On January 28-29, 2025, GRNET proudly hosted the GÉANT GN5-2 WP8 Task 1 Kick-off Meeting at its headquarters in Athens, Greece. The meeting brought together representatives from a number of National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) both onsite and online to collaborate on shaping the future of Security within the GÉANT community.
The meeting commenced with a keynote welcome speech by D. Mitropoulos, Assistant Professor at the University of Athens and Head of the Reliability Engineering Directorate (GRE) at GRNET, during which he highlighted the company’s infrastructures, services and projects from a security perspective.
Key Focus Areas of Task 1
The discussions centred on the primary responsibilities of Task 1 – Compliance, emphasising its alignment with the needs of GÉANT members. The core initiatives were highlighted:
- Security Best Practices & Compliance: Establishing a structured framework to assist NRENs in complying with EU regulations and requirements, ensuring a robust security posture across the community.
- Security Bootcamps: A hands-on training initiative designed to support NRENs in implementing the GÉANT Security Baseline Framework. These sessions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of security strategy, structure, roles, responsibilities, and objectives, highlighting the importance of a well-defined security structure and governance within Organisations.
- Peer Reviews: A highly ambitious initiative focused on the monitoring phase of security. After implementation and training, it is essential to assess and monitor an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Given the challenges some NRENs face in securing budgets for audits and finding auditors familiar with their environments, Peer Reviews will enable experienced auditors/reviewers to collaborate with NRENs, sharing their expertise and strengthening inter-NREN cooperation. This exchange of knowledge fosters stronger bonds and mutual growth across the community.
The meeting marked a dynamic start for the GN5-2 WP8 Task 1 activities, reinforcing the commitment to collaboration, innovation, and enhancing cybersecurity within the research and education community.
GRNET is present in global networking for research and education, representing Greece in GÉANT, the collaboration of European National Research and Education Networks, delivering an information ecosystem of infrastructure and services to advance research, education and innovation on a global scale.
