience. Their exceptional efforts in coordinating our interactions with key industry players and academic institutions are appreciated.
As the trip concluded with a farewell dinner hosted by the eSecure team, the delegation reflected on the invaluable insights gained and the exciting opportunities for future collaborations. This visit underscored the power of international partnerships and the importance of nurturing relationships across borders.
Do zobaczenia! Do widzenia!
-see you! Goodbye!
By @iLabAfrica Research and Innovation Centre, Strathmore University.