Ann Mennens

Ann Mennens is a seasoned cybersecurity and communication professional specialising in cybersecurity awareness and training, with a focus on the human factor. Currently, she manages the European Commission’s CyberAware Programme within the Cybersecurity Directorate of DIGIT, raising the cyber awareness of the whole Commission staff, highlighting their role in contributing to the safeguarding of the Commission assets and systems, while promoting a safe online experience. She is in charge of training and communication on cybersecurity and oversees the network of Local Informatics Security Officers (LISOs). 
Ann is the Chair of the interinstitutional Technical Advisory Group for the Interinstitutional Cybersecurity Board on the Human Factor in Cybersecurity, guiding collaborative efforts to enhance cybersecurity awarenessraising, training and skills development, enhancing the cybersecurity culture in and among Union entities. 
Ann was involved in the creation of the Women4Cyber Foundation and is a board member of the Women4Cyber Belgium chapter. She is a long-standing member of the Belgian Cyber Security Coalition, and a member of ENISA’s Ad-Hoc Working Group on Awareness Raising. She is a strong supporter of reskilling in cybersecurity, from any type of background, bringing diversity and increasing gender balance in the cybersecurity sector. 
She was Manager of the Belgian Cybercrime Centre of Excellence for Training, Research, and Education (B-CCENTRE) at the KU Leuven (2011-2016), coordinating activities of several academic research groups, public sector bodies and businesses. Before 2011 she was managing several European projects in areas like health, food safety, drugs, justice, transport, law enforcement, crisis management, migration, accession to the EU. Ann holds a Master in European Studies and a Master in History from KU Leuven