Appointment reinforces Esko’s commitment to security of internal operations, products and services

Ghent, Belgium – Esko, the leading global supplier of integrated solutions for the packaging, labels, sign and display industries, has appointed Marc Vael as Director IT Security.

Esko solutions, both on-site and cloud-based, have become an integral part of the operations of brands, labels and packaging converters, sign and display graphics producers and others in the graphic arts industry. From WebCenter, it’s cloud-based collaboration tool, to Automation Engine for process automation in the production environment, as well as a broad range of hardware and software solutions in between, Esko customers depend on the company’s expertise to ensure their own operations are protected from invasion by unauthorized third parties

“There are many business benefits to using cloud-based / SaaS solutions, but they require the right protection to ensure users can trust the (data) security of this important suite of tools,” says Vincent van den Broek, Vice President of Information Technology at Esko. “We selected Marc for this important role based on his vast experience in and knowledge of the security domain and to ensure Esko solutions embody the utmost security and are able to ward off security threats in an ever-changing environment.”

Effective Cloud Solutions

In his new role, which commences October 1, Vael will oversee the security of Esko’s internal IT operations as well as the security inherent in the products it delivers to customers around the globe.

Vael says, “Esko has always placed a premium on security. But in today’s highly inter-connected and tumultuous IT environment, even more can be done to enhance the security of our internal operations and the products and services we deliver to our global customers, especially as it relates to the cloud-based applications which are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in the print, packaging, sign and display industries. I am also looking forward to collaborating with Danaher on corporate wide security challenges.”

With this appointment, Esko reinforces its commitment to the highest possible levels of security, both internally and in its offerings to the marketplace. “Security is an extremely important strategic enabler for us and critical for our customers,” says Udo Panenka, Esko’s President. “We are pleased to have Marc on board as our Director IT Security. His stellar background and deep domain expertise will ensure exceptional focus on this critical aspect of our business.”

Vael achieved a master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp, a master’s in Information Management from the University of Hasselt, and a master-doctorate degree in applied economics and ICT from the Catholic University of Leuven. He later received certificates in systems auditing, risk and information systems control. He is a guest professor on several security topics at the Antwerp Management School, the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management and TIAS. In 2012, he became a member of the Permanent Stakeholder Group of ENISA and was elected international vice-president of the board of ISACA. In the same year, he was also elected Fellow van het Hogeheuvelcollege from the University of Leuven.