Digital Strategy & Execution

Government and Public Sector

Separating application function from data storage

Construction principles (10)

Construction principles for the IT architect: (10) Separating application function from data storage

In this series of blogs, I dwell on the still valid information science construction principles that guarantee better ‘information building’. This 10th blog in the series continues with the first informatics principle (for the distinction, see my <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/construction-principles-for-the-information-professional" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starting blog</a>). This one is about the construction of data processing. 
We don't dwell on it but every screen we process information on hides an underlying construct that extracts data from a storage and allows us to access or modify this data or add new data. If the processing function and the data storage are separated, this has great advantages. In fact, this is the information science principle of decoupling but applied in computing.

Rutger Gooszen

Netherlands

Digital

The risks of IT visions

As Highberg, we create many different visions for our clients. These can be visions on topics such as: cloud, the digital workplace, data sharing, data-driven working, 5G, wireless connectivity, etc. Name any information technology (IT) related topic and you can create a vision for it. But what is the use of a vision if we don't act on it in practice? Or what use is a nicely formulated vision if it subsequently gets shelved. In this insight I elaborate on the different pitfalls in the creation and implementation of visions that I encounter with my clients.

Daan van Horssen

Construction principles for the information professional: (8)

Construction principles

Construction principles for the information professional: (8) Separating data and metadata in storage and processing

Data is hot. Everyone wants to work data-driven and AI only works on big data. In short, data is the new gold! But what exactly is data? In the previous blog, I mentioned that there are different categories of data and that one was specifically about dealing with master data and transactional data. In this blog, I dwell on metadata and the need to distinguish that from the data itself and process it separately. Otherwise, a spaghetti is created in the system landscape and searching for specific data becomes the proverbial needle in the haystack.

Construction principles for the information scientist: (7)

Construction principles for the information scientist: (7) Single registration of master data

In this series of blogs, I reflect on the still-valid information engineering construction principles that guarantee better “information constructs.” They are sometimes, in the pace of advancing technology, a bit forgotten. Resulting in sometimes shaky or poorly maintainable and extensible “information constructs.” This time on the need for single-entry capture of master data and the challenges this presents with respect to usage. Is copying a problem?

Construction principles for the information scientist: (6)

Construction principles for the information scientist: (6) Disconnect “who you are” from “what you are allowed”

In this series of blogs, I reflect on the still-valid information engineering construction principles that guarantee better “information constructs.” They are sometimes, in the pace of advancing technology, a bit forgotten. Resulting in sometimes shaky or poorly maintainable and extensible “information constructs.” This time about the need to decouple identification/authentication (who you are) and authorization (what you are allowed to do). How many login combinations do you have in use? Probably more than 30. Still every day we struggle with login names and passwords for all those service providers we visit online. In theory, the solution is simple but in practice it is still laborious.

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Financial Services

The Psychology of Change in Digital Transformation

The Psychology of Change

At Highberg Digital, we help our clients with their digital transformation journeys. Digital transformation can be seen as a journey that has an impact on the core of organizations and individuals. Each journey has its challenges and for digital transformation, it is the response of people to change. Some embrace the changes while others feel more comfortable with the well-known.

Kyra Koper

Digital Strategy & Architecture

Construction principles for the information professional

construction principles

Construction principles for the information professional (9): Apply standard patterns without deviations

In this series of blogs, I reflect on the still valid information science construction principles that guarantee better “information constructs.” This last blog in the series on information science principles is actually also a bridge to the continuation of this series with some computer science principles (for the distinction, see <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/construction-principles-for-the-information-professional" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">my starting blog</a>). Indeed, standard patterns exist in both information science and computer science.
The elegant thing about a standard pattern is ... that it is a standard. But in practice, there appears to be a reason to deviate a bit each time. The result is a user who no longer understands the user interface or a no longer interoperable concept, lower maintainability of a system and loss of time.

Drones in the Physical Environment

The Revolution of Data Acquisition

The Revolution of Data Acquisition: Drones in the Physical Environment

In a world where technological progress marks nearly every aspect of our daily lives, it's no surprise that the physical environment is exceptionally suited for innovative applications. We're witnessing the rise of smart sensors that monitor environmental quality, smart mobility solutions making city traffic more efficient, and the use of smart dust — minuscule sensors that collect detailed data about their surroundings. Moreover, the development of digital twins, where virtual replicas of physical environments are created for precise analysis and simulation, paves the way for the application of drones in the physical environment.

Irfan Ilahi

A Highberg Case study: Productization in Shell’s Cloud

Case study: Productization in Shell’s Cloud

A Highberg Case Study

Following Shell’s Enterprise Cloud Platform transformation journey from project to product.

Koen Harbers

Simon Atteveld

Organizational

Effective strategy execution with enterprise architecture

Effective strategy execution

Translating the business strategy into reality is a complex task. The majority of organizations fail to successfully implement their business strategy. What is the cause of this and can enterprise architecture provide a helping hand? Discover five scenarios where you can use enterprise architecture to increase the likelihood of successful strategy execution.

Arie van Nistelrooij

Security policies and frameworks for data pipelines in the public sector

Security policies and frameworks

Data pipelines are essential components of modern governmental operations. They facilitate the flow of information between (governmental) organizations, departments, and systems, ensuring efficient functioning of the government. With increasing digitization and data usage, vulnerabilities in the data pipeline have become a critical focus. In this blog, we explore the challenges, risks, and strategies for keeping government data pipelines secure.

Jousuf Mohamed

Highberg's strategy against rising cybersecurity threats in industrial automation

ICS Security: setting new standards

Cybersecurity threats industrial automation (ICS/SCADA)

The world of Industrial Automation (IA) is increasingly facing cybersecurity threats. Not only foreign nuclear power plants have already been hacked, but also the first objects of our vital infrastructure. VKA has therefore developed a multidisciplinary approach to take IA to the desired higher level.

Huub Koninkx

Focus decision-making outside the boundaries of the program organization

Innovation in chains

Innovation in chains: focus decision-making outside the boundaries of the program organization

This past year I had the pleasure of being program manager for an ambitious "bottom up" initiative for exchange and reuse of soil data (chain computerization) of government and network operators. Many parties were involved such as municipalities and provinces but also dozens of (semi)private companies. At the time of writing this post, the program has temporarily stopped: the principals are looking for a way to regain funding and participation. In this blog, I briefly reflect on events and how additional measures can help this program - and other similar programs.

Ruud Boot

IT department, are you still there?

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The world is changing rapidly, and with the advent of technological advancements, many organizations are being driven by digitization.
Within information provision (IT), also known as the IT department, it's no different. Think of the arrival of technologies like GenAI and Data Management. The business departments of an organization want to anticipate these changes.
To facilitate this, IT departments are facing increasingly greater challenges. They are often very busy ensuring the basics of their services are in order, passing audits, and meeting the year's forecasts. Due to this focus, there is often insufficient time to truly respond to all developments.
It's time to pull the handbrake, look around, and collaborate closely with the business.
Because I see more and more in practice that the business is following its own IV path. A path without the IT department. In this blog I describe in broad terms what you can do to make an active contribution to this as an IT department.

Jessica Drake Wetsteijn

An integrated architectural approach for robust ICS/SCADA security

Working in architecture

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Last year showed how vulnerable our infrastructure sometimes is as a result of cyber attacks. For example, PETYA caused non-functioning cranes at Maersk's container terminal, and non-functioning sorting machines at TNT. Also recently, some banks have proved inaccessible due to a DDos attack. Until now, mostly technical and related organizational measures have been taken to deal with such cybersecurity threats. However, it is slowly dawning on us that reactive measures will not be sufficient in the future if we want to guarantee the continuity of such infrastructure. So how do we really get our Operational Technology (OT/ICS/SCADA) properly secured?

Stop muddling through and start working under architecture

Battling invisible cyber threats in our digital realm

That other pandemic...

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The Corona crisis has once again made us aware of the vulnerability of our (open) society. Yet we have known for much longer that vulnerability to viruses also lurks in an entirely different world; our digital society.

IT and I(I)OT are converging, now what, evolution or revolution?

IT and OT Fusion: managing change

IT and OT converging, how do we keep a grip on this (r) evolution?

IT and I(I)OT are converging, developments are accelerating, now what, evolution or revolution? 
Actually, there are 3 major developments happening simultaneously in the world of operational technology (OT). First, the number of business and management processes that require both office automation (IT) and OT to be available is growing; with or without interfaces between them. Applications are growing, but information security is not automatically growing with them. This makes a second development even more important, that of growing external threats, with most in the news ransomware, such as previously at Maersk, recently at the Gelderland security region. Last but not least, there is a new player in this domain, dubbed by someone the "IoT virus. It often starts with 'sensors,' but eventually it involves large data streams, which need to be controlled. Lots of potential but immature in terms of security, thus vulnerable. What should enterprise management do with this? Adapt quickly to these new developments, at the risk of making mistakes because of this speed? Opt for evolution or revolution? Our answer is 'both', but according to a controlled change approach, in which IT and OT are aligned, with a stepped Architecture process and appropriate Communication at each stakeholder level.

A Highberg customer story: Better use of Dutch waterways

Better use of Dutch waterways

Met de aanleg van de tweede Maasvlakte maakt het containertransport een grote groei door. Nederland is hét Europese knooppunt van transport over water, onze vaarwegen behoren tot de drukste ter wereld. Vervoer over water is een uitstekend alternatief voor weg en spoor maar er blijft nog veel capaciteit onbenut. Om de potentie van onze vaarwegen goed te gebruiken moet daar verbetering in komen.

Koos van der Spek

Retail and Consumer Goods

A Highberg customer story: Bol, Optimal infrastructure for Holland's largest online store

Optimal infra Holland's largest online store

Online sales are growing phenomenally. In the past ten years, sales have more than quadrupled. And still the turnover increases every year with about 8 to 9 percent (source: Thuiswinkel Markt Monitor). For market leader Bol.com, this growth would not be possible without an optimally functioning ICT infrastructure. And optimal in this case means that the ICT just has to work all the time. An online customer is not very loyal and clicks through to another webshop. Especially in the crucial peak season around the holidays. This requires a state-of-the-art infrastructure that anticipates continuous growth.

Pim Schouten

Optimal infrastructure for Holland's largest online store

A Highberg customer story: Police, One identity in the criminal justice chain

One identity in the criminal justice chain

As soon as someone is arrested by the police, their identity must be established. This is important, for example to make sure that the right person is on trial and that it is the same person who is serving any sentence. To prevent mistaken identity and identity fraud, an unambiguous determination of that identity is essential. Not only at the police station, but at all organizations in the criminal justice chain (court, house of detention, prison, etc.).

William Swaters

People, Leadership & Culture

A Highberg customer story: Chain computerization in the immigration chain

Computerization in the immigration chain

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Those who enter our country as aliens or are found to be illegal immigrants go through step-by-step processes that may lead to them being granted a residence permit or visa or being deported from the country. This involves a chain of different organizations: the so-called aliens chain. The Direction Regie Vreemdelingenketen, part of the Ministry of Security and Justice, promotes cooperation between all chain partners.

Wilbert Enserink

Chain computerization in the immigration chain

A Highberg customer story:  Implementation of new application and digital pass system

 Implementation of digital pass system

Going to a dance class, the library, a birdwatching group, a debate, theater performance or, say, museum. For Amsterdam residents with a lower income, these activities are not always obvious. Based on the idea that everyone should be able to participate, the municipality of Amsterdam created the Stadspas over 25 years ago. A pass that offers all residents of the city the opportunity to enjoy the beauty that the city has to offer. "With the Stadspas, Amsterdam residents with a small wallet receive all kinds of financial benefits when undertaking activities or purchasing products in the areas of culture, recreation, exercise and health," says Harro Hoogerwerf, who has been working as head of the Poverty Reduction Department at the City of Amsterdam for the past year. "It's a product we are proud of, because through the City Pass we are creating more equal opportunities."

 Implementation of new application and digital pass system

A Highberg customer story: One learning environment for teacher and student

One learn environment for teacher and student

A typical university consists of a building where, as a student, you sit down behind one of the many computers, attend lectures and talk to lecturers in the corridors. The Open University is an odd duck in this respect, as there is no physical campus. Distance learning is a USP of the Open University (OU), but at the same time a pain point. Because how do you make sure the learning environment meets all the requirements and wishes of teachers and students?

Arjan van Venrooy

One learning environment for teacher and student

A Highberg Customer story: RWS, roads and waterways more secure

Roads and waterways more secure

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More and more human hands are giving way to digital processes, increasing the risk of hacks, cybersecurity failures and break-ins. Because governing is looking ahead, it is important to anticipate this now. But how do you tackle that? A good example of this is the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), which in 2014 started a large program in which all (moveable) objects - or "works of art," as they are called within RWS - are tested for their security and, where necessary, made more resilient against cybersecurity threats.

A Highberg customer story: Information security in healthcare at Triade

Information security in healthcare

Information security in healthcare at Triade

"Information security is a tricky concept. Many people when they hear this term think of ICT security, but it is much more than that. Healthcare providers do understand that you have to handle client files carefully, for example, but information security is also about protecting information about your own employees, the financial information, the access policy to locations. If you want to improve the information security of a healthcare institution, you have to deal with all processes within an organization: from policy to operational level. That's quite a job, because you have to get all the departments involved to want to cooperate."

Steven Debets

A highberg customer story: ICT modernization at CBR: shorter lead times and lower costs

IT modernization: reduce lead time and costs

ICT modernization at CBR: shorter lead times and lower costs

"The services of CBR's Medical and Punitive Measures Division and its ICT department need to be substantially improved." 
So judged the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment in 2011. But what specifically needed to be improved? In the case of the Medical and Punitive Measures Division (the division of CBR that investigates driving fitness; medical and claims), this concerned the excessively long turnaround times and high costs of service provision. "It was said: intervention is needed," explains Erik van Zegveld, partner and management consultant at Highberg. "The Driving Ability Division needs to be redesigned and the ICT landscape modernized, as it was very outdated."

Erik van Zegveld

Are you also reserving 15% for the management of Cloud Services?

Management of Cloud Services

are-you-also-reserving-15-for-the-management-of-cloud-services

When outsourcing internal IT to an external service provider, it is already well-known that you need to account for 15% (management) costs for the oversight. But does this rule also apply to the management of cloud services, or are there different principles at play?

The right level of architecture for projects

Architecture: an ounce more or less?

Applying Enterprise Architecture as a steering tool can speed up project initiation, reduce project risks, make project complexity manageable, and increase the project's chances of success. With this knowledge, one could argue that organizations should always use Enterprise Architecture as a steering tool for projects. But then again, what do you do when an organization does not have an unlimited supply of architects? And maybe a project can't get by with an "ounce less" architecture either? Highberg has developed a model that helps determine the amount of architecture required for a project.

Clarity and precision through visualizations

Visualization in ICT: A new standard

Triptych - 3: Why don't ICT projects create construction drawings in AutoCad?

Last late summer a Dutch governmental committee released a report with the title "towards grip on ICT" and is commonly referred to as “the Elias report”, because of the chairman. The report was released to address the problem that ICT projects are not in order. The report gives an important recommendation of the establishment of the BIT: Bureau ICT Testing. The advice to create a new control instrument, the BIT, raises many questions. Within the suggested recommendations, Highberg advocates the position and role of an independent Information Provision Architect. In addition to this role, the use of a visualizations and models is also an opportunity to force the project to think about issues such as functionality, feasibility, scalability, etc. in every detail. In ICT projects, why don't we actually use autocad to create a blueprint? 
Highberg's proposal is to introduce a coherent system of three recommendations. The recommendations are based on a triad of expertise, independence and transparency 
The three recommendations are: 
<ol><li>Introduction of independent Information Supply Architect </li><li>Establishment of a Specialist Team </li><li>Visualization ICT project </li></ol>


In this blog I explain how HIGHBERG views the visualization of an ICT project and the next step How to proceed. Points 1 and 2 will be covered in two separate blogs.

Strengthened by expertise and collaboration

Detailed design with expert Team

Triptych - 2: Design a solution in ALL its details!

Last late summer a Dutch governmental committee released a report with the title "towards grip on ICT" and is commonly referred to as “the Elias report”, because of the chairman. The report was released to address the problem that ICT projects are not in order. The report gives an important recommendation of the establishment of the BIT: Bureau ICT Testing. The advice to create a new control instrument, the BIT, raises many questions. Within the suggested recommendations, Highberg advocates the position and role of an independent Information Provision Architect. In addition to this role, the use of a Specialist Team in complex projects is also an opportunity for greater success, an opportunity we should not miss! 
Highberg's proposal is to implement a coherent system of three recommendations. The recommendations are based on a triad of expertise, independence and transparency. 
The three recommendations are: 
<ol><li>Introduction of independent Information Supply Architect </li><li>Establishment of a Specialist Team </li><li>Visualization ICT project </li></ol>


In this blog, I explain how Highberg interprets the establishment of a Specialist Team. Items 1 and 3 will be covered in two separate blogs.

Success through Information Architect

Internal Quality in ICT Projects

Triptych - 1: ICT projects succeed through quality from within!

Last late summer a Dutch governmental committee released a report with the title "towards grip on ICT" and is commonly referred to as “the Elias report”, because of the chairman. The report was released to address the problem that ICT projects are not in order. The report gives an important recommendation of the establishment of the BIT: Bureau ICT Testing. The advice to create a new control instrument, the BIT, raises many questions. Even more controls, audits and reviews. Does that really contribute to a better running project? Within the principles of the BIT as also formulated from the Dutch Government’s response to the Elias report, Highberg (formerly known as VKA) is of the opinion that one of the possible mechanisms to a better running project is not yet sufficiently highlighted. We argued for an improvement of the content, i.e. a change in a project from within in the area that matters: the quality of the solution. A better quality project...who wouldn't want that? Let me explain how we envision this in broad terms. 
Highberg's proposal is to introduce a coherent system of three recommendations. The recommendations are based on a triad of expertise, independence and transparency: 
<ol><li>Introduction of independent Information Supply Architect </li><li>Establishment of a Specialist Team </li><li>Visualization ICT project </li></ol>


In this blog, I explain how Highberg views the role and position of an independent Information Provision Architect. Items 2 and 3 will be covered in subsequent blogs. And then the next step 'How to proceed'.

Connecting and essential for agile success

Architect: Heart of the scrum team

The architect is the indispensable jack-of-all-trades on a scrum team

One of the principles of the Agile manifesto reads, <a href="http://www.agilemanifesto.org/principles.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams."</a> An architect ensures connection in, and between, the self-organizing teams. But also ensures commitment to the organization's established architecture principles and guidelines. In practice, the role of solution architect is often forgotten in scrum teams, while the roles of "developer" and "tester" are explicitly named. The role of solution architect is an essential and indispensable role within a Scrum team.

Joost van Lier

Less Data, More Control and Security

Towards a Data-Lean Organization

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Organizations are collecting more and more data in search of better business and new services. However, too much data makes one fat and unhealthy. This data obesity leads to high management burdens and an increasing risk of data breaches. Organizations must learn to discard data to regain control of their own data. After lean processes, a plea for lean data.

Martijn Hunsche

A data lean organization is a fitter organization!

Architects as the Bridge between IT and Business

Architects innovate!

Organizations are facing more and more new and sometimes disruptive technologies. The architect plays a crucial role in reaping the benefits of these. This requires of him a mindset in which connecting is central 
The past decades have seen enormous changes in IT departments of organizations. In the early 1990s with the introduction of computers. Followed by the introduction of the World Wide Web in the late 1990s. The last decade saw the emergence of concepts such as time, place and device independent working under the guise of the new way of working. In the coming years, IT departments face even more and bigger challenges. Concepts such as Big Data and Predictive Analysis, the Industrial Internet of Things and artificial intelligence must be implemented within existing or new infrastructure.

Turning principles into successful collaborative practices

The practice of working in ecosystems

the-practice-of-working-in-ecosystems

In <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/why-thinking-in-ecosystems-pays-off">blog 1</a>, we elaborated on why it's essential to shift from thinking in silos to thinking in ecosystems. In <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/why-thinking-in-ecosystems-pays-off">blog 2</a>, we explained five principles that make collaboration in ecosystems successful. In this third blog, we provide some examples of these five principles in practice. We'll give you the payoff in advance: Managing ecosystems starts with yourself!

Cleo van Engelen

The Importance of Knowing the Present

Building with an Eye to the Past

Working under architecture also means knowing the past

You don't remodel a house without a good plan. Whoever chooses an extension makes sure that its appearance matches the design of the house. And before the actual rebuilding begins, the contractor checks where water and electricity run, and whether any load-bearing walls will be demolished.

5 principles for making ecosystem collaboration work

Collaboration in ecosystems

5-principles-for-making-ecosystem-collaboration-work

In <a href="https://highberg.com/insights/why-thinking-in-ecosystems-pays-off">blog 1</a>, we elaborated on why it is important to shift from thinking in silos to thinking in ecosystems. It's the essence of the transition to a digital world. In blog 2, we explained five principles that characterize collaboration in ecosystems.

Why Business Involvement in IT is Essential

Technical Infrastructure and Governance

Technical Infrastructure requires specific Governance

In practice, organizations do too little 'governance' when setting up and developing the Technical Infrastructure. And this has to change!

Jelle Wissenburgh

From silos to ecosystems: the essence of digital transition

Why thinking in ecosystems pays off

Why-thinking-in-ecosystems-pays-off

From silos to ecosystems 
Silo thinking is out, and "ecosystem" is the new buzzword. It encapsulates the essence of transition thinking, the transition to a digital society. This blog, in three parts, explains why it is important, which principles drive success, and how you can take steps in this direction. In this first part: why thinking in ecosystems pays off.

A Highberg customer story: Research 'Internet voting for voters outside the Netherlands'

Internet voting for outside the Netherlands

Research 'Internet voting for voters outside the Netherlands'

Internet voting for voters who are not in the Netherlands on voting day. It sounds so obvious in a time when we do almost everything via the Internet. Commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), Highberg conducted a study in 2014 on the risks of this form of voting.

A Highberg customer story: ICT saves lives!

ICT saves lives!

ICT redt levens!

In 2013, Sanquin faced a major change in its entire ICT landscape. The ICT department was tasked with improving the company's ICT by realizing higher quality, higher customer satisfaction, lower costs and also more innovation. This required replacing all of the company's ICT - equipment, networks, printers, workstations. Because all in all this would be a complex change, Sanquin was the first to look for an independent strategic consultant who could support it in this change. In 2013, Sanquin chose Highberg as its strategic partner to help realize this complex change.

A Highberg customer story: Information security for dry feet

Information security for dry feet

Safe information systems and safe industrial systems at the Dutch water boards, such as flood defenses, measuring equipment and water treatment plants are crucial to our society. Prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall demonstrate time and again how dependent the Netherlands is on well-managed water management. The water boards play a crucial role in this and information security must be in order.

Joep Janssen

A Highberg customer story: Good ICT support as key to flexible education

Good ICT support for flexible education

Good ICT support as key to flexible education

How can we design our programs so that they can offer students now, but also in the future, education that is in line with new developments? This question prompted a faculty of a university of applied sciences to draw up a new flexible education model. Flexibility is the key word here. To ensure that the faculty can also successfully implement and support the new education, it was necessary, in the short term, to also realize and implement the right ICT support.

Arjan van Venrooij

A Highberg case study about: Support for outsourcing the IT environment to the cloud

Outsourcing the IT environment to the cloud

Outsourcing to the cloud

Changes in ICT are rapid and the complexity of ICT is increasing. How do you keep a grip on ICT while innovation is accelerating and more and more work needs to be done to keep up? And how do you ensure that employees can keep up with these developments? For SRK Rechtsbijstand, a foundation that provides independent legal aid on behalf of insurers, these were the challenges it faced. After all, SRK expects more and more from its ICT: higher quality, lower costs and more innovation. In addition, the organization, and therefore its ICT, must meet strict standards in the areas of information security and privacy. From these challenges came the question: realize a sourcing strategy so that SRK can bring its ICT to the market in phases based on well-considered choices.

Kyra Koper

Consultant

Capabilities

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