Le Mag EBRC - 2018-2019 edition by EBRC

THE MAG IT for today and tomorrow 2O18-2O19 edition

CYBER-RESILIENCE,

A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY

P.4

FULL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

FOR KBL EPB

P.16

FINTECH

AT THE HEART OF DIGITAL EUROPE

P.19

USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

FOR COMPLIANCE BY DESIGN

P.2O

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

Synopsis

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

Dear Clients, Partners, Colleagues, and Readers We are all members, stakeholders, decision-makers or leaders of our digital

concrete example of the “Tech4Good” approach described on pages

community.

24 and 25. This story should be shared widely and the lessons committed to memory.

In a previous white paper entitled “Digital needs Trust”, we described the challenges facing our core business: how to build together a trusted digital

CYBER-RESILIENCE: WHERE DO WE START? Download our "Cyber-Resilience towards Cyber-Reliance" White Paper

CYBER-RESILIENCE,

a major challenge for the 21st century – Yves Reding, CEO, EBRC

https://www.ebrc.com/en/whitepapers

CYBER-RESILIENCE

in your organisation

RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTING

9 1O

Digital transformation can improve banking services, offer improved Each of us are driven by the same ambition, whatever our respective areas

transaction transparency thanks to blockchain technology, and improve

of activity, whether that be banking, other financial businesses, FinTechs,

customer analyses (KYC).

e-commerce, health, pharmaceuticals, bio-technologies, European and international institutions, manufacturing, digital services, space, defence, law

FOUR KEY COMPONENTS

However, there should be no doubt that exploring the digital world

Building a better world with digital.

requires forethought and planning. Navigating the cyber-seas offers new perspectives, but appropriate techniques must be used, and prospective

Digital offers unlimited opportunities, and may be the solution to some

travellers must learn to protect themselves against the risks inherent to

of the greatest challenges humanity faces, including hunger, improving

cyberspace. Only then will they be cyber-resilient (see pages 4 to 15).

medical diagnostics and healthcare.

of Cyber-Resilience

THE 5 GOLDEN RULES

for Business Resilience

EBRC - European Business Reliance Centre - is your trusted partner. The electronic patient record of the “e-Santé” agency (a development we

We are a digital specialist which offers advice to help navigate the

assisted with and provide IT operations for) pursues that objective: saving

cyber-seas and provide cyber-confidence. We will help you increase the

lives and improving health by developing a form of personalised healthcare.

pace, take advantage of favourable winds, assist you as you seek to avoid and face-up to cyber-storms, and do everything so that you reach your

– Christophe Ruppert, Senior Consultant, EBRC

SNAPSHOT

of a Tier IV Data Centre – Bruno Fery, Head of Data Centre Services, EBRC

Céline Bardet’s project entitled “We Are Not Weapons of War”, was developed

FULL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FINTECH

– Jean-François Hugon, Head of Marketing, EBRC

Published by: EBRC

Layout:

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY 2O forUSING compliance by design – Fabrice Croiseaux, CEO, InTech

KAMOO STUDIO

arnaud@kamoostudio.com www.kamoostudio.com +352 691 461 806

I-HUB, MUTUALISED KYC

continuous management platform

EBRC KEY NUMBERS

DIGITAL

a new defence against rape as a Weapon of War – Céline Bardet, Founder & President, WWoW

MEDICAL BIOLOGY

a high voltage sector

– Dr Jean-Luc Dourson, General Manager & Founder, BioneXt LAB

12 %

> 4OO

since 2015

the management of their

average growth

clients entrust EBRC with

> 7O

awards and certifications

ICT and security

71 M€ turnover in 2017

– Pascal Morosini, CEO, i-Hub

Yves Reding CEO I EBRC

(with support provided by InTech and EBRC) is an inspiration to all. It is a

for KBL epb

at the heart of digital Europe

desired destination safely.

in cooperation with ShareIT within the French “Station F” incubator

– Éric Mansuy, Group Head of IT & Operations, KBL epb

We believe in the tremendous potential of digital.

firms, start-ups, and many others.

what you need to know

– Philippe Dann, Head of Risk & Business Advisory, EBRC

Digital can be used to develop a more socially-responsible world.

ecosystem.

offices in 7 major French cities

O downtime

availability since 2000

Data Centres

> 34O

100% Data Centres

FinTech clients since 2011

Tier IV certified

employees

(210 in Luxembourg and 130 in France)

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

Cyber-Resilience,

a major challenge for the 21 century st

Cyber-Resilience and essential Services — Risk Management, Business Continuity, Cyber-Security, Crisis Management

The European NIS directive, aimed at considerably strengthening European digital resilience, concerns all stakeholders. Affected in particular will be the so-called “operators of essential services” such as the energy sector, transportation, banks, market infrastructure, health, digital infrastructure and “digital service providers”.

The beginning of the 21st century is a pivotal time. Our world is rapidly

EBRC - European Business Reliance Centre - puts its “Cyber-Resilience”

acquired in a range of sectors including European finance (banking, funds,

moving towards a new virtual world based on digital.

experience and know-how at the service of businesses, thus supporting

FinTech, insurance, etc.) and with national and international stakeholders

their efforts to comply with these new requirements.

in the fields of e-commerce, the health and biobank sector, manufacturing

While the third industrial revolution is centred on processing the new key

industries, international institutions, the defence sector, the space sector,

raw material, data, the fourth industrial revolution will be more revolutionary

EBRC’s pragmatic “Cyber-Resilience” strategy is based on experience

ICT services, major law firms, start-ups, and more. EBRC’s clients have

still. We can already see the outlines of this new world. It will be based on the

acquired over the course of 18 years in the field of risk management,

to be able to guarantee high levels of data availability, confidentiality,

convergence of new technologies including artificial intelligence, extreme

Business Continuity management, sensitive-data protection and security,

integrity and auditability, as well as ensuring operational effectiveness in

robotics, quantum computing, nano-technologies and genetic engineering.

and Cyber-Security consulting services, all the time ensuring alignment

an increasingly regulated environment.

Future generations may spend much of their lives outside the physical

with best practices and international certifications. This experience was

world. Our children and grandchildren will experience and have to contend with the reality we are building today. In the course of the 21st century, our civilisation will have to face two major challenges:

EBRC Trusted Advisory Services:

warming and other challenges. These are issues faced by over 7.5 billion

an end-to-end support

human beings daily;

— From Cyber-Security to Cyber-Resilience - Yves Reding, CEO, EBRC

• Developing resilience in the virtual world currently under construction.

“Guaranteeing Business Continuity in a

Unlike Cyber-Security, Cyber-Resilience looks

The Cyber-Resilience promoted by EBRC

Our digital world has two aspects: a positive vision of improved services

digital environment increasingly exposed

beyond technical considerations, and focuses

makes Cyber-Security a central focus for

and solutions, and a darker side with the potential for threats as described in

to risks requires new proactive and better

on developing an effective immune system

the business.

“Nineteen Eighty-Four” by George Orwell or by Aldous Huxley in “A Brave New

integrated strategies. EBRC promotes

for each digitally-dependent line of business.

World”. More recent non-fiction works describe in more detail the new risks

Cyber-Resilience by implementing the

The risk is evaluated and mitigated in order

"Business Continuity is guaranteed by

inherent in cyberspace, for example “Cyber War: The Next Threat to National

latest standards and best practices to

to limit the impact of the incident, to quickly

continuously

Security” (Richard Clarke, 2010) and “Dark Territory” (Fred Kaplan, 2016).

enable system protection “by design” and

detect threats, to enable critical applications to

detecting, responding to the incident and

to provide guarantees to organisations that

continue running, to preserve data, and quickly

restoring systems.

trust in digital.

resume business as usual.”

• Developing the resilience of our planet’s ecosystem, by controlling global

Only a few of us have a clear understanding of the intrinsic risks of the digital world. Yet digital hygiene and cyber-immunity have to become part of the Yves Reding CEO I EBRC

identifying,

protecting,

To this end, EBRC anticipated the

daily routine of our professional and private lives. Thus Cyber-Resilience

In 2017, we learned that no organisation is

implementation of the NIS directive,

remains a major challenge, as the global socio-economic ecosystem will

immune from cyber-attack and incidents

which had to be transcribed into national

soon be entirely dependent on digital.

with the potential for economic and/or reputational impact. EBRC’s teams look beyond the usual principles of protection to offer a comprehensive and integrated Cyber-Resilience strategy aimed at ensuring Business Continuity. In essence, resilience is the ability of a body or a system to

BENEFITS FOR THE CLIENT IDENTIFY, PROTECT, DETECT, RESPOND AND RECOVER

legislation since mid-May 2018. As a “digital service provider” working for “essential service operators”, EBRC intends to take its responsibilities seriously by building a strong ecosystem and alliances with European partners. This way, customers can be sure to trust digital in Europe."

recover its initial properties after alteration.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

Cyber-Resilience IN YOUR ORGANISATION CYBER-RESILIENCE

IN YOUR EnsuringORGANISATION the security and the continuity of your business

Ensuring the continuity of your business

KEY POINTS OF CYBER-RESILIENCE: KEY POINTS OF CYBER-RESILIENCE: • Being aware of and complying with the regulatory framework: GDPR, NIS, supervisory authorities

• Knowledge of and compliance with the regulatory framework: GDPR, NIS, supervisory authorities (finance, insurance, trans (finance, insurance, transport, health, etc.) port, health, etc.) • Adopting international risk management and business resilience standards: ISO 31000, ISO 27001,

• Adopting international standards risk management and business resilience:ISO 31OOO, ISO 27OO1, ISO 27O18, ISO 27O32, ISO 27018, ISOfor 27032, ISO 22301, ISO 22316 ISO 22301, ISO 22316 • Adopting and/or imposing upon service providers an appropriate level of security based on the relevant certifications: Tier IV Data Centre, PCI DSS, HDS/HDH (Health Data Host), ISO 27001, ISO 22301 • Adopting and/or imposing ons service providers the appropriate level of security and continuity on the basis of certification: Tier IV Data Centre, PCI DSS, HDS (Health Data Host), ISO 27O01, ISO 223O1 • Designing or transforming existing infrastructure by integrating “Security and Privacy by design”: proxy,

firewall, antivirus, anti-DDoS, mail security, sandboxing, IPS/IDS, WAF

• Designing or transforming existing infrastructure by adopting an approach based on ensuring “Security and privacy by design”: proxy, firewall, anti-DDoS, mail security, sandboxing, IPS/IDS,allWAF • anti-virus, Continuously raising awareness, training and informing employees and stakeholders about Cyber-Resilience

• Raising awareness, continuously training and informing all employees and stakeholders about cyber-resilience • Ensuring the business’ ability to deploy those resources, or opting for a partner able to provide support in the implementation of Cyber-Resilience. This includes audit, consultancy, risk management, • Decide on the company’s ability to deploy such resources or opt for a partner able to provide support in the implementation of Business Continuity, certified Data Centres, operational and integrated security management cyber-resilience: audit, consulting, risk management, business continuity, certified data centres, operational and integrated (SOC/CERT), IT infrastructure management, certification programmes, and more. security management (SOC/CERT), IT infrastructure management, certification programmes, etc

Philippe Dann Head of Risk - Business Advisory I EBRC

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT 1

PREPARE

ADV KEY PEOPLE CEO, CISO, BCM, CRO, DPO

RECOVER

KEY PEOPLE CIO, CISO, BCM, CRO

ADV

ACTIVITIES • Back to normal operations • Forensics • Continuous improvement • Legal • Communication

IDENTIFY

ACTIVITIES • Business impact analysis • Risk assessment • Cyber-Resilience audit • Compliance & standards • Cyber-Resilience strategy • Governance & policies • Awareness & exercise

KEY PEOPLE CIO, CISO, BCM

ADV

ACTIVITIES • Gap analysis Business/IT • Vulnerability assessment • Penetration test • Technology watch • Vulnerability watch

3 6

KEY PEOPLE CIO, CISO, BCM

RESPOND

KEY PEOPLE CEO, CISO, BCM, CRO, DPO

ADV

ACTIVITIES • Decisional crisis management • Crisis communication • Containment • Remediation • Business continuity

PROTECT

4 5

ANALYSE

KEY PEOPLE CIO, CISO, BCM ACTIVITIES • Threat analysis • Prioritisation • Operational crisis management

ADV

ACTIVITIES • Risk mitigation • Continuity management • Security management • High availability architecture • Data centre availability • Change management

DETECT

KEY PEOPLE CIO, CISO, BCM

ADV

ACTIVITIES • Log correlation • Real-time alert • Incident management

EBRC EXPERTISE ADV – ADVISORY CERT – COMPUTER EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM MS – MANAGED SERVICES SOC – SECURITY OPERATION CENTER

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

Risk Management consulting

Four key components of Cyber-Resilience

— An interview with Philippe Dann, Head of Risk & Business Advisory, EBRC

WHY OPT FOR EBRC?

EBRC’s consultants support businesses by understanding the challenges faced while responding to needs efficiently and meeting clear targets.

Our clients benefit from our advice and proven solutions, all of which are tai-

Businesses face three key challenges:

EBRC consultants are experienced and certified in information security manage-

lored to meet numerous regulatory requirements.

Each brings the potential for new IT security incidents, including hacking attempts. Threats come in many forms, each with their own range of impacts on information system availability. These can range from denial of service attacks to leaks of personal or corporate data and intellectual property, as well as threats to information integrity.

ment, risk analysis, management of Business Continuity and related vulnerabili1 Regulation. GDPR, NIS and sector-specific rules.

ties, “ethical hacking”, forensics, and security log and component management.

2 Cyber. New threats affecting the availability, integrity and confidentiality

They work closely with EBRC’s Data Centre internal service teams, database

managers, project managers, IT architects, security engineers, systems and

of data will continue to appear.

3 Economic. Risk management and investment strategies must be modified

ETHICAL HACKING

CERT/SOC

FORENSIC: post-mortem analysis

Identify

Identify, Detect, Analyse, Respond, Recover

Recover

EBRC’s ethical hackers work to identify a given

CERT:

Response

Risk is a certainty in cyberspace. If a cyber-

PCI DSS, and SIEM solutions certifications. The

system’s vulnerabilities and weaknesses. They

Teams, also known as Computer Security

attack has been successful, even if security

company operates infrastructure and provides top-level

operate according to a tightly controlled mission

Incident Response Teams (CSIRT), are skills

measures taken, it is crucial to:

statement that follows strict ethical rules.

centres tasked with alerting and responding

network engineers, etc.

to meet threats.

WHAT CAN BE DONE? EBRC’s consulting work takes each client’s strategy and constraints into

EBRC has ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 27018,

account by first gaining full understanding of each unique business profile

services to over 400 international customers requiring

and challenges.

high-performance service models.

A risk-based approach is used to provide support for operational, regulatory, and business matters. Our consultants interact with operational teams and management to analyse existing resources, develop and fine-tune action plans but also provide support when obtaining certification.

EBRC’s expertise in analysing vulnerabilities and conducting intrusion tests is based on hundreds of tests carried out on its own and on clients’ infrastructure.

Computer

Emergency

to cyber-attacks. They centralise support

• Ascertain what happened and how by collec-

Their objectives include:

requests following security incidents, process

• Working with clients to identify security

alerts, establish and maintain a database of

vulnerabilities, either from hackers working

vulnerabilities, and disseminate information

• Audit and analyse the attack. This involves

internally or through connections with

on the precautions to be taken in order to

reconstructing the incident, and identifying

partners;

minimise risk. They also coordinate with other

the damage and residual risks based on

entities such as network competence centres,

evidence collected;

ting evidence and tracing access;

SUPPORT IN OBTAINING CERTIFICATIONS

EBRC offers outsourcing services: “CISO as a Service”,

• Conducting penetration tests on networks/

internet operators and ISPs, as well as national

EBRC’s consultants have supported several major businesses working to

“DPO as a Service”, security improvement programmes,

information systems using the same methods

and international CSIRTs. In short, they

• Organise resources to block and contain

as malicious hackers;

accumulate knowledge in order to anticipate

the attack as soon as possible in order to avoid

and maximise responsiveness to cyber-attacks.

it spreading;

identified vulnerabilities in order to imple-

SOC: a Security Operations Centre is an

• Once the attack has been contained, it is

ment effective protective measures.

information systems supervision mechanism.

necessary to identify the compromised

It detects incidents, analyses them, and defines

components, thus enabling the system to be

EBRC consultants provide technical suggestions,

the response strategy. The SOC’s experts

restored to operation.

identify security vulnerabilities, and suggest

continuously analyse events reported by the

Support for obtaining ISO 22301 Business Continuity

action plans. They also conduct risk analyses on

system and identify potential Cyber-Security risks.

EBRC’s approach is based on legally-recognised

certification: ARENDT SERVICES became the first certified PFS in

potential security vulnerabilities, including an

Its main purpose is to provide 24/7 monitoring of

information collection solutions which provide

assessment of the impact on the business, the

the information system.

the client with relevant and admissible evidence.

achieve different levels of certification:

alignment with international standards all the way up

to ISO certification. Preparatory work to achieve Tier IV certifications from Uptime

• Suggesting countermeasures to address

Institute. This helped the first (and so far only) France-based

EBRC has its own SOC (Security Operations Centre)

Data Centre of a major French bank achieve this highest level.

and CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) for

Tier IV certification is the highest ranking as regards Data Centre

clients that need added security.

security and continuity.

Luxembourg in 2016. EBRC helped a leading insurance broker in

WE APPLY OUR RECOMMENDATIONS INTERNALLY

France achieve this certification.

customer’s regulatory framework, etc. EBRC supports its clients with technical and

EBRC helped many businesses in the Grand Duchy of

AN ECOSYSTEM OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS

Luxembourg and in Belgium with ISO 27001:2013 certification

As well as the skills and experience of our consultants, EBRC has

preparation and exercises to define roles and

regarding their information security management systems.

partnerships with companies offering innovative solutions that boost

responsibilities, and provide support for crisis

EBRC acquired its own ISO 27001 certification in 2010.

efficiency and provide measurable added value. These partners include

This combined with extensive practical experience, enables

EGERIE, Guidance Software OpenText, Omada, WALLIX, Phosforea. EBRC

clients to have full confidence in the support we provide.

uses, integrates and sells these solutions.

organisational

CYBER-RESILIENCE: WHERE DO WE START?

matters,

including

upstream

management efforts.

Download our “Cyber-Resilience towards Cyber-Reliance” White Paper Author: EBRC

https://www.ebrc.com/en/whitepapers Author: EBRC

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

The 5 golden rules for Business Resilience

Companies need a business-based approach to ensure continuity and recovery of their activities if disaster strikes. A Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

— Business Impact Analysis: guaranteeing Business Resilience

is crucial, and is a fundamental prerequisite to achieving ISO 22301 certification related to Business Continuity management systems. Christophe Ruppert, Senior Consultant, Lead Implementer & Lead Auditor ISO 22301, Business Continuity Management Practice Lead at EBRC explains. Business Continuity has proven its worth since the concept emerged in the 1980s; addressing some of the issues surrounding disaster recovery plans. Most efforts have been focused on IT, with the aim of guaranteeing system availability or quick recovery after an incident. However, it is only since the 2010s that the concept has been extended, notably with the BS 25999 standard and the creation of the ISO 22301 certificate. “The scope of Business Continuity is now much wider. Projects are often driven by the board based on a holistic business approach”, said Christophe Ruppert. EBRC, as a Business Continuity expert, supports its customers as they work to improve their Cyber-Resilience.

RULE N° 1 UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS TO ASSESS THE RISKS

RULE N° 3 HAVE THE RIGHT PLANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

RULE N° 4 ASSESS THE PROCESSES TO IDENTIFY THE BEST SOLUTIONS

“Understanding how the business operates is

RULE N° 2 IDENTIFY CRITICAL ACTIVITIES AND ASSESS INTERRUPTION TOLERANCE

Needs can differ from one department to

A Business Impact Analysis is at the heart of

RULE N° 5 MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR YOURSELF. MAKE USE OF ISO 223O1 CERTIFICATION

a prerequisite of knowing what impacts are

“We conduct interview to identify critical

the next. Every process needs assessing

Business Continuity planning. It involves risk

ISO

possible, said Christophe Ruppert. There is much

activities, as well as interdependencies between

individually. “In most cases, decisions are

analysis which identifies threats that may

developed to enable organisations to benefit

more to this than just system management.

departments and with external stakeholders,”

made by senior management as they are best

interrupt critical activities, and assessing their

from continuous improvement. It is the ideal

First, core activities have to be identified and the

said Christophe Ruppert. “We challenge

placed to understand the range and severity of

occurrence probability. “We take the processes,

basis from which to build robust Business

related processes understood. Only then can a

teams and managers in each department. Our

different risks. When a major incident strikes,

compare them to the threat, and this enables us

Continuity policies and plans. “The challenge

full Business Impact Analysis be carried out.

extensive experience enables us to make an

management needs to take hard headed

to achieve the most robust recovery solutions,

is to improve overall business protection by

It is important to understand the potential short,

assessment, to define a framework for action,

decisions related to the critical nature of each

all the while assessing the resilience of your

achieving a higher level of understanding of

medium and long-term impact should a critical

featuring suggestions for best practice. This way

process or database affected. Also relevant is

critical suppliers”, advised Christophe Ruppert.

processes and their inherent risks. Thus we

process be halted.”

the consequences of business interruption can

the exposure level of the wider industry and

ensure that the business is a solid partner for

be evaluated for each team and department.

customers”, said Christophe Ruppert. The needs

all stakeholders including customers, partners,

This first step is to conduct a Business Impact

Various criteria can be used including recovery

of every team have to be considered when

and the regulator”, said Christophe Ruppert.

Analysis. This can only be carried out with in-

time objective (RTO), recovery point objective

building the critical processes needed to obtain

“Such certification is reassuring and helps

depth knowledge of the organisation to identify

(RPO), maximum acceptable outage (MAO)

Business Continuity certification.

reinforce trust in Business Continuity”. EBRC

which activities are critical and how each

and minimum Business Continuity objective

provides support to institutions in the finance,

employee fits into each process.

(MBCO). Thanks to these indicators, we can

banking, manufacturing and insurance sectors

define the bearable level of interruption for

to help them become ISO 22301 certified.

22301

certification

was

specifically

each department, so that resilience measures can be defined accordingly.”

Author: EBRC

According to Christophe Ruppert, Senior Consultant, Lead Implementer & Lead Auditor ISO 22301, Business Continuity Management Practice Lead, EBRC,

Understand the difference Christophe Ruppert Senior Consultant I EBRC

between risks and threats

many people do not understand the key difference between a risk and a threat. It is common to confuse risk and threat, but it is crucial to understand the difference. Threats can be identified, whether it is the disclosure of information, corruption, intrusion into IT systems or a violent terrorist act. Threats can affect one or more processes, depending on their vulnerability. Assessing risk requires the threats to be identified and their probability defined. It is also necessary to assess the potential impact on the business of each on financial resources, on reputation, and with regulators. This indicates whether risk is low, medium, or high. Using this information and these indicators, the management will be able to choose to eliminate, mitigate or accept the risk.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

SNAPSHOT

OF A TIER IV DATA CENTRE

What is Tier IV certification?

Back then, although white papers had been

WHAT ACTIVITIES DOES THE DATA CENTRE SUPPORT? HOW DOES IT ACHIEVE THIS?

published there was no formal certification

EBRC offers a range of comprehensive,

process. This is why we decided in that year

integrated IT services across six business

to build the first Tier-IV-ready Data Centre

lines: advisory, managed services, cloud,

in Luxembourg. Subsequently, in 2013, the

security, resilience (Business Continuity) and

Resilience Centre South was certified as a

Data Centre. This positioning enables each

Tier IV Constructed Facility, becoming the very

client to develop their projects from top to

first Data Centre in Luxembourg, the third in

bottom, and this with a single provider which

Europe, and the ninth in the world to obtain

is fully versed in the intricacies of each IT

this highest certification level.

component. We have modelled four pathways

In 2005, some clients expressed a preference for being hosted in a Tier IV Data Centre.

— An interview with Bruno Fery, Head of Data Centre Services, EBRC

WHY OBTAIN TIER IV “CONSTRUCTED FACILITY” CERTIFICATION?

to meet our clients’ expectations: digital EBRC’s clients manage sensitive data. They

transformation, tailored projects, start-up

must trust their IT service provider fully

and innovation, and business development

to guarantee high availability and high

in Europe. Capitalising on our experience

performance for their critical services and

this way provides optimised responses and

“Uptime Institute’s international Tier IV

networks. Over the years, EBRC has developed

reduced lead times.

certification, much like the ISO 27001,

unique expertise in designing, implementing

ISO 20000 and ISO 22301 standards, enables

and operating critical IT infrastructure,

EBRC’s offering was initially shaped by the

us to prove the quality of our offering as an IT

delivering on our promises and providing very

financial sector’s requirement to integrate

service provider. This international standard

high levels of resilience and security.

security “by design” into their infrastructure.

is a prerequisite for growing business with

This added value has increasingly become

global companies. We need this because EBRC

EBRC uses state-of-the-art infrastructure to

a priority in every industry we work with:

has more than 400 clients from 45 countries.

offer constant availability. Redundant hosting

banking, insurance, other financial businesses,

Selecting a Data Centre is frequently the first

capabilities ensure that our clients’ systems and

government, e-commerce, health, FinTech,

step taken by clients as part of their strategy for

data are safe in all of our Tier IV certified fault-

defence, state institutions, and space.

developing business in Europe. Most often it is

tolerant Data Centres. They are built to “design and

the base from where central decision-making

constructed facility” standards.

activities are based. Having certification of that

management and guaranteeing Business

we have acquired, with this verified by

Institute is the sole tangible assurance of quality

Continuity. This approach makes maintaining

independent audits. Ultimately this saves our

delivered by their Data Centre service provider.

our clients’ business operations a priority.

clients a lot of time,” explained Bruno Fery. “For example: we set up VALVE’s entire European infrastructure in just a few weeks. EBRC’s Tier IV Data Centres support the gaming technology developed by this firm, the Seattle-

gaming experience, with continuous operation and high availability combined with very low

continuous improvement:

Prepare

2. Identify 3.

Protect

Detect

5. Analyse 6.

Respond

Recover

This process is also based on ISO standards.

approach to Cyber-Resilience offering crisis For our clients, certification issued by Uptime

enabled them to continue offering an optimal

there are seven key steps to the process of

In 2018, EBRC crystallised a cross-cutting

calibre is a clear guarantee of the expertise

based world leader in online gaming. This

Starting with a Business Impact Analysis (BIA),

“A ‘COMMERCIAL’ DATA CENTRE WITH TIER IV FACILITY CERTIFICATION IS A CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENT.”

Cyber-Resilience = ISO 31000 + ISO 27001 + ISO 22301 + ISO 22316

latency times. This is thanks to the excellent connectivity available in Luxembourg. Gamers have demanding expectations, and high availability and low latency are often the most Bruno Fery Head of Data Centre Services I EBRC

JULIAN KUDRITZKI, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF UPTIME INSTITUTE

crucial requirements. Other industries, such as

It also uses very sophisticated protection and

in the FinTech space, also have similarly high

response facilities such as a CERT and a SOC,

requirements.”

both of which EBRC has created internally.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

WHAT ADVANTAGES HAS OBTAINING TIER IV CERTIFICATION BROUGHT? WHAT CHALLENGES HAS IT ENABLED YOU TO MEET? “Communication and procedures," replied

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

SOME KEY FACTS ABOUT EBRC DATA CENTRES

COMBINE THE LATEST CARBON-FOOTPRINT REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY WITH TIER IV CRITERIA

Bruno Fery.

With five interconnected Data Centres, for a total in excess of 15,000 m² of private and shared server space spread out across Luxembourg, EBRC offers state-of-the-art infrastructures meeting the highest client

Obtaining Tier IV Constructed Facility certification for the Resilience Centre South was quite a

Kyoto wheels

to undergo an on-site audit conducted by experts

cooling using indirect air with an adiabatic exchanger as a free cooling system

company offering network connectivity that provides access to 70% of European GDP a direct fibre optic link connects the European

after auditors conducted breakdown simulations

Reliance Centre East to SES, the world

Use of stored rainwater

More than 70 satellites in two separate orbits

This required close communication between our

(geo-synchronous equatorial orbit - GEO,

IP-Bus topology

helped build additional trust. In practice, 63 critical

for UPS capacity components and distribution channels

tests were performed over the course of a week.

and medium Earth orbit - MEO), SES provides clients in all industries with video distribution and data transfer services.

effectively under considerable pressure. In the

Racks equipped with aisles channelling cold air

end, the feedback from our clients was excellent”,

in order to optimise energy performance

Basic, Non-Redundant

Tier II

Redundant Capacity Components

Tier III

Concurrent Maintenance

Tier IV

Concurrent Maintenance & Fault Tolerance

leading communications satellite operator.

were able to follow this certification process. teams and our clients’ teams, and this experience

Tier I

within a radius of under 500 km. In addition,

from Uptime Institute. Certification was achieved

“EBRC’s Data Centre services team had to work

Performanced-based, globally-accepted Data Centre benchmarking system

requirements. EBRC is a Luxembourg-based

challenge. That Data Centre was the first of three

while the system was operational. Our clients

UPTIME INSTITUTE TIER CLASSIFICATIONS

said Bruno Fery.

Author: EBRC

Another successfully completed major challenge

Natural “free cooling”

involved ensuring that state-of-the-art technology

used and further optimised by pulverised water spray

for carbon footprint reduction was in line with Tier IV criteria. To achieve this, EBRC opted to

Ed Rafter

invest in more expensive technologies which are

Principal of Uptime Institute, June 2013

significantly more efficient in terms of energy “What most impressed was not the

consumption. EBRC was thus able to reduce its carbon emissions by 10,000 tonnes per year thanks to this investment in new technology.

Our methods are based on Uptime Institute’s principle of Starting with the goal

“things”, but rather the human aspect.

in mind, emphasised Bruno Fery. This was particularly the case when aligning our

The most compelling message taken

infrastructures to operational needs; taking into account our clients’ requirements,

from this EBRC TCCF demonstration

CAPEX, OPEX and Tier IV objectives. Each test was prepared ahead of the TCCF (Tier

is not the technical capabilities of the

Certification of Constructed Facility) process.

facility, which are significant, but the commitment of management and the engineering staff. Bruno Fery has truly empowered his

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

engineering staff. All high-performance organisations are committed to the contribution of their human assets to

PROCEDURE METHOD

the organisation, and EBRC exemplifies this corporate thinking and culture. I expect we will hear much more about

EMERGENCY OPERATING PROCEDURES

EBRC and its successes.” Ed Rafter, Principal of Uptime Institute, June 2013.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

KBL European Private Bankers’ (KBL epb)

subsidiaries”, explained Éric Mansuy, Group

services cannot be interrupted. We are very

strategy is to position the group as a European

Head of IT & Operations at KBL epb. "Today, IT

pleased to have been able to contribute, with the

network of banks as trusted partners for their

and business operations are the foundations of

support of our partners, to the success of this IT

private clients. In the broad context of the

the bank’s future".

transformation project. It enables our client KBL to

internationalisation of the management and

Operational performance is key to achieving their ambitions, many of which are focused on

In 2014, the bank had to face some tough facts:

the bank also wished to make a technological

increasing proximity with the client. As a result,

significant medium-term investment had to be

leap. The analyses conducted by the KBL epb

digital platforms have become vital for building

made to its in house Data Centre infrastructure

teams, EBRC and their partners showed that the

a relationship of trust between private bankers

to maintain high levels of reliability and security.

rejuvenation of servers, networks and storage

and their clients.

Supported by an audit conducted by APL’s expert

systems could take place directly in the new Data

face new challenges and opportunities.

— Customer testimonial

FULL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

FOR KBL EPB

KBL European Private Bankers achieved several key digital milestones in recent years. Central to this was a redefinition of their professional platform by deploying the BPO solution of the Lombard Odier group. They also implemented a new technological infrastructure with two new Data Centres in partnership with EBRC. This amounted to a successful alignment targetted at establishing a digital foundation for future growth.

More than simply relocating Data Centres,

services, KBL epb turned to the market leader to

Centres. “New in new, smiled Éric Mansuy. The aim

consolidate its Data Centre activity, while enjoying

is therefore to implement the new equipment in

2017 by achieving several milestones. The bank

significant optimisation of allocated space.

the new rooms dedicated to KBL epb. At one time,

boosted its geographical reach by developing its

At the end of the RFP process, EBRC – European

four Data Centres were interconnected: KBL epb’s

capabilities in Luxembourg through subsidiaries

Business Reliance Centre – was chosen. They are

two historic Data Centres and EBRC’s two new

across Europe. Early in 2017, the KBL epb family

sensitive information experts and are specialised

Tier IV sites”, said Eric Mansuy. This solution

expanded to include the Dutch banks Insinger

in the exploitation and operation of certified

provided much greater latitude to the project

de Beaufort and Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers.

Tier IV Data Centres. They were selected to

aimed at relocating the infrastructure. Associated

Later, the agreement was reached with Société

assist the bank in the implementation of the

costs were controlled because they were

Générale de Banque du Liban for the sale of

new Data Centre infrastructure to a clear road

accounted for in the project plan and helped by

KBL Richelieu (France) and KBL Monaco Private

map. According to Yves Reding, CEO of EBRC:

the flexibility of the EBRC model.

Bankers.

“Transforming a bank’s digital infrastructure

In a shifting context for business, the financial

is always a particularly delicate and complex

“Together, we looked at several alternatives

operation. Banking relies entirely on IT, and

for the Tech-Refresh”, said Éric Mansuy. “We

industry continues to weather regulatory,

ensured that there was a balance between our

technological and generational changes. The

ambition, the benefits inherent to introducing

KBL epb group anticipated some of these thanks

new technologies and the desire to control the

to a new IT platform: G2 is used as a BPO service

risks linked to the project. We therefore adopted

from TBI Europe, a subsidiary of the Swiss

a prudent approach, combining a physical move

private banker Lombard Odier. This was a first for such a large Luxembourg operation.

A NEW COURSE In January 2016, Banque Puilaetco Dewaay Luxembourg was the group’s first subsidiary to migrate its activities to the new financial services platform. It was joined by KBL Richelieu European Private Bankers in Luxembourg in July 2017. Deployment of the new system will continue with the group’s other subsidiaries.

MOVE TO STARBOARD In parallel, the bank took a strategic decision

FULL STEAM AHEAD!

The KBL epb group cemented this ambition in

in the same year and subsequently by KBL

Éric Mansuy Group Head of IT & Operations I KBL epb

gain new impulse in its core business.”

THE DATA CENTRE, AT THE HEART OF THE SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

transmission of private assets, wealth managers

EBRC IS THE SPECIALIST IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SENSITIVE DATA, AS WELL AS A CERTIFIED TIER IV DATA CENTRE SERVICE PROVIDER. EBRC WAS CHOSEN TO WORK WITH THE BANK TO HELP PUT IN PLACE KBL EPB NEW DATA CENTRE INFRASTRUCTURE.

with the partial reengineering of the technological platform. The outcome has validated our approach. There are now richer technological opportunities, in particular with the emergence of cloud services.”

MOVING FORWARD Many challenges needed to be confronted during the KBL epb computer centre migration project. Part of this was a move away from the use of mainframe technology, as well as the legacy archival robot. Those additional challenges, when faced together, created conflicts of interest between individual strategic projects.

to obtain a state-of-the-art technological

Thanks to the full backing of the executive

platform. “We redesigned entirely how we

committee, it was decided to move ahead

organise our services-hub activity for our

with the twin aspects of this project.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

execution. Challenges were overcome using a

“The most remarkable thing about this project

FinTech at the Heart of Digital Europe

results-based approach, and I am certain that

was that we kept to the strategy developed

— By Jean-François Hugon, Head of Marketing, EBRC

the chemistry between the teams made this

during our discussions in 2014. We did not

possible”, said Éric Mansuy. The bank’s teams

deviate from the initial ambition by one iota.

are proud of having successfully completed

Our requirements were clearly understood,

such a large project; a once-in-a-lifetime career

that the BPO project could not in any way be

opportunity.

affected by the technological project”, said

EBRC, THE PARTNER OF YOUR IT TRANSFORMATION

Éric Mansuy.

The climate of trust built by the team through

at KBL epb. Their strength lay in the rigorously

their clearly professional attitude at all levels,

followed guidelines. Even following the six

was crucial to successful completion. “The

changes of location needed for the bank’s two

project benefitted from everyone’s high levels

Data Centres, commitment and energy levels

of motivation. This was strengthened through

remained high and never faltered.

consistent

communication

and

controlled

Thoroughness is a desirable fault in this type

The financial sector is preparing for digital

A POWERFUL FINANCIAL CENTRE

transformation against the back-drop of strong

Luxembourg

competition among FinTechs. They are working

advantages for FinTechs thanks to its globally

Making digital an asset for meeting new

to reinvent processes and developing new B2B

significant

business challenges and improving

and B2C uses. Data protection has also come to

The country is the world’s second biggest

offers

additional

cross-border financial

strategic sector.

of complex project. The teams benefitted

Since the project’s completion, KBL epb

agility. Strengthening IT security in

the fore (not least via GDPR), meaning IT risks

centre for investment funds, is a major wealth

from the necessary time upstream to cope

has much more than just new Data Centre

order to achieve the highest level of

could now have bigger impacts on businesses.

management player, is a specialist in cross-

with each unforeseen event. “Our partners

Jean-François Hugon Head of Marketing I EBRC

infrastructure. The group is now better

Cyber-Resilience with EBRC’s certified

Brexit is a further risk factor for the European

border insurance, and hosts many other niche

had real expertise and we never felt as though

prepared to confront opportunities provided

experts. Gaining easy access to the

financial sector in general and certain FinTechs

sectors. Entrepreneurs therefore have access

Thanks

we were left alone to face open questions.

by digital and to promote the private bank’s

range of integrated services offered

in particular.

to a comprehensive local ecosystem of experts

framework, any new idea has an excellent

Each point was raised and detailed with care”,

image across Europe.

by EBRC Trusted Services Europe. This

and infrastructure. This is a unique position for

chance of success. CEOs regularly mention

FinTech to enjoy, operating at the intersection

the ecosystem as being a key positive reason

of an experienced technology with the added

for deciding to move to Luxembourg. The

this

strict,

business-friendly

professional certification (PCI DSS) and

SEEKING STABILITY AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

international standards (ISO 27001 and

Faced with these diverse concerns, it is striking

know-how of a range of financial professionals.

result is a true land of opportunity that is well

ISO 20000).

how the countries which were already attractive

Financial businesses are regulated either

placed to attract numerous start-ups and

qualities of EBRC and its partner for this

due to their professional know-how (banking,

by the CSSF (Commission de Surveillance

European FinTech players over the long-term.

project Anidris. “If we had to do it again, we

finance, insurance...) decided to become

du Secteur Financier) or the CAA (Insurance

The current wave of innovation will contribute

would choose the same partners, without any

fully equipped, value adding ecosystems by

Commissariat) which both have reputations

to establishing the country as one of the

doubt”, said the group head of IT & Operations

hosting systems, applications and platforms.

for rigour allied with a willingness to support

most competitive and attractive places to do

Luxembourg has undeniably taken this route,

business growth and innovation. Luxembourg

business for digital start-ups.

understanding long ago the importance of

thrives partly thanks to a reputation for a

major investment. The result of this strategy is

high level of regulatory compliance, part of

that this small country has become a leading

which involves meeting rigorous international

player on the European stage.

standards related to client data confidentiality.

will bring regulatory compliance (PFS),

said Éric Mansuy.

STAYING THE COURSE

Author: EBRC

Consistency and rigour were two of the

In addition to the geographic location of the

Author: EBRC

country at the heart of Europe, the Grand

ONE OF THE QUALITIES OF EBRC AND ITS PARTNER ON THIS PROJECT ANIDRIS WAS THEIR CONSISTENCY AND RIGOUR. "IF WE HAD TO DO IT AGAIN, WE WOULD CHOOSE THE SAME PARTNERS, WITHOUT ANY DOUBT." SAID THE GROUP HEAD OF IT & OPERATIONS AT KBL EPB.

Duchy is at the crossroads of several highspeed digital highways. This extensive network

TIER IV FACILITY CERTIFICATION

infrastructure offers very low latency for connections between different countries, and

Since the year 2000, EBRC offers its

this is a further essential advantage in this

clients 100% availability in its certified

sector. These characteristics, in combination

Tier IV facility and design Data Centres.

with

Awarded by Uptime Institute, this

infrastructures, were the prerequisites for

certification

optimal

turning Luxembourg into the ideal hub for

level of security for IT infrastructure

European FinTechs. Alongside this, we must

and guarantees a 99.995% rate of

add the high level of collaboration between

availability, i.e. less than 26 combined

players in this sector. Working together helps

minutes of downtime per year.

to make large-scale projects easier to realise.

defines

the

highly

efficient

technological

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

USING BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

established, and permanently incorporated

significant portion of the tedious administrative

and entrepreneurs in the field of blockchain

into the blockchain technology, it becomes

auditing work, it could make fraud impossible,

technology.

unalterable and enables information to be

and would provide protection to the financial

traced easily. At that point, a guarantee that

institution, the investor and the state. These

transactions will comply with all requirements

would be inviolable, regulated, trusted

MANY POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

before being validated can be provided”, said

ecosystems,” said the CEO of InTech.

This is just one example of potential new

Fabrice Croiseaux.

FOR COMPLIANCE BY DESIGN

ATTRACTING BLOCKCHAIN PROJECTS TO LUXEMBOURG

applications for the technology. There are also many possibilities for guaranteeing

EBRC AND INTECH, MEMBERS OF THE BLOCKCHAIN

BUILDING TRUSTED ECOSYSTEMS USING SMART CONTRACTS

The stakes are high. “Compliance by design

non-financial contexts. “The challenge now

The Infrachain initiative brings together

models would make it much easier and

lies in enabling such ecosystems to emerge.

companies which support the develop-

The challenge lies in building regulated

more attractive to have compliant ICOs in

The Eddits.io platform, for instance, enables

ment of blockchain based solutions.

and trusted ecosystems using blockchain

Luxembourg. This would improve how the

holders of an address on the Ethereum

The initiative forms working groups

technology. Luxembourg has many new

financial centre is viewed by international

blockchain to link it to their existing digital

open to any interested stakeholder for

opportunities, in particular as regards hosting

stakeholders, thus helping the development

identity via LuxTrust. This enables new

the purpose of developing best prac-

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs): a method for

of business based on these new practices”,

applications and services using blockchain

tices across different sectors.

raising funds by tokenising an asset and

explained Fabrice Croiseaux, CEO of InTech.

technology to be offered, such as e-commerce

organising a pre-sale to finance the project.

He sees even more possibilities ahead. “To the

solutions, KYC or AML features, and more.

The Luxembourg government aims

The CSSF has clarified the rules applicable to

extent that such ecosystems would guarantee

These environments enable better checks to

to “set up a governance structure,

compliance with regulations in financial and

these new practices. Although stating that it

new budgetary revenues which would be paid

be carried out and offer improved trust and

implement a common technical basis

Most financial regulators are still cautious about applications using blockchain technology, such as ICOs

was prepared to review all projects submitted

automatically to the state while facilitating

security. Although the technology seemed

and make infrastructure compliant

(Initial Coin Offerings). Yet, full observance of compliance rules can be ensured through a specific eco-

to it in this field, it also pointed out the extent

lower cost regulatory checks, they could be

to be able to replace trusted third parties, we

with the legal framework in force in

system of smart contracts implementing compliance at source. By defining standards for ecosystems

to which such an endeavour could be likened

used as a means of offering more attractive

now find that it is necessary to re-integrate

order to foster trust for end users and

of “compliant by design” smart contracts, Luxembourg’s financial sector could take advantage of new

to the marketing of investment products.

taxation for these specific financial products”,

them into the value chain in another ways.

investors.”

opportunities offered by the technology, while also strengthening the financial centre’s reputation for

Thus an ICO could therefore be subject to

he said. Positioning Luxembourg as a

This helps ensure guaranteed compliance by

reliability and compliance.

financial regulation. It also warned potential

pioneer in the field of compliant ICOs would

design that is less costly to implement.”

investors of the inherent risks related to the

encourage the development of new business

lack of regulation. European regulators have

opportunities. This would come with reliable

adopted a rather cautious attitude to these

guarantees to European regulators, investors

Discussions about blockchain technology

Deep understanding of the components of

new practices, emphasising the risks over the

and crypto-currencies often focus on their

blockchain technology and the possibilities

opportunities. Perhaps advisedly.

wrongful use. These technologies’ detractors

it offers will enable us to provide efficient

and sometimes the authorities point negatively

solutions in line with regulations. More,

to the fact that these new ways of exchanging

the technology makes it possible to create

COMPLIANCE WOVEN INTO BLOCKCHAIN

assets and investments are not supervised

“compliant by design” environments which

Blockchain technology can provide more

by the usual regulatory mechanisms. “The

would create major first-mover advantages.”

robust guarantees with regard to inchain

regulators did not have much room for

transaction-regulation

compliance.

COMPLIANCE “AT SOURCE”

applications, particularly Bitcoin. Auditing

While the General Data Protection Regulation

the smart contract driving its implementation

mechanisms such as KYC, AML and the

(GDPR) has popularised the concept of “privacy

also contains systematic checks. These could

forwarding of tax information were simply

by design”, blockchain technology could take

be carried out prior to the acceptance of

non-existent,” noted Fabrice Croiseaux, CEO

us into an era of “compliance by design”. The

transactions for the trading of tokens", said

of InTech, a Digital Services company involved

technology could be used to systematically

Fabrice Croiseaux. "By validating such an

in several blockchain projects in Luxembourg

guarantee

the

ecosystem, the regulator could be assured that

and beyond. "This raises questions and

regulator’s standards. “Compliance is currently

KYC and AML measures were being carried out

requires warnings to be made to investors with

verified after the fact using reviews and audits.

by an accredited, trusted third party. As regards

no protection in place. It is crucial to provide

Blockchain technology incorporates these

the taxation of ICOs, a smart contract could

structural responses to these issues, and some

checks from the outset. A suitable ecosystem

trigger withholding tax to be deducted directly

financial centres have already begun this work.

of smart contracts can ensure that transactions

when capital gains are achieved.” Almost

For example, the Paris financial centre has set

are compliant with requirements currently

anything of this nature can be coded into a

an ambition of becoming a centre for ICOs.

in force. Once the ecosystem has been

smart contract. “This would help to alleviate a

transactions

meet

Author: Sébastien Lambotte, ITnation Magazine - Summer 2018

“For

manoeuvre with regard to many of these

that

(source: IT Nation.lu, November 2016).

instance, the regulator could accept an ICO if

Fabrice Croiseaux CEO I InTech

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

i-HUB, MUTUALISED KYC CONTINUOUS MANAGEMENT PLATFORM i-Hub uses a continuous management platform to offer end-to-end maintenance of KYC (Know Your Customer) records. A unique solution developed within the ecosystem of the POST Luxembourg group, and run by EBRC.

level. In this, they rely on their own internal

FOR THE FINANCIAL SECTOR AND OTHER REGULATED BODIES

risk management policies before dealing with

i-Hub improves the collection processes

managed KYC record maintenance service,

any new customer, and during the on-going

of customer identification documentation,

coupled with the advantages of mutualisation.

relationship. “The challenge for the financial

offering significant operational effectiveness.

Together this distinguishes i-Hub from other

service industry is to be able to use the data,

This is a welcome progress compared to

KYC solutions. “Thanks to the constant

be it already available or to be acquired. The

the often tedious, paper-based customer

monitoring of updates to data and documents

goal is to meet the requirements of the most

registration processes. “We are able to offer

in a controlled and standardised environment,

stringent regulators and improve the services

a single, digital and secure KYC record to

i-Hub

offered to their customers,” explained Pascal

institutions such as banks, insurers, management

professionals)

Morosini, CEO of i-Hub. And for good reason:

companies, securities depositories, and others.

remediation plans.”

the costs of acquiring and updating data,

This reduces considerably duplicated efforts

carrying out compliance checks and drawing

for those institutions and their customers,” said

up regulatory reports continue to increase.

Pascal Morosini. "Moreover, end customers can

GUARANTEES BY STRONG PARTNERS

control where and when their data is shared.

i-Hub also guarantees the best hosting and security

They do this via the platform and an app, in

conditions in Luxembourg through EBRC. EBRC

categorise customers according to their risk

i-HUB OR THE PRINCIPLE OF MUTUALISATION

benefits of outsourcing a continuously-

helps

its

customers

manage

(regulated

costly

recurring

accordance with GDPR criteria. In other words,

has the status of a PFS support (Professional of

This context is the i-Hub working environment.

customers are able to check personally which

the Financial Sector) meaning its activities are

It is a subsidiary of POST Luxembourg, and

identification data institutions have about them,

supervised by the financial regulator, the CSSF.

was created in 2016. The principle is simple:

and can update that personal data directly,

“Due to the nature of the business, we are required

the highly-secured platform makes it possible

upload documents, and more.”

to provide the highest guarantees in terms of

As a “KYC Utility”, i-Hub was launched in

documents

security", said Pascal Morosini. “Although the

December 2018 in collaboration with a major

and data management for customers from

service is mutualised, it is not in the public

Luxembourg bank. Other stakeholders such

regulated

the

cloud. We chose the ‘on premise’ method in

as fund managers and transfer agents soon

collection, verification, validation, continuous

Luxembourg, in EBRC’s certified Tier IV Data

expressed an interest. The platform, the only

management and storage in digital format

Centres. Access to the platform is also protected

one of its kind, enables the outsourcing of

of identification data. The platform is easily

continuous updates and the mutualisation of

accessible for regulated institutions and end

KYC records. It has attracted much interest

customers.

centralise

and

bodies.

mutualise Services

include

due to the increasing cost of regulatory

Pascal Morosini CEO I i-Hub

Pascal Morosini emphasises the advantages

compliance and the growing penalties for

“i-Hub eliminates the need for those

the lack of vigilance. Data will always be at

institutions and their customers to provide

the heart of financial activities, and more

several copies of the same documents to

specifically of regulated activities. The data

different counterparties,” said Pascal Morosini.

related to individual or corporate clients is

The platform significantly reduces risk and

undeniably of key strategic value, and ensuring

inefficiency thanks to a robust and resilient

it is reliable and up-to-date is a major security

control environment in which data and

challenge. Beyond the obvious business

documents are categorised according to the

aspects, complying with various regulations

required level of vigilance. In practice, it saves

has cost steadily more since the 2008 financial

both time and money, while also improving

crisis. Laws against money laundering, terrorist

the accuracy of the data and documents. This

financing, corruption and fraud require a high

enables professionals to focus on controls,

level of vigilance. In particular, regulated

analysis and their core business by outsourcing

bodies have to be able to identify, verify and

to a specialist.”

i-HUB IS A UNIQUE PROJECT, DRIVEN BY POST LUXEMBOURG, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE SKILLS OF ITS VARIOUS SUBSIDIARIES, INTECH, VICTOR BUCK SERVICES, EDITUS, POST TELECOM AND, OF COURSE, EBRC.

thanks to an authentication method involving LuxTrust. And although blockchain technology was initially considered, it was dismissed due to the importance of the ‘document repository’ function. Along with our partners, InTech and EBRC, we selected the most appropriate technology which enables optimal support for the business, guided by the experience of our compliance officers. We are pleased with this choice.” In this sense, i-Hub is a unique project addressing the increasingly pressing issue of managing KYC. It is a product from POST Luxembourg, taking advantage of the skills of its various subsidiaries, InTech, Victor Buck Services, Editus, POST Telecom and, of course, EBRC. Author: Alain de Fooz, Soluxions Magazine and EBRC

Solution Powered by EBRC

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

DIGITAL

A NEW DEFENCE AGAINST RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR The “We Are Not Weapons of War” project is an aspect of the “Tech for Good” programme driven by the ShareIT platform from Station F in Paris. InTech and EBRC are proud to support this initiative which uses digital to combat the proliferation of sexual violence during armed conflicts. A secure digital platform will be implemented to facilitate the gathering of evidence of these heinous crimes to help victims and assist legal processes.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

A PLATFORM FOR REPORTING PROBLEMS

the transfer of documents and photographs,” explained Fabrice Croiseaux, CEO of InTech. "It is important that these documents cannot

The We Are Not Weapons of War (WWoW)

In the context of ShareIT, after working with

be intercepted. The solution uses a range

NGO was founded in 2004 by Céline

InTech and EBRC, WWoW designed a new

of technologies (including blockchain) to

Bardet, a legal expert and an international

application. “The goal is to provide a robust

guarantee the integrity of the reports and

investigator specialised

in war crimes.

reporting tool to victims or eyewitnesses,”

documents being transferred,” he added.

She works extensively in conflict zones, often

said Céline Bardet. “The individuals involved

where basic infrastructure is lacking, let

can then chose whether to make a report or

alone sophisticated digital ICT networks. “I

not, but in any case, the information is neither

ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFORMATION

meet victims with the key goal of collecting

stored nor visible on the victim’s device. When

The platform is hosted in EBRC’s Data Centres

information that may help prosecute the

a report is filed, we receive an alert in Paris,

in Luxembourg, a good option given its spe-

perpetrators of violence and crimes against

and we can then implement procedures to

cialisation in the management of sensitive in-

local people”, she explained. In recent

help. This might range from contacting local

formation. Its expertise ensures the protection

years she has focused on sexual violence

medical services to building an international

of the transferred data and the integrity of the

perpetrated as part of conflict. “There are

legal case. The goal is a global solution with

received documents, guaranteeing their ad-

numerous problems to overcome. First of

local impact,” she added.

missibility for court proceedings which may

all, armed groups keep a watch on victims

take place several years after the events. “Our

of movement, even to the point of being

A SIGNIFICANT SECURITY CHALLENGE

unable to visit a doctor. Following these

WWoW relied on the expertise of InTech

by developing expertise in the management

acts of physical and psychological violence,

and EBRC to create this platform. The two

and protection of sensitive data, thus ensu-

there is also a risk of being stigmatised and

Luxembourg-based

developed

ring the security and availability of the ser-

shamed within the community, and this

the solution to meet WWoW’s specific

vice,” said Yves Reding, CEO of EBRC. “This

prevents victims from speaking out”, she said.

needs. “Security is a significant challenge.

project handles extremely critical data on

WWoW provides information about rape as

Eyewitnesses and victims must be able to

which lives depend. By offering the potential

a weapon of war, guides local institutions

make reports in a confidential manner, so the

for victims to achieve justice, we are reacting

throughout the judicial process, and supports

interface was designed to be both easy to use

to one of our core values: helping partners be

victims by working through their trauma and

and to ensure no trace of the information is left

resilient in the face of attack. At the heart of

rehabilitation.

on the device used. As well as being used to

this is safeguarding key information.”

who as a result often enjoy little freedom

TECHNOLOGY TO HELP VICTIMS

companies

report sexual violence, it enables supporting information to be communicated, including

mission has always been to generate confi-

BY OFFERING THE POTENTIAL FOR VICTIMS TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE, WE ARE REACTING TO ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES: HELPING PARTNERS BE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF ATTACK. AT THE HEART OF THIS IS SAFEGUARDING KEY INFORMATION.

dence in digital services. In particular this is

Author: Sébastien Lambotte, ITnation Magazine - Spring 2018

“The often severe physical, social and psychological restrictions on victims make it difficult to report these despicable acts and, ultimately this hinders the prosecution of those responsible," said Céline Bardet. The

service of this humanitarian cause. “Contrary

EBRC, PARTNER OF SHAREIT AND THE "WE ARE NOT WEAPONS OF WAR" PROJECT, WAS A CO-RECEPIENT OF THE “ETHICAL” PRIZE PRESENTED AT THE 2018 “TROPHÉES DE LA TRANSFORMATION NUMÉRIQUE” AWARDS IN PARIS

to the preconceptions of some, many people

Through ShareIT and the project developed for WWoW, InTech and

in these conflict situations have access to

EBRC demonstrated that digital can be used to innovate and respond

high-speed mobile networks and can use

to a variety of human challenges. “This project provides evidence

tablets and smartphones. I believe better use

that the ecosystem of digital stakeholders gathered around ShareIT,

could be made of the technology to collect

including the two Luxembourg-based players, can use technology to

and secure witness statements related to

add value to efforts that support a crucial global cause,” concluded

alleged crimes, to the ultimate benefit of

Yves Reding.

legal expert and social entrepreneur wants Solution Powered by EBRC

to remedy this by using digital technologies. WWoW has joined the ShareIT incubator in Paris, with the goal of using digital in the

victims”, she explained.

MEET THE TRUST CHALLENGE | EBRC THE MAG | 2018-2019 EDITION

MEDICAL BIOLOGY A “HIGH VOLTAGE” SECTOR Solution Powered by EBRC

Improving the quality of care provided to patients, optimising the services put at the disposal of medical staff, coping with growing pressure on budgets, are all areas in which the medical biology analysis sector is making a positive difference. Here we focus on myLAB®, a digital health ecosystem developed by the BioneXtLAB. It is a medical analysis laboratory and an open-ended communication interface between health professionals and patients.

For Dr Jean-Luc Dourson, Founder and General Manager of BioneXt LAB, medical

provide reliable, highly available service to our

tests. An application specially designed for

doctors and patients.” Doctors can henceforth

children carried out blood tests in two minutes

generate an electronic prescription based on

without the child noticing anything.

the nomenclature rules in force. The cost for the patient is automatically calculated, and

A SECTOR WITH A FUTURE

payment agreements for patients and any

“Whether in terms of abruptly changing

other consent forms are likewise generated

economic constraints, or the galloping pace

automatically. The relevance of the myLAB®

of technological progress, the medical analysis

BioneXt LAB is a Luxembourgish medi-

solution is already reflected in its integration

sector faces many challenges. Medical biology

cal biology analysis laboratory. Since

into medical practices’ software environments.

is a sector with a strong future given its growing

2nd June 2017, BioneXt LAB has been

importance in medical diagnosis and as new

equipped with a new technical analysis

technologies are integrated. At BioneXt LAB,

platform that can cover every medical

we have decided to consider this particularly

biology needs and comply with the latest changes in quality standards.

future. “Medical analysis is a key element of

NEW TESTING SERVICES WITH PICKEN DOHEEM

the healthcare process, with medical biology

BioneXt LAB uses a collaborative approach to

challenging environment as an opportunity to

and laboratory analysis contributing to

deploy an analysis tool and related services

make a difference. This is thanks to the relevance

disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring

which are part of its on-going improvement

of the solutions and services we provide to

BioneXt LAB uses this platform to carry

in nearly 70% of cases.”

process regarding its service to patients.

doctors and patients. Our digital transformation

out laboratory tests for in-patients at

is in line with the 4P medical model: preventive,

Emile Mayrisch Medical Centre and

Private medical biology is nonetheless a

This is how “Picken Doheem” emerged: the

participatory, predictive and personalised. The

across the Picken Doheem network.

highly competitive sector, with particularly

first and only free of charge home mobile

added value of the tool is how it allows for an

strong price pressure. New regulations

blood test service in Luxembourg.

expanding patient base, but mainly regarding

BioneXt LAB is characterised by a coo-

biology is a sector with a highly promising

the improvement of care provided to patients.

perative approach geared to deploying

of prescriptions being issued. “Even if the

“After the modernisation process, we decided

We are all concerned as potential patients

analysis tools and related services. The

nomenclature of analysis laboratories had to

to bring all testing services linked to BioneXt

ourselves”, concluded Dr Jean-Luc Dourson.

ultimate aim is to improve the care pro-

be revised (because it had become outdated

LAB under the "Picken Doheem" banner. With

in structural and medico-technical terms), it is

"Picken Doheem", you can be tested wherever

still so complex that it is nearly impossible for

is most convenient: at home, at work, or in

a doctor to know whether the tests he or she

one of our 40 test centres,” said Dr Dourson.

have led to a significant drop in the number

prescribes will be reimbursed by the health Apart from the fact that medical analysis

VIRTUAL REALITY FOR THOSE WITH NEEDLE PHOBIA

laboratories have no alternative but to invoice

Research shows that around 5% - 10% of us

the patient for the share of the treatment not

suffer from varying degrees of trypanophobia:

reimbursed by the CNS (Luxembourgish health

the fear of needles. For these people, a blood

fund) under the third-party payment system,

test is often a real ordeal. To help, Picken

the new prescription rules are also detrimental

Doheem equipped its blood test centres

to the doctor’s freedom of therapeutic choice.

(Luxembourg Belair, Heisdorf and Schifflange)

insurance scheme,” Dr Dourson continued.

ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION AS A RESPONSE TO INCREASINGLY COMPLEX NOMENCLATURE

with virtual reality helmets. BioneXt LAB partnered with Oncomfort, a clinical purposes. Together they developed

prescriptions

myLAB®,

its

open

ended communication interface that links

multilingual

application,

THE LUXEMBOURGISH LABORATORY BIONEXT LAB RELIES ON THREE STRATEGIC APPROACHES TO BOOST GROWTH: DIGITISATION, SERVICE HARMONISATION AND VIRTUAL REALITY.

DIGITISATION AND HARMONISATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY SERVICES

including

Luxembourgish and Portuguese options.

“Our laboratory deals with highly sensitive health data. With EBRC, we have a reliable partner who understands the specific challenges of our business,” says Dr Jean-Luc Dourson,

laboratories, doctors, health professionals and

Dr Jean-Luc Dourson Founder and General Manager I BioneXt LAB

Author: EBRC

start-up specialised in virtual reality tools for

BioneXt LAB has just integrated electronic into

vided to patients by the clinician.

patients. The Founder and General Manager of

This anxiety and pain management solution

BioneXt LAB commented: “EBRC’s solution

combines approved treatment approaches and

ensures that the IT infrastructure of our

virtual reality, and resulted in an 82% reduction

laboratory works efficiently, meaning we can

in emotional stress experienced during blood

Founder and General Manager of BioneXt LAB.

5, rue EugĂ¨ne Ruppert L-2453 Luxembourg www.ebrc.com/contact