Belgium’s defense and aerospace sector operates at the intersection of national security, advanced manufacturing, and cutting-edge research. Organizations in this space face unique cybersecurity challenges, ranging from intellectual property protection and supply chain security to regulatory compliance and IT/OT convergence. The security leaders featured below play a critical role in safeguarding sensitive systems, aligning cybersecurity with mission-critical operations, and ensuring resilience in one of Belgium’s most strategically important industries.
Benjamin Colart — Chief Information Security Officer, Aerospacelab
Benjamin Colart is the Chief Information Security Officer at Aerospacelab, where he has defined and implemented a company-wide information security strategy aligned with business objectives and evolving threat landscapes. He led the successful ISO/IEC 27001 certification and continuous improvement of the Information Security Management System, while directing enterprise-level cyber, operational, and third-party risk management. His role spans security operations and incident response, security architecture across IT and OT environments, regulatory compliance with GDPR and NIS2, executive and board reporting, and the development of a strong security culture through organization-wide awareness programs.
Marc Colson — Chief Information Security Officer, Safran
Marc Colson is the Chief Information Security Officer at Safran, bringing more than 25 years of experience in information systems security and cybersecurity. His long-standing career reflects deep expertise in securing complex, high-assurance environments within the aerospace and defense sector, where operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and protection of sensitive information are paramount.
Fabrice Lahaise — Group Chief Information Security Officer, Sonaca
Fabrice Lahaise serves as Group Chief Information Security Officer at Sonaca and is an experienced cybersecurity expert holding CISM, CISSP, and CCSP certifications. With a background as an IT system engineer and administrator, he has worked across both the financial services and aerospace industries. His expertise includes security operations, cyber risk and intelligence, data loss and fraud prevention, security architecture, identity and access management, governance, investigations, and program management, supported by strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
Ive Akkermans — Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer, Montana Aerospace
Ive Akkermans is the Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Montana Aerospace, with a professional background rooted in the medical device industry. He brings broad experience across information technology leadership, business intelligence, virtualization, and security, combining operational IT oversight with responsibility for cybersecurity in a highly regulated and technically demanding industrial environment.
Cybersecurity Leadership in Belgian Defense & Aerospace
Cybersecurity in Belgium’s defense and aerospace sector is inseparable from national resilience, industrial innovation, and international trust. The CISOs highlighted here demonstrate how long-term experience, strong governance, and close alignment with operational environments are essential to protecting critical systems and sensitive data. Their leadership underscores the growing strategic importance of cybersecurity at the highest levels of defense and aerospace organizations in Belgium.