YPTO: Recruiting Specialist IT Security Talent

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YPTO: Recruiting Specialist IT Security Talent

Case study

Client Background

YPTO, a Brussels-based IT services and consulting firm, is a key partner of SNCB, Belgium’s national railway company, providing IT expertise to enhance railway operations for 250 million passengers annually. With a focus on digital transformation, YPTO supports SNCB’s 17,500 employees through innovative solutions like SAP, systems integration, and security systems for control rooms across Belgium.

The Challenge

In 2024, YPTO accelerated its digital initiatives to modernize railway IT infrastructure,
emphasizing cybersecurity to protect critical systems and passenger data. Key challenges
included:

Skills Gap: Shortage of specialized cybersecurity professionals for complex railway
IT environments.
Diverse Expertise Needs: Requirement for profiles like Security Architects, IAM
GRC specialists, CSIRT analysts, and Project Managers to support ongoing projects.
Scalability and Continuity: Need for flexible, long-term talent to align with Ypto’s
growth, having recruited 91 new colleagues in 2024.

The Solution

Our firm supplied six freelance cybersecurity professionals, including Security Architects, IAM GRC specialists, CSIRT analysts, and Project Managers, to meet Ypto’s needs. Key features:

Tailored Expertise: Professionals with certifications like CISM, CRISC, and PMP,
skilled in railway IT security and IAM frameworks.
Year-Long Contracts: 12-month engagements to ensure continuity across Ypto’s
digital transformation projects.
Integrated Collaboration: Freelancers worked closely with YPTO’s team to align with
SNCB’s operational and security goals.

Implementation

Starting in Q3 2024, the freelancers were onboarded within two weeks and contributed to:

Designing secure architectures for railway control room systems, enhancing threat
detection.
Implementing IAM GRC frameworks to strengthen access controls and compliance.
Supporting CSIRT operations to respond to incidents and improve resilience.
Managing project timelines to integrate security into YPTO’s SAP and systems
integration initiatives.

Compliance and Resilience

Strengthened IT controls, aligning with EU railway security standards. YPTO solidified its role as a digital leader for SNCB, ensuring secure and efficient railway operations.