A unique collaboration that goes beyond a traditional client-supplier relationship
A world first: a physical AI server installed in Belfius’s data center. The bancassurer is taking a new step forward in its digital strategy by co-developing the next generation of cybersecurity with Aikido
“Attackers operate at the speed of machines; companies can no longer continue to react at human speed,” says Roeland Delrue, co-founder of Aikido. “Belfius understood this before anyone else and chose not to wait for this technology, but to build it with us. That’s what makes this partnership so special: a Belgian bank and a Belgian unicorn achieving a world first together!”
Faced with an attacker that never sleeps, traditional defenses are no longer enough. Belfius and Aikido Security have decided to tackle this battle differently—and together. The result is the Aikido Machine: a dedicated AI server equipped with Nvidia GPUs, which will be installed right within the bank, mobilizing more than 200 ethical AI hackers to test and challenge its own systems.
The idea? The AI agents search for vulnerabilities 24/7, enabling these advanced security tests to be conducted continuously. Potential risks can thus be quickly identified and addressed. In this way, the bank’s cyber resilience will be continuously tested, challenged, and strengthened.
Two Belgian pioneers, one mission
This collaboration goes beyond a traditional client-supplier relationship. Belfius and Aikido will work together to refine the Machine, adapting it to the strict security requirements, regulations, and operational realities specific to a major financial institution.
Belfius brings the expertise and operational complexity of a systemic financial institution. Aikido provides the technology: autonomous AI agents, built on the best AI models, operating within a bank’s infrastructure.
The Machine is based on a model-agnostic architecture, which allows it to leverage various large language models (LLMs), including those from Belfius’s partners. This gives the Machine the flexibility to use the most suitable model for each task, without relying on a single vendor.
The goal: to develop a revolutionary cybersecurity product “Made in Belgium” for the financial sector and other highly regulated industries, ready to take the world by storm.
Belfius, Alan, Mistral… and Aikido
This collaboration is part of Belfius’ broader strategy to invest in European technological innovation. With its BAM (Belfius – Alan – Mistral) event held in 2024, Belfius affirmed its ambition: not merely to support technological innovation in Europe, but to play an active role in it, notably through strategic partnerships with Mistral AI and Alan.
The collaboration with Aikido marks a new step in establishing this European technological leadership. It is a great opportunity for the Ghent-based company, which earlier this year became the fastest European cybersecurity company in history to achieve unicorn status. Today, it is used by more than 100,000 teams worldwide, from the Premier League to Revolut.
For Bram Somers, Chief Technology & Operations Officer at Belfius, the goal is to “make cybersecurity as dynamic as the risks we’re fighting.” With Aikido, the bank is helping to develop cutting-edge Belgian technology, where AI is used as an ally to continuously strengthen digital resilience and customer trust. “Together, we’re demonstrating that innovation in Belgium and Europe is truly cutting-edge and is making a real difference.”
