Cyber Security District

What does it take to build a cybersecurity company not once, but twice from the ground up? In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Francisco Nina Rente, one of Portugal's most accomplished cybersecurity entrepreneurs. Francisco started his journey as a teenager tinkering with computers and quickly found his way into ethical hacking and open-source security communities. That curiosity became a career, which then led to a company. His first venture grew from a university incubator into a 250-person operation delivering services across 22 countries, before being acquired by a global security group. After years scaling that business from the inside and taking on roles as country manager, CTO and board member, Francisco stepped away to build again. This time, the mission is clearer: help organisations stop just detecting threats and start truly recovering from them. Art Resilia was born out of a conviction that the market was shifting from cybersecurity to cyber resilience, and Francisco positioned the company right at the centre of that shift. Key Takeaways: Cyber resilience is about recovery, not just defence Focus beats opportunity-chasing, especially in the early days of a startup The Commonwealth of a team always comes before individual interest Trust-based security communication outlasts fear-based selling every time Knowledge remains the core differentiator, even in the age of AI Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction01:20 – From a family computer to a hacker mindset04:00 – First paid gig: penetration testing for hardware05:30 – Building Portugal's first incident response team at university09:00 – Selling trust, not fear: early media and awareness work11:00 – Scaling to 22 countries and finding the right investors15:30 – The acquisition: joining a global security group20:00 – Growing into CTO and leaving on his own terms22:00 – The idea behind Art Resilia and reading the market shift24:30 – The name: "The Art of Resilience"25:00 – Where Art Resilia stands today: 50 people, 4 countries27:00 – Why the Netherlands and Benelux?28:00 – Lessons from 20 years of building: focus, people, pragmatism33:00 – Culture, remote work, and hiring for values first40:00 – What's next for Art Resilia in 3–5 years43:00 – AI in cybersecurity: tool or transformation?45:30 – Advice for young professionals entering the field52:00 – Final message to CISOs: protect both business confidentiality and individual privacy Connect with the guest:Francisco Nina Rente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frente/Website: https://www.artresilia.com   Follow Cyber Security District: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

What if you could clone your best cybersecurity consultant and put them to work on five engagements at once? In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Leslie Clement and Erie Berhitu, co-founders of Clember AI, an EU-first, AI-native platform built to automate the repetitive, time-consuming work that holds cybersecurity consultants back. Both Leslie and Erie spent years grinding through the same manual loops at major consultancy firms document analysis, gap assessments, risk reports, roadmaps before deciding enough was enough. Rather than build another consulting firm or hire more headcount, they built a platform. Clember AI now enables security consultants to run five or more client engagements simultaneously, with consistent, high-quality output every time. And they did it entirely bootstrapped, no VC, no investor pressure, just product-market fit and a clear-eyed vision of where cybersecurity consulting is heading. In this episode, we explore: How a company getting hacked on day one of the job launched Leslie’s career in cybersecurity The year-long frustration that led Erie and Leslie to build Clember AI instead of another consulting firm Why they chose to stay bootstrapped despite investor interest  and why they don’t regret it How Clember AI automates the full consulting lifecycle: document ingestion, gap analysis, risk translation, and reporting Why consistency across junior and senior consultants is a bigger deal than most firms admit The shift from hourly billing to monthly retainers and how Clember keeps consulting firms “interesting” to clients year three and beyond Their vision: becoming the Datasnipper of cybersecurity consulting Why embracing AI is non-negotiable for CISOs  and why helping early-stage startups matters for the whole industry Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction 00:15 – Meet Leslie Clement and Erie Berhitu 01:40 – How Erie got into cybersecurity (and why it wasn’t exactly planned) 02:45 – Leslie’s rough first day: getting hacked with no tech team 04:00 – The shared frustration that sparked Clember AI 06:10 – Why they chose to build a tech firm instead of a consulting firm 08:30 – The first product concept: automating the questionnaire 11:20 – Who Clember AI is actually for: cybersecurity consultancy firms 14:00 – Billable hours vs. scale: how Clember changes the math 17:30 – The shift from hourly billing to monthly retainers and staying interesting in year three 22:00 – Will AI kill traditional consultancy? Leslie and Erie’s take 25:10 – How Clember works: document ingestion, gap analysis, risk translation, roadmaps 29:00 – Consistency across consultant seniority levels 31:30 – Hiring technical talent as non-technical founders 34:00 – Staying bootstrapped despite VC interest  and why pivoting was easier without investor pressure 38:30 – What made Clember appealing at an early stage 41:00 – The hiccups: work-life balance, family, and knowing when to step away 44:30 – Gut feeling vs. rational decision-making as founders 48:00 – The vision: Clember as the Datasnipper for cybersecurity consulting 51:30 – What’s next: new markets, sales hires, and scaling customer success 54:00 – Data privacy and security by design inside Clember 57:00 – Final message to CISOs: embrace innovation, and back the startups Connect with the guests: Leslie Clement: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-clement/ Erie Berhitu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eberhitu/ Website: https://www.clember.ai/   Follow Cyber Security District: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we speak with Tom Leijte, founder of Passguard, one of the most exciting emerging cybersecurity companies in the Netherlands. Passguard helps organizations detect when infected devices, stolen credentials, and active sessions show up on criminal marketplaces, giving security teams early visibility before exposure turns into a breach. Tom shares how his journey started outside of “traditional” cybersecurity, working in private investigations where dark web intelligence was already part of high-stakes screening work. Together with his technical co-founder, he built the capabilities to infiltrate closed criminal forums and surface the kind of forensic-level logs most companies never see until it’s too late. In this episode, we cover: Using dark web intelligence for sensitive employee screening Why “classic” dark web monitoring often gets deprioritized by security teams The infostealer shift: stolen session tokens, not just leaked passwords How session theft can bypass MFA and why that changes the game How criminal marketplaces work (and how trust is built among criminals) How Passguard infiltrates closed forums using reputation, escrow, and long-term access Building a European-first solution and partnering with MSSPs / security platforms Scaling after investment: team growth, ICP clarity, and market expansion Timestamps:00:00 – Intro00:15 – Meet Tom Leijte and Passguard’s mission00:37 – Early visibility: exposure before it becomes a breach01:22 – Tom’s background in private investigations02:13 – Screening sensitive roles using open-source + dark web sources03:47 – Why dark web intelligence matters for organizations04:39 – How Passguard started (and the co-founder story)05:53 – What surprised Tom most about the dark web06:20 – Data breaches vs data brokers: what ends up for sale07:20 – Discovering infostealers and why they’re different08:17 – Session tokens, MFA bypass, and the “unmanaged endpoint” problem10:01 – What infostealers capture (sessions, access, and more)11:10 – Why SaaS + remote work + BYOD changed attacker economics12:27 – Supplier and branch-office risk: the blind spot organizations miss14:31 – Why classic “dark web monitoring” wasn’t landing in the market15:38 – The Mom Test and learning to run real customer conversations18:08 – Reframing the problem: focusing on infostealer exposure20:38 – How the dark web works (no “bookmark”, reputation, escrow)23:11 – Passguard’s approach: bots, reputation, and long-term infiltration25:55 – Real-world example: infostealers and large-scale government breaches27:37 – What stolen access is worth and how it gets packaged for sale29:19 – Screenshots, persistence, and “always up-to-date” stolen sessions30:05 – Educating customers and turning awareness into action31:03 – What Passguard delivers: evidence, context, and early alerts33:08 – The Snowflake case: old credentials, massive impact36:06 – Scaling after investment: pressure, growth, and coping37:18 – Why Tom chose experienced cyber investors and operators39:43 – Passguard as intelligence inside MSP/MSSP security workflows41:45 – Team expansion and what roles matter most next43:27 – ICP clarity and European market expansion45:27 – Signal message to CISOs: give startups a chance early46:50 – Outro Connect with the guests: Tom Leijte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-leijte-01596536/ Website: https://www.passguard.com/ Follow Cybersecurity District: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Julius Muth, co-founder of Revel8, a fast-growing startup tackling one of the most urgent threats in modern cybersecurity: deepfake-powered social engineering. Julius flew in from Berlin to join us in the Amsterdam studio and breaks down how attackers are already cloning voices, abusing call centers, and using multi-channel manipulation (email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, video calls) to bypass technical defenses and target employees at scale. We also get into how Revel8 scaled from early MVPs to large enterprise rollouts, the team’s operator DNA from Celonis, and their goal to build “10 million human firewalls.” In this episode, we dive into: Why deepfake voice phishing is exploding via service desks and call centers The real-world deepfake fraud case that changed everything (25M USD) How Revel8 personalizes awareness with role-based “playlist” simulations Why time-to-first-report beats click rate as a security KPI How Revel8 scaled fast: funding, enterprise rollouts, and culture Key Takeaways: Deepfakes turn trust signals (voice, video) into attack surfaces Context-rich phishing is far more effective than generic campaigns Awareness works best in short, relevant, continuous moments Measure reporting behavior and speed, not “gotcha” click rates Modern threats require modern training across every channel Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction00:15 – Meet Julius Muth and Revel8’s mission01:20 – Why deepfakes are a serious enterprise risk02:30 – Voice phishing through service desks and call centers04:00 – A real incident example and why it’s “hot” right now04:45 – Founders’ background and the Celonis operator mindset05:40 – Validating the market (100 handwritten letters)07:10 – The deepfake fraud case: 25M USD and what it proved09:20 – Social engineering is leveling up (multi-channel trust)12:00 – The “podcast vote” scam and impersonation patterns14:20 – From MVPs to enterprise: what changed after hiring a senior CTO19:00 – Why traditional awareness training fails23:40 – The “Spotify playlist” model: personalized learning journeys26:00 – Turning real attacks into simulations28:40 – Better KPIs: time-to-first-report and workforce sensors31:10 – Modern payloads and “make the victim execute” tactics34:40 – Scaling growth: team, cold-calling “Champions League,” and GTM41:40 – Advisors, credibility, and enterprise access45:00 – The goal of “10 million human firewalls”46:10 – Why the name Revel8 (and the naming story)48:40 – Hiring profile and what they look for51:40 – Munich office move and what’s next52:35 – Final message to CISOs Connect with the guest:Julius Muth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julius-muth/ Revel8: https://www.revel8.ai/ Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Title: Securing the World´s biggest HR Firm | Martijn Nykerk, CISO at Randstad | Cyber Security District Episode Description: What does it take to secure a company that manages the careers of millions of people across the globe? In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Martijn Nykerk, CISO at Randstad, one of the world’s largest HR and recruitment firms, with over 6,000 branches across 38 countries. Martijn has spent 20 years inside Randstad, growing from running the Dutch telco infrastructure to becoming its first global CISO, building security from the ground up as the company transformed from a federation of local operators into a true multinational. With an engineering background forged on North Sea gas platforms, Martijn brings a rare perspective to the CISO role: the ability to zoom in and out across technical, process, organizational, and business layers simultaneously. In this conversation, he breaks down what that actually looks like in practice, why social skills matter more than most security professionals think and how to build a security function that people want to work with.  In this episode, we explore: How Martijn’s career started on a North Sea gas production platform  and why safety systems are the original cybersecurity What it took to build Randstad’s first global security function from scratch The CISO dilemma: centralize or embed?  How to build a security team people actually want to engage with Managing vulnerability backlogs, budget battles, and the patching problem The real-world incident that moved cybersecurity from priority 43 to priority 1 overnight How AI is lowering the barrier for attackers  including 16-year-olds running perfect phishing campaigns Why CISO community-building and information sharing matter more than ever Timestamps: (00:00) – Introduction (01:15) – Starting on a North Sea gas platform (05:30) – Joining Randstad and running the Dutch telco infrastructure (09:00) – Becoming Randstad’s first global CISO (14:20) – The “zoom in and zoom out” CISO mindset (19:45) – What would surprise someone shadowing a CISO for a week (24:10) – Compliance-heavy vs. risk-driven CISO profiles (28:30) – Embed vs. centralize: the security team structure debate (33:00) – How to make security a team people want (37:15) – Patching, vulnerability backlogs, and the budget war (42:30) – Building a security narrative that lands with leadership (46:00) – The incident that changed everything: data breach and crisis response (53:20) – What makes a great security professional (hint: it’s social skills) (58:00) – The CISO hiring interview: starting with “What questions do you have for me?” (01:02:10) – Community building and the 80% overlap problem (01:07:30) – AI as an attacker accelerant  (01:12:00) – Final message to CISOs: trust each other and share more   Connect with the guest: Martijn Nykerk: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnnykerk/   Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we speak with Chris Zadeh, serial entrepreneur, fintech pioneer, angel investor, and author. Chris was founder and CEO of Ohpen, one of the first cloud-native core banking platforms in Europe, orchestrating more than €100 billion in financial flows. After building and scaling Ohpen for ten years, he exited and shifted his focus to investing, launching a dedicated cybersecurity fund and his own investment vehicle. From growing up without financial privilege to becoming one of the early digital banking pioneers at Binck in the Netherlands, Chris shares an unfiltered look at execution, obsession, discipline, and what it truly takes to win in regulated markets. Now Chris is investing in cybersecurity startups, Chris explains what he looks for in founders, why AI is reshaping risk and compliance, and why Europe must rethink digital sovereignty. In this episode, we cover: Chris’ founder journey: from Binck Bank scale-up years to building Ohpen for 10 years What “security-first” looks like in fintech, non-negotiables, resilience, and trust with enterprise buyers Execution culture, exceeding expectations, hiring for discipline, and why culture beats product The shift to investing and why he started a cyber fund and what he looks for in founders What’s next in AI-driven risk, compliance + security convergence, and Europe’s digital sovereignty challenge Timestamps:00:00 – Intro00:14 – Meet Chris Zadeh01:59 – Growing up without financial safety nets03:14 – Joining BinckBank at 2306:52 – Scaling to market dominance08:57 – Wanting to sit at the decision-making table11:36 – Early infrastructure and security lessons14:18 – A firewall shutdown incident17:55 – Leaving to build Open18:48 – The vision for cloud-native core banking22:29 – 744 pages of rejection before first contract27:14 – Migrating €15B live28:09 – Security as non-negotiable32:15 – Hiring discipline and execution mindset35:05 – Culture: exceed expectations or leave37:35 – The cost of extreme execution41:21 – Transitioning to investing44:27 – Why he rejects the “solo entrepreneur” myth49:35 – Launching the cybersecurity fund51:16 – AI, compliance, and new cyber opportunities58:55 – European cloud sovereignty01:04:03 – Signal message to CSOs: stay curious01:06:00 – Outro Connect with the guest:Chris Zadeh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriszadeh/Dark Red (Cyber Fund): https://www.darkred.at/ Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

What if the real cybersecurity crisis isn’t attackers, but our own backlog? In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Jaya Baloo, former CISO at major global organizations including KPN, Avast, and Rapid7 and now founder of AISLE™, an AI-native platform designed to not just detect vulnerabilities, but fix them. After years defending complex enterprises from relentless threats, Jaya made a bold move: stepping out of the CISO seat to build the kind of technology she wished she had. Her mission is clear, eliminate the massive vulnerability backlog that leaves organizations trapped in “security theater” instead of meaningfully reducing risk. This conversation goes beyond buzzwords. We unpack why detection without remediation is broken, how AI can be applied responsibly to actually close security gaps, and what it takes to build transformative security products in stealth.   In this episode, we explore: Why Jaya left top-tier CISO roles to start AISLE™ The uncomfortable truth about vulnerability backlogs and unpatched systems Why identity failures remain a systemic weakness How AISLE uses AI for detection, remediation, and verification The importance of stealth mode before going public What leadership looks like in an AI-driven cybersecurity era Key Takeaways: Vulnerability management without remediation is incomplete Security technical debt is evolving into a societal-level risk AI must be paired with verification and human oversight Innovation is essential to preserving true defence in depth The best CISOs stay curious and challenge their own assumptions Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction01:20 – Jaya’s transition from enterprise CISO to founder05:45 – The vulnerability backlog problem10:30 – Why identity failures remain systemic16:40 – Building AISLE™: from concept to stealth22:15 – AI for remediation, not just detection29:50 – Verification, testing, and human-in-the-loop controls36:10 – Working with design partners and open-source communities42:35 – The AI shift in cybersecurity48:20 – Leadership lessons from the CISO seat54:10 – Final message to global CISOs Connect with the guest:Jaya Baloo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaya-baloo-558492/ Website: https://aisle.com/ Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District podcast, we speak with Marco Ramilli, a cybersecurity visionaire, TEDx speaker, and founder of IdentifAI, a deepfake detection company working at the intersection of AI, trust, and digital identity. From writing early sandboxing papers to leading cyber defense teams and selling his previous startup to VirusTotal (Google), Marco has spent the last two decades safeguarding digital borders. At IdentifAI, he’s now taking on one of the biggest threats of the AI era: manipulated content. Whether it’s fake insurance claims, fraud in football scouting, or synthetic identities onboarding to banks, his platform uses AI to detect AI: verifying whether images, voices, or videos were generated by humans or machines. In this episode, Marco shares his founder story, why he believes the shift from deterministic to probabilistic computing will reshape cybersecurity, and how his latest startup scaled to enterprise use cases within a year. In this episode, we cover: Marco’s hacking origin story and first run-in with his university Researching malware and voting systems at UC Davis Founding his first cybersecurity company in Italy when the market wasn’t ready Bootstrapping a business through 3+ years of break-even before momentum hit Early ransomware response and reverse-engineering threats Getting acquired by Tinexta and integrating into VirusTotal Building IdentifAI to detect deepfakes using AI-powered forensics From onboarding fraud to football scouting scams,  real use cases The rise of “digital performers” and the ethics of synthetic content Why deterministic cybersecurity tools are no longer enough The philosophical shift security teams must make to handle probabilistic models Advice for scaling startups, hiring A-players, and letting go as a founder His signal message to CISOs: curiosity will save us Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro00:14 – Meet Marco Ramilli01:00 – Hacking the campus network (with a for loop!)02:15 – Getting caught, and hired for cyber research03:10 – Reverse engineering malware at UC Davis04:30 – Cybersecurity in Italy: too early, too expensive05:45 – Why compliance was seen as a cost06:20 – Building a company just to be the “owner of his time”07:00 – Early business struggles & staying focused08:30 – Why saying “no” saved his startup10:10 – On embracing failure and learning from loss11:30 – Curiosity, discomfort, and moving to the U.S.13:00 – Sleeping on floors and working without backup14:00 – Founding Yoroi, growing from 4 to hundreds of employees15:30 – The ransomware era and massive inbound traction16:45 – Sandboxing: research, papers, and real-world applications18:00 – Joining Google via acquisition19:30 – Startup phases and letting go as a founder21:00 – Hiring advice: don’t save money on great people23:00 – Launching IdentifAI: how a fake Pope jacket sparked a real mission25:00 – Building AI to detect AI: early model design27:00 – From 80% to 96% accuracy in deepfake detection28:00 – Why images are more dangerous than text29:45 – The weaponization of synthetic media31:20 – How IdentifAI detects voice, image, and video manipulation32:45 – Use cases: banking KYC, insurance fraud, and football scouting35:00 – API-first strategy and enterprise readiness36:30 – “Digital Performers” and the ethics of representation37:30 – Real-time meeting detection via agents39:00 – Why probabilistic AI is changing the rules40:00 – How cybersecurity must evolve to deal with uncertainty43:20 – Deployment flexibility: on-prem or private cloud46:20 – The philosophical challenge of non-deterministic systems49:30 – Final message to CISOs: stay curious Connect with the guests: Marco Ramilli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoramilli/ Website: https://identifai.net/ Follow Cybersecurity District: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Kim van Lavieren, co-founder and CTO of Dawnguard, a cybersecurity startup that raised millions in funding before registering a company or launching a product. Kim’s story is anything but ordinary, from leading Marines on no-sleep missions to building offensive hacking tools for the Dutch military, to managing massive security teams at Amazon in the U.S., his path combines discipline, vision, and deep technical mastery. Together with co-founder Madi Abdurazak, Kim is now on a mission to completely rethink how cybersecurity should be done, by starting not with alerts or vulnerabilities, but with architecture, policy, and real business risk. Dawnguard is building a platform that automates secure-by-design architecture using AI, aiming to replace an entire category of cloud security tools before most companies even realize there’s a better way. In this episode, we cover: What the Dutch Marine Corps taught Kim about discipline and decision-making How a military comms officer became a cybersecurity architect Building secure systems after discovering flaws in weapons room access Writing offensive tools for the cyber division of the Dutch Armed Forces Why cyber soldiers may be more impactful than boots on the ground Kim’s journey to Amazon and running third-party security at massive scale The mindset shift from “no” to “how” in security engineering The origin story behind Dawnguard and raising millions pre-product How Dawnguard is building a new category for architecture-led security Using AI to design, verify, deploy, and enforce security from day zero Advice for cybersecurity newcomers, and why the industry must rebrand How Dutch risk aversion is holding back innovation — and how to break through Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro00:00:47 – Kim's Background: From Marines to Cybersecurity00:03:29 – Training Under Extreme Pressure00:06:28 – Becoming a Communications Officer & Discovering Security Gaps00:08:18 – First Lines of Code at Age 1000:10:19 – When Tech & Physical Endurance Collide00:11:04 – Offensive Cyber Capabilities in the Military00:14:22 – Why Cyber Soldiers Now Matter More Than Physical Ones00:17:05 – Consulting, CISO Roles & Joining Amazon00:18:49 – The Scale & Speed of Security at Amazon00:21:00 – The Origin of Dawnguard00:23:00 – Automating Architecture Compliance with AI00:25:08 – Using Threat Intel & Policy as a Starting Point00:28:02 – Building the Engine: 5 AIs and a Moonshot00:30:46 – Meeting Madi & Finding the Perfect Co-Founder Match00:33:29 – Raising Millions with No Product — and Building a Dream Team00:36:37 – Rise Into Resilience: What the Dawnguard Slogan Really Means00:38:08 – Rebranding Cyber: Why the Industry Needs a Makeover00:39:44 – Advice for People Trying to Break Into Security00:41:03 – Advice for Aspiring Cyber Entrepreneurs00:44:42 – Certifications, Labs & Reality Checks00:47:25 – Going Big Means Accepting Uncertainty00:49:00 – The 5-Year Vision: Replace Entire Security Categories00:50:30 – Final Signal Message to CISOs: Security Is Balance, Not Absolutes Connect with the guests: Kim van Lavieren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-v-0645931b4/ Learn more about Dawnguard: https://dawnguard.ai/ Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.comAll channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Niek Waarbroek (Founder & CTO) and Tycho Klessens (CEO) of Florbs, a Dutch startup transforming file security inside Google Workspace. What started as a simple set of admin scripts has evolved into a powerful SaaS platform, used by global enterprises to automate onboarding, offboarding, and prevent accidental (or malicious) data leaks. Niek shares how his frustrations with error-prone onboarding flows inspired him to build smarter tools, and how a lack of visibility into shared files became a real security threat for many organizations. After bootstrapping Florbs for three years, he crossed paths with Tycho, then a VC investor, who not only became the commercial co-founder, but helped raise €1 million to scale the team. Together, they discuss the power of building with product-led growth, how they’re scaling without wasting capital, and why real file security goes beyond Google’s default settings. They also explain why early-stage cybersecurity startups need more than funding, including focus, clarity, and the right partner chemistry. In this episode, we cover: The original problem Florbs set out to solve inside Google Workspace Why offboarding is one of the biggest overlooked security gaps How ex-employees still access company data without detection From custom scripts to a full-fledged SaaS product Product-led growth without a sales team or marketing budget Raising €1 million from angel investors and CISOs Going from solo founder to building a complementary co-founder team How they’re building safe, reversible file actions with real-time insights Expanding into AI-powered detection and cross-platform collaboration security Lessons learned transitioning from VC investor to cybersecurity CEO Whether you're a CISO, founder, or operator working in Google Workspace or building a startup yourself, this episode shows how automation and visibility can finally close one of the biggest blind spots in modern file security.   Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:15 – What Inspired Florbs: The Google Workspace Problem03:40 – Why Onboarding & Offboarding Create Risk06:00 – Real-World Cases: Ex-Employees Accessing Confidential Docs08:45 – Building from Admin Scripts to Full Product11:30 – Why Google Alone Doesn’t Cut It for File Security14:50 – The Origins of the Name “Florbs”18:10 – Google Developer Expert Status & Product-Led Growth21:00 – Meeting Tycho: From VC Investor to Co-Founder25:30 – The First Pitch, the Missed Investment & The Unexpected Partnership30:40 – Raising Smart Capital (Not Just Any Capital)34:00 – Scaling Carefully: Where the €1M Will Go37:20 – Building Automated Security Workflows40:15 – Preventing AI-Fueled Phishing & Lookalike Domain Attacks44:00 – Hiring Philosophy, Co-Founder Chemistry & Startup Reality49:00 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs & First-Time CISOs52:30 – One Signal Message to CISOs: Don’t Block Everything   Connect with the guests: Niek Waarbroek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niekwaarbroek/ Tycho Klessens:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tycho-klessens-a215abb7/ Learn more about Florbs: https://florbs.io Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.comAll channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Seemant Sehgal, founder and CEO of Breachlock, one of the fastest-growing offensive security companies in the world. Seemant’s journey took him from a small town in Northern India to leading global cybersecurity teams at ING Bank, before founding a startup that’s now active in over 20 countries. At Breachlock, Seemant is rethinking how offensive security is done. His platform combines automation, AI, and human-led red teaming to deliver scalable Pen Testing as a Service (PTaaS) that addresses the growing inefficiencies of traditional penetration testing. Seemant has built a globally distributed company operating in over 20 countries, while staying close to the ground truth of cyber operations and keeping his team deeply connected to the challenges that security teams face every day. In this episode, we cover: Building a global cyber career without a linear path Lessons from running cybersecurity at ING Bank The inefficiencies of traditional pen testing Starting BreachLock with automation and AI at the core Launching Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV) Balancing AI and human expertise in offensive security Leading a remote team across 20+ countries Hiring for culture and alignment, not just skills How to sell cyber risk to non-technical stakeholders Message to all CISOs Whether you're scaling a security startup, running a blue team, or navigating board-level cyber strategy, this episode delivers hard-earned insights from someone who's seen the full lifecycle, technical, strategic, and entrepreneurial. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:10 – Growing Up in Northern India 03:25 – Starting Out in Ethical Hacking at IBM 06:10 – From Defense to Offense: Career at ING Bank 09:00 – Identifying the Pain Points of Traditional Pentesting 11:30 – Founding BreachLock: Automating What Matters 15:40 – What is Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV)? 19:20 – Scaling with AI, But Keeping It Human 23:45 – Managing a Remote-First Global Team 26:30 – Hiring Philosophy: Look for Disagreement and Culture Fit 30:15 – Translating Cyber Risk for the C-Suite 33:00 – Staying Grounded: Lessons from Building Profitably 36:20 – Advice to Future Founders & Security Leaders 39:00 – Final Message to all CISO’s Connect with the guest:Seemant Sehgal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-sehgal/Learn more about Breachlock: https://www.breachlock.com/ Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.comAll channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Mischa van Geelen, one of the Netherlands’ most remarkable cybersecurity professionals. At just 13 years old, Mischa discovered a critical vulnerability at a major Dutch bank. By 15, he was the youngest full-time pen tester at a global consultancy. Now in his twenties, he’s already co-founded one of the top incident response firms in the country, served as TISO at leading payment institutions like iDEAL and European Payment Institute (EPI) and is gearing up to launch his next venture. Mischa’s story is anything but ordinary. A self-taught hacker turned security strategist, he shares candid insights into the realities of incident response, the pitfalls of “watermelon compliance,” and why cybersecurity must be treated as a business enabler, not a sunk cost. Whether it’s rebuilding a college’s IT infrastructure after a massive ransomware attack or scaling a startup from scratch, Mischa combines technical brilliance with rare clarity on communication, compliance, and leadership. In this episode, we cover: Discovering his first vulnerability at age 13 Interning at ABN AMRO while still in high school Joining a consultancy firm as a full-time pen tester at 15 Building and scaling an incident response company Inside stories from real-world cyberattacks Why most companies still don’t “get” compliance The burnout risk of incident responders His thoughts on AI, deepfakes, and the future of cybercrime Plans for his next cybersecurity venture Advice for aspiring ethical hackers and cyber entrepreneurs Whether you're a CISO, student, founder, or future threat analyst, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and honest reflections from someone who's lived cybersecurity from every angle and isn't done yet. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Finding His First Vulnerability at 13 04:20 – Interning at ABN AMRO 07:00 – Getting Misunderstood by the School System 09:40 – Joining a Consultancy as a Teenager 14:00 – Launching a Cybersecurity Company at 17 17:20 – Challenges of Managing Incident Response Teams 22:30 – Real-Life Ransomware Incidents 27:10 – The Reality of 24/7 Cyber Incident Response 31:45 – The Emotional Impact of Cybercrime 34:30 – Working with iDEAL & EPI 38:10 – AI Threats and the Rise of Deepfakes 42:00 – Watermelon Compliance & What’s Broken in Cyber 45:50 – Mischa’s Next Venture: Automating Real Compliance 49:20 – Communication as the Missing Skill in Cybersecurity 52:00 – Final Message to Global CISOs   Connect with the guest:Mischa van Geelen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickgeex/Learn more about Anovum: https://www.anovum.nl  Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.comAll channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Marco Riccardi, threat intelligence expert, startup founder, and the mind behind QuoIntelligence. From getting his first computer at age 7 to running cyber operations at Deutsche Bank and the European Central Bank, Marco’s journey is anything but linear. He’s built a deep-tech company protecting European infrastructure, all while fusing AI, geopolitics, and intelligence analysis into a single mission: safeguarding Europe’s digital future. Marco is the founder and CEO of QuoIntelligence, a fast-growing European scale-up tackling the growing need for context-aware threat intelligence. His roots lie in coding and hacking, but his vision is firmly set on building an intelligence powerhouse grounded in critical thinking, geopolitics, and predictive security. In this episode, he breaks down the gaps in the vendor market, why Europe needs its own intelligence solutions, and what it takes to scale a security company without losing its soul. We cover: Marco’s early obsession with computers and hacking His time in military psy-ops and its influence on his thinking Building threat intel teams at European Central Bank and Deutsche Bank Spotting the market gap that led to founding QuoIntelligence The rise of AI in cyber defense and offense Why most security teams fail at scaling His philosophy on intelligence, communication, and critical thinking Lessons from five years of building a remote-first startup The future of European cybersecurity Whether you’re a cyber leader, an aspiring threat analyst, or simply curious about how intelligence intersects with business, this episode offers a raw, honest, and insightful look into one of Europe’s most original cybersecurity minds. Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:00 – Meet Marco Riccardi04:00 – First Hacking Experiences at Age 1107:45 – From Military Psy-Ops to Cybersecurity11:30 – Moving to Barcelona & Malware Research16:00 – Career at ECB and Deutsche Bank21:15 – Why Europe Lacked Local Threat Intel Vendors25:30 – Intelligence as a Business Advantage30:00 – Building QuoIntelligence35:50 – Starting a Company During COVID39:30 – Lessons in Scaling: Hiring Mistakes & Culture44:00 – The Power of AI in Cybersecurity48:30 – What Threat Actors Are Doing with AI53:00 – Advice for Entering Threat Intelligence58:30 – Final Message to CISOs Worldwide Connect with the guest:Marco Riccardi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcoriccardi/Learn more about QuoIntelligence: https://www.quointelligence.eu Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.comAll channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we speak with Mahdi Abdulrazak, a cybersecurity leader, serial investor, and one of the most remarkable self-made minds in the field. He just left his CISO position SHV Energy, where he led a team of over 100 professionals, but his journey started much earlier as a refugee, a teenage hacker, and a relentless entrepreneur. Mahdi’s story spans continents, industries, and disciplines. Fluent in over 8 languages and driven by curiosity, he's not only built pioneering technology platforms but also invested in some of the most promising cybersecurity startups in Europe, including Hadrian and Workwise, and now his own venture Dawnguard. From building his first tech company in the early 2000s to mentoring the next generation of founders, Mahdi brings a rare blend of street smartness, deep technical insight, and philosophical clarity. After years witnessing how reactive cybersecurity slows innovation, Mahdi is building Dawnguard to make security-by-design the new default, shifting security left from day zero with the power of AI and automation. In this episode, we explore: How growing up in poverty sparked Mahdi’s hacker mindset His first steps into cybersecurity at age 15 Co-founding a platform ahead of its time in smart connectivity Investing in cybersecurity startups across Europe Why he always invests in people, not products Advice for professionals who want to become entrepreneurs How to deal with pressure and avoid burnout in security roles His vision for agentic AI, machine learning, and the future of cyber defense Mahdi speaks with striking honesty about risk, purpose, and what it means to truly contribute. Whether you’re a young professional, a seasoned CISO, or an aspiring founder, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:40 - Meet Mahdi Abdulrazak03:00 - From Warzone to Amsterdam07:20 - Hacking as a Form of Learning11:00 - Building a Tech Startup in the Early 2000s16:45 - Investment Philosophy: People over Products21:30 - Why Dutch Cyber Needs More Startups25:00 - Becoming CISO of SHV Energy29:15 - Handling Pressure & Avoiding Burnout33:50 - Advice for Cybersecurity Entrepreneurs37:40 - The Promise of Agentic AI in Cyber Defense41:00 - Leaving a Legacy & Staying Curious44:20 - Final Message to Global CISOs Connect with the guest:Mahdi Abdulrazak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahdiabdulrazak/Learn more about Dawnguard – www.dawnguard.ai Follow Cyber Security District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Fleur van Leusden, one of the most visible and respected voices in the Dutch cybersecurity landscape. Fleur is the current Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at a major Dutch government institution, but her work spans far beyond that. With a background in criminology and a career that began in law enforcement, Fleur has become a strategic advisor to the Dutch education system, a frequent keynote speaker, and the host of one of the most popular cybersecurity podcasts in the Netherlands: CISO Praat. Her journey from internet detective at the Dutch National Police to forensic analyst, consultant, and now solo CISO, reflects the evolution of the cybersecurity field itself. In this episode, we dive into: Her early fascination with law, forensics, and technology Life as an “internet detective” solving high-profile crimes How she transitioned into cybersecurity leadership What it’s like being a one-woman security department Why prioritization is the toughest part of a CISO’s job Managing burnout, pressure, and the “superhero complex” Advice for young professionals who want to follow in her footsteps Fleur shares honest, witty, and insightful reflections on the pressure CISOs face, how to let go of perfectionism, and why community support is crucial in this ever-changing field. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:30 - Meet Fleur van Leusden02:10 - Podcasting and Finding Her Voice05:00 - From Criminology to Cyber07:40 - Life as an Internet Detective13:00 - Joining the Dutch Forensic Institute17:12 - From Testing to Hacking21:35 - Becoming a (Bracketed) CISO25:00 - A Day in the Life of a CISO28:15 - Prioritization, Politics & Burnout34:20 - On Thick Skin, Flexibility & Boundaries38:52 - Community Support Among CISOs42:00 - Final Message to Global CISOs Connect with the guest:Fleur van Leusden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleur-%F0%9F%8E%99%F0%9F%A6%8A-van-leusden-356bb054/ Follow Cybersecurity District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with Dimitri van Zantvliet, one of the most respected CISOs in the Netherlands and the current Chief Information Security Officer at the Dutch Railway (NS). Dimitri’s career spans from electromechanical engineering on offshore rigs to becoming a national authority on cybersecurity, advising startups, governments, and international councils. He’s the co-founder of the Dutch CISO community, an angel investor, a public speaker, and Dutch ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI. Dimitri also serves on advisory boards such as TNO and the University of Amsterdam’s Leadership Academy, shaping the future of digital security on multiple levels. In this episode, we dive into: How Dimitri manages multiple leadership roles with purpose His early transition from engineering into cybersecurity Why public transport is a vital piece of national resilience NS’s approach to defending against state actors and activist threats What makes a strong CISO in today’s geopolitical climate The rise of responsible AI and why it matters now more than ever His advice for cybersecurity founders and next-gen professionals Dimitri shares powerful insights on threat intelligence, incident response, ethical AI, and the evolving role of CISOs in a world shaped by hybrid threats and rapid technological change. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:10 - Managing Multiple Roles04:17 - From Engineering to Cybersecurity06:54 - Leadership Lessons Learned10:14 - Importance of Certifications and Grit13:06 - Cybersecurity Challenges at NS17:20 - State Actors, NATO, and Public Transport Threats23:00 - What Makes a Great CISO28:09 - Responsible AI and Smart Cities30:38 - Investing in Startups and Supporting Founders34:45 - Tech Areas to Watch: Compliance, Anomaly Detection, AI Agents42:41 - Unlimited Resources: What He'd Solve First44:02 - Advice for Young Cybersecurity Professionals46:05 - A Final Message to CISOs Worldwide Connect with the guest:Dimitri van Zantvliet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanzantvliet/ Follow Cybersecurity District:Laurens Jagt (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Title: The Infrastructure Behind Smarter SOCs with VirtualMetric Founders | Cyber Security District Podcast Episode Description: In this episode of Cyber Security District, we sit down with the founders of VirtualMetric, one of Europe’s most promising scale-ups in the cybersecurity space. Meet Yusuf Öztürk, CTO and original brain behind the platform, and Jimmy Wind, CEO and commercial strategist who joined the company to accelerate growth and take it global. VirtualMetric started as a performance monitoring tool but made a smart pivot into cybersecurity, solving one of the biggest pain points for Security Operations Centers (SOCs): the skyrocketing cost and inefficiency of SIEM platforms like Microsoft Sentinel. In this episode, we dive into: How VirtualMetric evolved from IT monitoring to cybersecurity The cost-saving power of their security data pipeline Why Microsoft and MSSPs are embracing their solution Lessons in product-market fit, pivoting, and startup resilience Advice for first-time founders in cybersecurity Yusuf and Jimmy share practical insights on filtering and enriching telemetry data, how to reduce your SIEM bill by 70–80%, and why smart pre-processing is a must-have for every CISO. Key Takeaways: Pre-process your data before it hits your SIEM to save time and money Automation beats manual parsing every time Focus on solving real pain points, not changing behavior Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:12 - Meet the founders: Yusuf and Jimmy03:45 - The origins of VirtualMetric07:32 - Agentless monitoring and breakthrough compression11:16 - Pivoting into cybersecurity15:25 - Why current SIEM tools fall short18:50 - Deep integration with Microsoft Sentinel22:40 - How VirtualMetric slashes data ingest costs27:58 - The AI opportunity (and risk) in data pipelines34:02 - Scaling after investment41:21 - Advice for cybersecurity founders47:00 - Final message to global CISOs Connect with the guests: Jimmy Wind (CEO): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmywind/ Yusuf Öztürk (CTO): https://www.linkedin.com/in/yusufozturk87/ Follow Cybersecurity District: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ All channels & newsletter: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Welcome to another exciting episode of Cybersecurity District. Today, we're diving into a hot topic—cryptocurrency and cybersecurity—with none other than Jean-Paul de Jong, a partner at BlockFo and a seasoned expert in cyber investigations and blockchain security. With over 30 years of experience, Jean-Paul has worked with multinational enterprises, law enforcement, and intelligence organizations such as the British government and Europol. In 2018, he transitioned into the world of blockchain, where he now plays a key role in fighting cryptocurrency-related crimes. In this episode, we discuss: The mission of BlockFo in combating crypto crimes Real-life cases, including how Hamas funding was tracked using blockchain The challenges in recovering stolen crypto funds The future of cryptocurrency in corporate finance Tips for protecting your crypto investments Jean-Paul also shares his journey from traditional IT roles to becoming a leader in blockchain, offering invaluable insights for both experienced professionals and newcomers to the field. Key takeaways include the importance of hardware wallets, multi-factor authentication, and the growing demand for cybersecurity expertise in the blockchain industry. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:26) Jean-Paul de Jong’s background and experience(01:20) The mission of BlockFo(02:52) Challenges in resolving crypto crimes(05:06) Real-life case study: Tracking Hamas funding(08:07) Blockchain’s role in tracing transactions(14:23) Jean-Paul’s transition to blockchain(24:52) Cybersecurity for startups(34:36) The future of BlockFo and corporate crypto transactions(39:45) Tips for safeguarding your crypto(51:52) Final message to CISOs Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity.    Connect with us:  Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Jean-Paul De Jong LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanpauldejong/   Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/   Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Welcome to another episode of Cyber Security District, the podcast where we interview the most inspiring minds in the cybersecurity industry. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Brenno de Winter, a renowned journalist, public speaker, author, and cybersecurity expert. Brenno shares his fascinating career journey, starting from his early days as an IT professional, to his pivotal decision to become a journalist after the events of September 11th, 2001. He delves into his investigative journalism career, highlighting significant moments such as the DigiNotar hack and the impact of Edward Snowden's revelations. Currently working at the Ministry of Health, Sports, and Welfare in the Netherlands, Brenno discusses his role in developing the CoronaCheck-app and his ongoing efforts in the field of data protection and cybersecurity. He also shares valuable insights and tips for young professionals looking to make a mark in the industry. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(00:15) Welcoming Brenno de Winter(00:48) Brenno's early career in IT(03:09) Transition to journalism post-9/11(05:25) Impact of Edward Snowden's revelations(06:28) Changes in society post-9/11(08:39) Becoming a successful journalist(11:26) Memorable moments in investigative journalism(14:18) Early challenges in cybersecurity journalism(15:29) Europe's approach to data protection(20:04) Transition back to cybersecurity(25:40) Role at the Ministry of Health and the CoronaCheck-app(29:09) Future plans and OpenKAT project(33:51) Tips for young professionals in cybersecurity(36:57) Final thoughts and message to CISOs   Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Brenno De Winter on LinkedIn: Brenno de Winter Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Welcome to another insightful episode of Cybersecurity District! 🎙️ In this episode, host Laurens sits down with Roelof Kroon, the Corporate Information Security Officer (CISO) at Alfen. With over 25 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry, Roelof shares his journey from starting as an engineer to climbing the corporate ladder to become a CISO. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: Transitioning from engineering to a leadership role The importance of adapting skill sets in cybersecurity Alfen's role in the electronics and energy sector The impact of regulations like NIS2 on the industry Balancing IT and OT security in a corporate environment The evolving threat landscape and the importance of being prepared The significance of soft skills and teamwork in crisis management Advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals Roelof also delves into the challenges and rewards of being a CISO and the importance of collaboration within the ecosystem.  Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction (00:28) - Roelof Kroon's career journey (02:08) - Alfen's business and products (04:03) - The impact of regulations on cybersecurity (06:04) - Balancing IT and OT security (10:23) - Keeping the team motivated (13:11) - Tools and frameworks for threat analysis (15:05) - The implications of AI in cybersecurity (18:05) - Security risks in the growth of EV charging stations (22:24) - The most rewarding aspects of being a CISO (25:51) - Tips for aspiring cybersecurity professionals (29:50) - The importance of soft skills in crisis management (34:09) - Handling major security incidents (38:01) - Final thoughts and advice for young professionals Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity. Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Roelof Kroon on LinkedIn: Roelof Kroon Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Welcome to another exciting episode of Cybersecurity District, the podcast where we interview the most inspiring minds in the cybersecurity industry. In this episode, we sit down with a seasoned cyber entrepreneur, Ed MacNair. He has has been in the industry for over 25 years and has successfully sold two companies. Currently, he's building his third venture, CensorNet, which aims to revolutionize cybersecurity for SMBs. This episode dives deep into Ed's journey, his insights on the evolution of cybersecurity, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the field. Key Takeaways: The evolution of cybersecurity from antivirus to complex threats like ransomware and nation-state attacks. The importance of having a strong team and mentors in your entrepreneurial journey. How to identify the right moment to sell your company and ensure it's beneficial for employees, shareholders, and yourself. The challenges and opportunities in serving the SMB sector with effective cybersecurity solutions. The future of cybersecurity, including the role of AI and the growing importance of privacy. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction01:02 - Evolution of Cybersecurity Threats02:31 - Pivotal Moments in Cybersecurity04:06 - Entrepreneurial Journey with Marshal07:43 - Advice for Aspiring Cyber Entrepreneurs10:54 - Turning Around Marshall13:15 - Valuation and the Stress of Selling a Business15:01 - The Genesis of Censornet20:27 - Building a Winning Team22:45 - Winning Team and Future Ventures Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity. Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Ed MacNair on LinkedIn: Ed MacNair Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In this episode of Cyber Security District, Laurens Jagt interviews Carlo Schreurs, the visionary CISO at Friesland Campina, a global dairy company. With over 25 years of experience in technology leadership, Carlo shares insights into his journey as a CISO and the cybersecurity transformation he leads across 33 countries. Throughout the conversation, Carlo discusses his background in aeronautical engineering, his transition into cybersecurity, and the challenges faced in protecting a company with over 23,000 employees. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the cybersecurity industry and shares his approach to setting priorities and managing incidents. Key Topics Discussed: Carlo shares his career journey from aeronautical engineering to cybersecurity leadership. The importance of collaboration and sharing information in the cybersecurity industry. Insights into the cybersecurity challenges faced by a global dairy company like Friesland Campina. Carlo's approach to setting priorities and managing incidents in a large organization. The role of a CISO in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity resilience. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Carlo Schreurs 01:09 - Carlo Schreurs' Background and Career Journey 08:18 - Transition to CISO Role at Friesland Campina 09:02 - First Year as CISO at Friesland Campina 09:55 - Cybersecurity Collaboration and Events 11:05 - Challenges in Cybersecurity for Dairy Industry 14:43 - Setting Priorities and Dealing with Incidents 33:42 - Importance of Resilience in Cybersecurity 43:31 - Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals 45:02 - Role of CISOs in Educating Boards on Cybersecurity Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity. Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Carlo Schreurs on LinkedIn: Charlo Schreurs Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Welcome to another episode of Cybersecurity District, the podcast where we interview the most inspiring minds in the cybersecurity industry. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Irfaan Santoe, the ex-CISO at Aegon, one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands with over 15,000 employees worldwide. Irfaan brings over 15 years of experience in the cybersecurity field, having held various leadership positions at ABN Amro Bank, Wolters Kluwer, and VGZ. He is also a public speaker and the chapter leader for OWASP Netherlands. In this insightful conversation, Irfaan shares his journey from studying artificial intelligence to becoming a CISO, his personal transformation journey, and his unique approach to balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. Key Topics Discussed: Irfaan's career path and leadership roles in cybersecurity The concept of "Inner Engineer" and personal fulfillment The evolution and application of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity The importance of mentorship and how to find the right mentors Strategies for effective decision-making and prioritization as a CISO The role of mindfulness and energy management in professional life Episode Highlights: (00:00) - Introduction to Cybersecurity District Podcast (00:00) - Guest Introduction: Irfaan Santoe (00:47) - Irfaan's Career Journey (02:30) - Irfaan's Role as Inner Engineer (06:04) - Conscious Decision Making (10:50) - Studying Artificial Intelligence (15:23) - Mentorship and Career Focus (33:29) - Advice for Young Professionals   Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity. Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Irfaan Santoe on LinkedIn: Irfaan Santoe Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

Join host Laurens Jagt on the Cyber Security District Podcast for an enlightening conversation with Hans Ijkel, the General Manager of Cyber Defense at Shell. With over two decades of experience in IT audit, risk management, and cybersecurity, Hans shares invaluable insights into the transformation of cyber defense, the pivotal role of creativity, and the impact of geopolitics on cybersecurity strategies. In this episode, we explore Hans Ijkel's career journey, his perspectives on the challenges in the cybersecurity field, and his forward-looking views on the role of AI in cyber defense. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional or just keen to learn more about this critical field, this discussion will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction to Hans Ijkel's Career 05:30 - Hans Ijkel's Interest in Cybersecurity 11:37 - Hans Ijkel's Mistake During a Pen Test 13:22 - Challenges of Setting Up Threat Management and Cyber Defense 22:00 - Challenges of Managing a Global Team 25:48 - Discussion on Threat Actors and Vulnerabilities in the Supply Chain 32:35 - Importance of Curiosity and Technical Expertise in Team Building 37:40 - Balancing Geopolitics and Cybersecurity 43:25 - Handling Cybersecurity Threats in Geopolitical Conflicts 46:36 - Achievements and Future Goals in Cyber Defense 47:58 - Future of Cybersecurity and AI Integration Don't miss this engaging and insightful conversation. Tune in to learn from one of the leading minds in cybersecurity. Connect with us: Laurens Jagt on LinkedIn: Laurens Jagt Hans Ijkel on LinkedIn: Hans Ijkel Visit our website: https://www.cybersecuritydistrict.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us here: https://beacons.ai/cybersecuritydistrict

In today's episode, we talk with Paul Moreno, who currently works as CISO at Catawiki. Before Catawiki Paul, worked for the biggest tech giants in the world such as Pinterest, Uber, or Adyen and witnessed the rise of Silicon Valley in San Francisco firsthand. In this episode we talked about the integration of AI in security orchestration and response, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive cybersecurity education for all and the pivotal role of government and privacy laws in ensuring digital safety. To end on a lighter note, Paul wishes everyone to work on things that make them happy and shares valuable insights for everyone getting starting with their #cybercareers.  Get in contact with Paul:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/unic0rn/ Timecodes:  (00:00) - AI for Security Orchestration and Response (12:07) - Rise of Silicon Valley  (18:10) - Pinterest, Uber, Adyen (25:11) - CISO at Catawiki  (32:34) - Personal and Professional Happiness

In this insightful episode of Cyber Security Talks, Laurens Jagt sits down with cybersecurity veteran Richard de Vries, an author, blogger, and public speaker with three decades of experience. We explore Richard's unique view on cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, communication, and the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. Richard de Vries shares his journey from hacking games to becoming a cybersecurity expert, emphasizing on resilience and continuous learning. He discusses his pandemic-era blogging and experiences as an author.  Additionally, Richard explores the transformative role of AI and GPT in cybersecurity, advocating for organizational cultural changes and the importance of embracing technology for effective threat management and a more secure digital future.   Timestamps:  (00:20) Richard de Vries narrates his evolution from an accountant to a cybersecurity expert, emphasizing the role of curiosity in his career. (08:41) He discusses his contributions to cybersecurity knowledge through book writing and blogging, highlighting the impact of AI and GPT technologies. (17:45) Richard explores AI's role in cybersecurity, focusing on strategies for preparation, prevention, detection, and response. (25:15) He advises on understanding personal influence in cybersecurity and the importance of trusting technology to lessen workload. (33:15) The episode concludes with insights into creating adaptable network infrastructures and the necessity of continuous learning for digital safety.

In this episode, we're diving into an inspiring tale of transformation with Kevin Valk, who went from hacker to cyber security pro, and then jumped headfirst into the startup world. We’ll get the scoop on how Codean came to life, emphasizing its remote-only culture and the role of automation and enhanced UX in empowering security experts. Towards the end, they also touch upon how a methodical approach to problem-solving can be a game-changer in both securing the digital space and winning at life.

In this episode, we're privileged to have Rishalin Pillay, Principal Consultant - Red Team at Google, to peel back the layers on cybersecurity's most secretive domain: red teaming. From exploring Rishalin's early hacking days in South Africa to his latest venture at Google, we delve deep into the trenches of digital warfare. Chapters:  (03:15) - Red Teams Unveiled Understanding the true role of red teams in cybersecurity. (06:30) -  Rishalin's Journey From hacking as a teen in South Africa to professional roles at Mandiant and Microsoft. (16:21) - Cyber Threat Landscape Discussing client diversity, state actors, and project challenges. (19:15) - Cloud & Customers Debunking cloud safety myths and addressing customer attitudes. (34:50) - The Google Era Rishalin's move to Google, interview process, and cybersecurity approach.   Find out more about Rishalin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishalinpillay/   Hacking Google Challenge:  https://h4ck1ng.google/

On this episode of Cyber Security Talks, Laurens Jagt sits down with Hugo van den Toorn, the CISO of one of the most renowned Dutch companies - variety chain HEMA.  This action-packed episode covers everything from social engineering exercises in banks, hacking into an airport, and his take on the term "red teaming". Hugo also shares leadership lessons, challenges at HEMA, and career advice for the next generation. A must-listen for real-world cybersecurity insights!

Join us on Cyber Security Talks as our host Laurens Jagt welcomes special guest Lalit Bhakuni, VP Enterprise IT Security & Head of Active Cyber Defense of Volvo.  This episode provides a deep dive into cybersecurity's evolving landscape, starting with an exploration of cyber attacks, threat detection and the role of ethics in cybersecurity. We also talked about insider risks in large organizations, the complexities of threat detection versus threat hunting and the growing importance of predictive analytics in active cyber defense.  This episode is a must for anyone looking to comprehensively understand modern cybersecurity challenges and strategies.

Join Laurens Jagt as he dives into a fascinating discussion with Vaisha Bernard, Chief Hacker and Co-Owner of Eye Security. Vaisha starts from his early career, touching on his impactful stint with the intelligence service that shaped his trajectory of building Eye Security.  Hear about the challenges and opportunities the Covid-19 pandemic brought, the impact of a 17 million Euro investment, and their decision to stop their consultancy services. Vaisha also shares his advice for the younger generation interested in Cyber Security, touching upon imposter syndrome and the importance of investing more in detection and response rather than just prevention.

In this episode, Laurens Jagt sat down with Wim Hafkamp to chat about all things cybersecurity.  From setting up the first-ever Cyber Security Department at AkzoNobel in the 90’s, to becoming the global CISO of Rabobank, and even visiting the White House about national security issues. Wim's career is packed with "WOW" moments, and currently Wim the Managing Director at the Z-CERT, a non for profit organization, designed to protect the Dutch Health Care Sector This episode is full of great stories, hard-learned lessons, and insider information from Wim's exciting journey.

In episode one of Cyber Security Talks Podcast's third season, we uncover the revolutionary field of Zero Trust security with Zero Trust Architect and expert Jacky Willems.   Learn about his transition from private to governmental roles, his perspective on cyber security recruitment, and the move towards cloud-based systems. Gain entrepreneurial insights for cyber security careers and learn how to identify passion during recruitment, all while exploring the importance of Zero Trust Architecture in modern cyber security. A must-listen for anyone interested in staying ahead of the rapidly evolving cybersecurity sector.   Find more out more about the Zero Trust Collective:  https://watchmen.io/   Find out more about Cyber Security Recruitment  https://csrecruitment.nl/

In this episode, we talk to Olaf Hartong, one of the founders of Falcon Force. We talk about shifting careers and comfort zones and how he made the shift from a safe IT job into photography and then finally into cyber security. Olaf started out his career in the IT industry and shifted careers for the first time to seek his passion in photography and then later on ended up in the cyber security industry which then ultimately lead him to founding Falcon Force after leaving one of the Big4 consultancies.  We discuss his special founding story of Falcon Force, how photography helps him with carrying out his job as a founder and why it is important to be more truthful to your own board of directors.    Find out more about Olaf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafhartong/ https://olafhartong.nl

Today we had the pleasure of talking to Cyber Security and Privacy evangelist  - Jort Kollerie. Jort is a seasoned professional who is currently Manager of Security Architecture & Security Services at Orange Cyberdefense. In this episode, we talked about his evangelist role, the ever-evolving threat landscape, his management style and why there should be no competition between cyber security companies.   Find out more about Jort:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jortkol/ https://jort.kollerie.info/

We are back with an exciting episode with  Manuel Garat, Head of Identity and Access Management at Booking.com. In this episode, we talk about his three passions: IT Engineering, Cyber Security and Agile Product delivery as well as his unconventional way into cyber security, how access management is done in multi-nationals and upcoming challenges to fight cyber crime.  Find out more about Manuel Garat:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-garat-loureiro-a19aa840/ https://twitter.com/manuelgarat

Today we switch it up and instead of interviewing an exciting start-up or company from the Cyber Security Industry, we take a look behind the scenes with Reinout vander Meulen who is in charge of the Dutch Security TechFund for TIIN Capital on how investment decisions are made to find the next unicorn in the industry. In this episode we talked about his start-up experience, the similarities of aerospace and cyber security and his vision of scouting the next unicorn in the Cyber Security space.   Find out more about Reinout:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinout-vander-meulen-4b24681/ https://tiincapital.nl/en/dutch-security-techfund/

In this week's episode, we had the honor of welcoming the founder of Hadrian - Rogier Fischer and Oliver Beg to the podcast. Hadrian is a hacker-led cybersecurity startup that offers automated security insights through its AI-driven testing SaaS platform, which recently secured €10.5M in an unsolicited seed round. In this episode, we talked about the seed funds for Hadrian, hacking stories with Kim Kardashian and the importance of autonomous technology in the cyber security landscape.   Find out more about Hadrian:  https://hadrian.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogierfischer/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivierbeg/

Feliks Voskoboynik, CISO of the A.S Watson Group joined us on the Cyber Security Talks Podcast to talk about his childhood dream to become a FBI agent, the importance of teamwork in cyber security and why security specialists have to come up with a better story to get buy-in within the organization than instilling fear. A powerful and entertaining episode with fun anecdotes and practical tips for all industry experts.

This is the first Cyber Security Talks episode with a CISO on our microphone and not any CISO, but the CISO of the Dutch Cancer Institute - Joost Boele. We talked about his impressive career that started with researching cancer cells as part of his PHD program, to later on fully indulging into the cyber security space in which he left his mark in many organizations until he joined the Dutch Cancer Institute as a CISO. An impressive career with many twists and turns - but never without fun and a challenge.

In this episode we switched sides and our virtual assistant Kendra asks the questions to our host Laurens Jagt. We look back on the first season of Cyber Security Talks to highlight the main learnings, how the cyber security industry can improve and a look into the future of the cyber security labour market. We are back with season two shortly. If you haven't done it yet, please subscribe to the podcast and keep an eye out for our socials for more updates in the cyber security industry.    More about the Guardianship:  https://guardianship.nl https://csrecruitment.nl https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/

In this episode we spoke with Shairesh Algoe, the CISO at TM-Pro and advisor of the Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure. The first CISO in our podcast spoke about his move to the Netherlands to become a CISO, instead of pursuing a career as a heart surgeon. Yet, he has not forgotten his passion for medicine and throughout the conversation he often compares the underlying parallels between our immune system and cyber security. With all his experience in the field he shares insights on product development with a hacker mindset, tips for other CISO's and what he means with the infinite game in cyber security.  More about Shairesh:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaireshalgoe/ TM-Pro: https://tm-pro.eu/ DIVD: https://www.divd.nl

In our latest episode we talked with the National Security Officer of Microsoft - Jelle Niemantsverdriet. We spoke about the human factor in cyber security, his surprising hiring criteria's of young cyber professionals, how companies can prepare for security incidents and the impact of a cyber attack that goes beyond the online world.   More about Jelle:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelleniemantsverdriet/

In this episode we had the pleasure of talking to Melanie Rieback, the CEO of Radically Open Security. During the episode we talked with the award-winning computer scientist, about how she started the world’s first non-profit computer security consultancy company, her involvement in the Human Genome Project at MIT, her world-renowned RFID publication "Is Your Cat Infected with a Computer Virus?" and many useful tips for all (future) founders.    How to get in touch with Melanie Rieback:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrieback/ More information about Radically Open Security https://www.radicallyopensecurity.com/ More Information on the Post Growth Incubator:  https://nonprofit.ventures/

In this episode we are joined by true authority of the cybersecurity industry - Bert Heitink. In the past 20 years, he has helped numerous multinationals to set up their security operation. Bert talked with us about how the industry has changed over the years, explaining what is it like to run your own cyber security company and how people can be more conscious about their privacy.    OTHER USEFUL LINKS: Linkedin Bert Heitink: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertheitink/ Cyber Mentor homepage: https://cybermentor.nl

In this episode we interviewed the young self-starter Santiago Aragón, who is currently working as a tech lead for XLINQ. Before that, he started up several companies, worked across different countries and cultures and wrote well-known industry publications. Join us on this exciting talk with lots of funny anecdotes and exciting war stories.    Useful links:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-aragon/ https://hellomentor.nl https://xlinq.io

In this episode we had the CTO of Anvil Secure, Vincent Berg at our microphones. Anvil Secure is a boutique information security firm that helps the largest technology companies in the world. In the podcast we talked about his early beginnings in the security field, angry German developers, the kitchen table idea in Mexico and why humans are more important than technology.    Show Notes & Links:  (01:17) - What you need to know about me: In this segment we introduce Vincent with our special quick questions.  (03:52) - The beginnings:  At the age of 12 Vincent started to indulge in the world of computers which was the beginnings of an impressive career so far. After his first steps in the security field, he studied computer science in Twente. During his masters degree he received a life changing phone call that got him his first job at Microsoft and from there his career took off with his first job in the US.  (15:54) - Humans over technology: From his first job alone with a big German client to his early realisations, that as a consultant you need to take care of the humans first and only then working on fixing the technology. This chapter is all about his work philosophy.  (22:10) - This is Anvil Secure: Vincent describes how his co-founder and himself created the idea of Anvil Secure at a kitchen table in Mexico and how it became an open and transparent company where all employees get shares in the companies' success. We also talked how Anvil Secure started, the unique selling points - especially on the human level and why Elon Musk from Tesla would be his absolute dream client.  (38:12) - Talent over certifications: In an industry where certifications are an important indication of skill, Vincent takes a different approach and hires people with the right skill-set regardless of their certifications, except it is specially required from some of his clients.  (40:49) - My greatest hack: While working with a client, Vincent created a proof of concept for a client that produced smart meters. In this process he used google maps to create an exciting proof of concept, to determine what people looked on google maps as part of a traffic analysis, which he was later invited to speak about at a conference in Australia.  OTHER USEFUL LINKS: Linkedin Vincent Berg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-berg/ Anvil Secure homepage: https://www.anvilsecure.com

In this episode we are joined by Eward Driehuis the founder of 3Eyes. We talked about his impressive career moves from the “dawn of the Internet” in the 90’s to working with the biggest tech companies worldwide, his learnings and achievements and his view on the future of the cyber security market.    Show Notes & Links:  (01:16) - What you need to know about me: In this segment we introduce Eward with our special quick questions.  (02:10) - The beginnings: Eward shares how he got started to get interested in cyber security. While not finishing his undergrad studies and in need of a job, he got his first job as a beta tester for a software company where his passion for computers and software really started. (11:10) - The career milestones: From Fox IT to Secure Link and countless titles such as Chief Research Officer, Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer we zoom in how he achieved these impressive career milestones and reflect on his biggest achievements, plus first hand information of what is his next career move.  (21:21) - The orange cyber army: A very interesting discussion why so many worldwide tech companies trust Dutch cyber security specialists and what Max Verstappen meme has to do with it.  (37:15) - The future of cyber security: Eward talks about his vision of the cyber security markets and what companies can do to prevent cyber attacks or ransomware to happen before it even begins as well as what young starters need to    Other useful links: Connect with Eward Driehuis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewarddriehuis/ 3EYES homepage: https://www.3esec.com Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure: https://www.divd.nl