From Criminology to Cybersecurity Leadership with Fleur van Leusden

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 - Introduction 00:30 - Meet Fleur van Leusden 02:10 - Podcasting and Finding Her Voice 05:00 - From Criminology to Cyber 07:40 - Life as an Internet Detective 13:00 - Joining the Dutch Forensic Institute 17:12 - From Testing to Hacking 21:35 - Becoming a (Bracketed) CISO 25:00 - A Day in the Life of a CISO 28:15 - Prioritization, Politics & Burnout 34:20 - On Thick Skin, Flexibility & Boundaries 38:52 - Community Support Among CISOs 42:00 - 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 - Introduction 01:10 - Managing Multiple Roles 04:17 - From Engineering to Cybersecurity 06:54 - Leadership Lessons Learned 10:14 - Importance of Certifications and Grit 13:06 - Cybersecurity Challenges at NS 17:20 - State Actors, NATO, and Public Transport Threats 23:00 - What Makes a Great CISO 28:09 - Responsible AI and Smart Cities 30:38 - Investing in Startups and Supporting Founders 34:45 - Tech Areas to Watch: Compliance, Anomaly Detection, AI Agents 42:41 - Unlimited Resources: What He'd Solve First 44:02 - Advice for Young Cybersecurity Professionals 46:05 - 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 - Introduction 01:12 - Meet the founders: Yusuf and Jimmy 03:45 - The origins of VirtualMetric 07:32 - Agentless monitoring and breakthrough compression 11:16 - Pivoting into cybersecurity 15:25 - Why current SIEM tools fall short 18:50 - Deep integration with Microsoft Sentinel 22:40 - How VirtualMetric slashes data ingest costs 27:58 - The AI opportunity (and risk) in data pipelines 34:02 - Scaling after investment 41:21 - Advice for cybersecurity founders 47:00 - 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 - Introduction 01:02 - Evolution of Cybersecurity Threats 02:31 - Pivotal Moments in Cybersecurity 04:06 - Entrepreneurial Journey with Marshal 07:43 - Advice for Aspiring Cyber Entrepreneurs 10:54 - Turning Around Marshall 13:15 - Valuation and the Stress of Selling a Business 15:01 - The Genesis of Censornet 20:27 - Building a Winning Team 22:45 - 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