Acting Director Martin Bech celebrates 40 years of service at DeiC, Denmark’s national research and education network (NREN).
Martin Bech joined DeiC’s predecessor organization in the mid-1980ies as a student worker. After obtaining his master’s degree in engineering in 1991, he continued in the organization which – at that time under the name UNI-C – became the first genuine internet provider in Denmark.
Given the rapid development of the sector, Martin Bech would play roles in a range of new both technological and organizational developments. Examples are the first firewalls, assisting Danish police in cybersecurity matters, and the later establishment of an optical fiber backbone for the NREN.
In June 2026, Martin Bech was appointed Acting Director at DeiC. He came from the position of Chief Technology Officer. Martin also sits on the NORDUnet Board of Directors.
His skills in networking are not purely technical; Martin also enjoys patching human connections when he documents the NORDUnet and TNC conferences through the lens of his own small dedicated camera or make the entire NORDUnet conference dinner sing along to his own lyrics.
Whether Martin also sings along when he rides and repairs his Citroën cars is somewhat “Blowin’ in the wind”, but what is a fact is that NORDUnet is blown away by Martin’s dedication to the NREN community and is happy to congratulate him on his achievements over the past 40 years.
Martin Bech’s 40 years’ jubilee at DeiC is celebrated on Monday, October 5, 2026, at DTU/Lyngby, The Demant/Oticon Hall, Building 107. 14:00-14:45, Martin Bech will give a presentation under the headline “The history of the Internet in Denmark – the short version”, followed by a reception. Registration for the event is necessary – details found at www.deic.dk
