Understanding modern cyber threats

On 7 October 2025, I attended the Tech & Meet event “Threat Intelligence: From Threats to Tactics” at Howest University of Applied Sciences in Bruges. The session focused on Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and how organizations can better prepare for today’s and tomorrow’s cybersecurity threats.

The event provided an accessible introduction to threat intelligence and demonstrated how organizations collect, analyze, and use information about cyber threats to strengthen their security posture. Through practical examples and real-world insights, the speakers showed how intelligence-driven security can help organizations make informed decisions and improve resilience.

Insights from cybersecurity professionals

The seminar was presented by Sandro Manzo and Niels Desloover from the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CyTRIS). They shared their experience working with threat intelligence and explained how threat actors, tactics, and attack trends are monitored and analyzed.

One of the most valuable aspects of the session was learning how threat intelligence supports proactive cybersecurity strategies. Instead of only reacting to incidents, organizations can use intelligence to anticipate threats and strengthen their defenses before attacks occur.

Networking and knowledge sharing

Beyond the presentations, the event also offered an excellent opportunity to connect with other students, professionals, and cybersecurity enthusiasts. The networking session allowed participants to exchange ideas, discuss industry trends, and learn from different perspectives within the cybersecurity community.

Building these connections was just as valuable as the technical content itself. Meeting professionals who are actively working in the field provided additional insight into career paths and current developments within cybersecurity.

What I learned

This Tech & Meet session strengthened my understanding of Cyber Threat Intelligence and highlighted the importance of proactive security measures. It showed how intelligence, analysis, and collaboration play a critical role in defending organizations against modern cyber threats.

Overall, it was an informative and inspiring event that expanded my knowledge of cybersecurity while providing opportunities to learn from experts and connect with professionals in the industry.