Kelvin Rorive’s Bold Vision: Why Trust, Not Tech, Is the Future of Cybersecurity
On 10 and 11 September 2025, Jaarbeurs Utrecht transforms into the beating heart of digital security during Cybersec Netherlands. Among the many influential voices taking the stage, one keynote promises to reframe how we approach cybersecurity at its core. Kelvin Rorive, Chief Information Security Officer at ICT Group and co-founder of the Cyber Chain Resilience Consortium (CCRC), brings more than 25 years of experience to a compelling message: cyber resilience begins not with technology, but with trust.
In his keynote “Building Cyber Resilience: Collaborating with Soulmates Across Chains to the Boardroom”, Rorive explores the transformative power of collaboration—beyond contracts, across sectors, and between individuals who share more than just job titles. With cyber threats increasing in complexity and reach, his session is a must-attend for leaders seeking to future-proof their organizations in a connected world.
From Tools to Trust: A Human-Centric Cyber Philosophy
Kelvin Rorive has seen the cybersecurity field evolve dramatically—from early days of network hardening to the modern battleground of complex supply chain attacks. His résumé reads like a blueprint for digital defense: security architect, IT auditor, global SOC lead, and now CISO at ICT Group. But despite the sophistication of today’s tech stacks, Rorive warns that most breaches don’t stem from technical gaps—they’re the result of human breakdowns in communication, collaboration, and culture.
“I’ve learned that successful cyberattacks often exploit the void between people, not systems,” he shares. “We have plenty of tools. What we lack are trusted relationships across sectors and clear coordination in moments of crisis.”
His keynote builds on this belief, advocating for what he calls “soulmate collaboration”—strong, personal trust bonds between CISOs and other security professionals that transcend organizational boundaries. It’s these relationships, he says, that empower real-time information sharing, meaningful threat insights, and unified crisis response.
The Courage to Be Transparent
One of the boldest assertions in Rorive’s keynote is that transparency isn’t a liability—it’s a strategic advantage. Many organizations shy away from openly discussing incidents or threat intelligence for fear of reputational harm or legal repercussions. But Rorive sees this as shortsighted.
“Cyber threats don’t care about your sector, size, or compliance frameworks,” he argues. “If we keep working in isolation, the whole ecosystem suffers.”
Instead, he champions initiatives like ISACs, the Dutch Digital Trust Center (DTC), and the broader CISO community as key enablers of what he calls “chain responsibility”. By promoting secure, structured information sharing across organizations, these partnerships increase collective defense without increasing individual vulnerability.
His keynote will delve into real-world examples of such collaborations—highlighting how informal peer connections can scale into formal alliances, all while enhancing resilience without breaching internal risk thresholds. As he puts it: “Collaboration starts with trust between experts, not legal departments.”
Cybersec as a Breeding Ground for Real Resilience
Cybersecurity isn’t just evolving—it’s accelerating. With emerging tech like AI, OT/IT convergence, and hyperconnectivity reshaping digital infrastructure, Rorive predicts a shift where security becomes a boardroom conversation. The role of CISOs, he says, will continue to mature from technical troubleshooters to strategic advisors.
Events like Cybersec Netherlands play a pivotal role in this transformation.
“Conferences like these allow us to get out of our own echo chambers,” Rorive explains. “We challenge assumptions, build relationships, and share practical lessons. This is where real resilience begins.”
For those attending, his keynote will leave a clear call to action: move past silos, build soulmate-level trust across the chain, and embrace transparency as a path to strength—not weakness.
Don’t miss Kelvin Rorive’s keynote at Cybersec Netherlands 2025 on 10-11 September in Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Whether you’re a seasoned CISO, policy leader, or rising cybersecurity talent, his vision of chain-wide collaboration offers a powerful lens on what the future of cyber resilience demands—and how we can build it together.
Register for free for Cybersec Netherlands 2025
As cyber attacks continue to threaten today’s tech landscape, this event is the premier platform for seasoned cyber security professionals and innovative start-ups to exchange knowledge and tackle cybersecurity challenges together. Organizations across all sectors will discover strategies to boost cyber resilience and safeguard critical assets. Don’t miss this chance to strengthen your cyber defenses—register for free now!
