Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs

As project manager of a strategic cybersecurity initiative at the Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, I led the integration of additional security software with the goal of significantly strengthening the organization’s digital resilience.

The project was designed to structurally embed cybersecurity into the day-to-day operations of the FPS, which involved not only technological changes but also organizational transformation. One of the main challenges was aligning a wide range of internal teams, each of which needed to integrate additional steps into their daily workflows. We paid particular attention to overcoming resistance, building buy-in, and ensuring sustainable adoption.

The project was structured into several clear phases:

Analysis & Requirement Gathering: We collected insights and needs through targeted workshops and interviews with key stakeholders across the organization.

Development & Client Workshops: The solution was developed in co-creation with the client, allowing space for iterative feedback and continuous refinement.

Extensive Testing: The system was thoroughly tested in a controlled environment, focusing on usability, performance, and integration with existing processes.

Awareness & Training: At the same time, we focused on awareness-raising and training to properly prepare teams for the new way of working and ensure a smooth transition.

Currently, the project is temporarily on hold due to political reasons, which of course affects the planned rollout. Nevertheless, the entire team is fully prepared to resume implementation at full speed as soon as the green light is given. The foundations are in place, the collaboration with the client remains strong, and the involved teams are ready for the next phase.

We look forward to reactivating this important initiative and continuing to build a safer and more resilient digital government.