Sharing knowledge on risk, compliance, and cyber security

22 Oct 2025

University College Cork hosted seven visitors from Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) working in areas of governance, risk and cyber security for a knowledge-sharing visit on 21-22 October 2025. 

Visitors included Anne O'Brien, Secretary of the Executive Board and Director of the General Management Directorate at Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Rory O'Connor, Chief Information Security Officer, alongside colleagues Anne Fenyvesi (Information Risk Manager), Domenico Essoussi (Vendor Risk Manager), Maaike van der Wal (Information Security Officer), Michiel van der Donck (Business Information Security Officer), and Niels Bolt (Enterprise Risk Manager).

The visitors were welcomed by Nick Parkinson (Director ERM), Mairéad Loughman (Risk Manager) and Sian James (ERM Administrator). Mairéad was pleased to welcome this return visit following her own visit to Erasmus University Rotterdam last year. Knowledge-sharing meetings were held with a range of colleagues in the areas of governance, risk and cyber security. 

UCC Head of IT Security Gerard Culley commented, "It was great to share best practice between our cyber team and their team, it was reassuring to learn that we were both facing the same challenges, and it was really helpful to hear about how they were addressing some of the Cyber challenges across Europe. Our Cyber team were also able to pass on good tips on how we tackled some of these issues. Really rewarding experience, which I would thoroughly recommend."

EUR's Rory O'Connor added, "UCC staff impressed the Erasmus University delegation with their unity of purpose and commitment to the region. We look forward to continuing the cooperation and returning the hospitality in Rotterdam in the new year."