Waterworks, airports, the energy grid or telephone traffic: all interesting targets in the Netherlands for cyber or hybrid attacks from countries like Russia and China, say intelligence experts. A highly digitalized world asks for a movement from DevOps to DevSecOps, this means us as developers should specialize in security now too!
More than ever, a hack on your software can have serious impact on the daily lives of people: from leaking their personal information to shutting down the energy supply to Dutch homes.
Think the leak of private data of police in 2024, and the one of the Bevolkingsonderzoek Nederland in 2025. In other words your software might not be responsible for trains to be able to ride, or payments being done through banks, but most companies do process at least some personal data.
Just like accessibility, security often is an afterthought, and that will just not do anymore. Security needs to be considered from day one in every software project.
Tonight we will give the stage to three developers to talk about their security approach.
Program
17.45 walk in / dinner (vegetarian)
18.30 Intro Girl Code by Ineke Scheffers
18.35 Intro CGI by Janine Tjassens, CGI BU Leader Randstad and North Netherlands
18.40 Secure Software Development - Erica Welling, Software Security Specialist at CGI
Erica will discuss several core principles that help make IT structurally more secure. With these insights into our daily work, we can build systems that are not only fast and beautiful, but also resilient and future-proof.
19.00 Supply Chain Attacks: Here to Stay - Jasmijn van Genesen, Application Security Engineer at KVK
Supply chain attacks like Shai Hulud show how hackers exploit package managers and CI/CD pipelines to steal secrets. In her talk Jasmijn will plead for protecting the whole chain—not just writing secure code—by making mitigation of risks a standard in DevSecOps.
19.20 Business Logic Flaws: How to Prevent Them in Your APIs - Alexandra Charikova, The Elephant in AppSec podcast host & community manager at Escape
Attackers exploit valid features in unintended ways to bypass rules, abuse workflows, or manipulate sensitive operations. In this talk, Alexandra explores real-world API examples, how attackers chain valid actions for harmful outcomes, and how defenders can catch issues early through ie. threat modeling and security integration in CI/CD.
19.40 Q&A with all speakers
20.00 - 21.00 drinks, snacks, mingle
"At CGI, we value and actively work together to foster an environment where every voice is heard and respected and where every member has equal opportunity to share their ideas, lead and grow. Estimates are that less than 30% of technology jobs are held by women. And according to the numbers above that seems a little too generous even. To increase this it is important to inspire and empower women, which is why initiatives such as Girl Code are so important. A little while ago we hosted Girl Code at CGI, in short, it was a great success! Looking at the current (political) climate the topic of diversity is more important than ever. With that in mind we couldn't be more excited to host another Girl Code event!"
- Sara Larsson, Software Architect & Engineer at CGI
Team
Ineke Scheffers - organizer and founder Girl Code
Sara Larsson - host CGI
Jeroen de Bekker - host CGI
Frédérique Doek - host CGI
Kimberly Bisschops - host CGI
Attendance policy
We take attendance. If you RSVP'd but didn't show up, it will have consequences. Also be sure to cancel on time, 'cause cancelling 1 day before will be too late and count as a no-show. (Illness is of course an exception to this rule).
Public transport
It's a 5 min walk from station Rotterdam Alexander. At the station take the exit which ISN’T connected to the metro. Find the entrance by following the George Hintzenweg. Call reception at the visitors door, take the stairs up, it's the 1st building on the left.
Car
The employee garage is open for us between 17.30 and 18.30. Before or after: use the intercom. The parking garage can be reached along George Hintzenweg. Take the stairs in the middle, then you will find the CGI office on the left (road as orientation).
Accessibility
If you need disability parking or use a wheelchair contact us at s.larsson@cgi.com, so we can make the right arrangements.
