The Randstad, Netherlands
Personal account. Views are my own. I am the CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NL), where I lead our mission to strengthen the digital resilience of the Netherlands. With over two decades of experience in cybercrime investigation, crisis leadership, and international collaboration, I bring both technical expertise and strategic vision to the complex challenges of cybersecurity. My career began in 2001 as a digital forensic investigator at the Dutch National Police, where I worked on some of the earliest large-scale hacking cases. I later became Head of the Team High Tech Crime, leading groundbreaking international operations such as the Endgame takedown and the dismantling of global botnets. These experiences taught me the value of creativity, trust in experts, and cross-border cooperation. At the NCSC, I focus on three pillars: • Understanding – rapidly analyzing threats and vulnerabilities. • Connecting – building bridges between government, vital sectors, and international partners. • Preventing – ensuring that lessons learned translate into stronger resilience and future-proof defenses. I believe that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue but a leadership challenge. Organizations must know their “crown jewels,” take responsibility at the board level, and invest in resilience rather than relying solely on enforcement. My leadership style is people-centered: empowering experts, fostering collaboration, and keeping the team focused on the mission, especially in times of crisis. References & Interviews • Digitale Overheid – Leadership in a crisis (2025) digitaleoverheid.nl • BNR De Grote Tech Show – More cyberattacks and hacktivism expected around NATO summit (2025) bnr.nl • NPO Radio 1 – Qakbot botnet dismantled thanks to Dutch police (2023) nporadio1.nl • WNL – Large-scale cyberattacks on the Netherlands are a wake-up call (2024) wnl.tv • The Record – Hansa Market takedown (2017) therecord.media • Wall Street Journal – European police aim to keep young hackers from slipping into cybercrime (2022) wsj.com • RSA Conference – Speaker profile rsaconference.com
We are the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC-NL). As experts, we are working on a cyber secure Netherlands. The digital infrastructure is vitally important: to payment services, clean tap water and flood prevention. We understand the vulnerabilities and threats in the digital domain. We identify and clarify risks and trends. The knowledge that we accumulate is widely accessible. We connect parties, knowledge and information. As a government organisation, we are the linchpin in a network of national and international partners. We prevent social damage and mitigate threats. We provide expert support and advice. Our investigations, analyses and products provide an immediate action framework. We are on standby 24/7 in case of a crisis. We do not do so on our own. Through collaboration, we add value in all of these areas. By being reliable and effective, we are facilitating the digital resilience of the Netherlands step by step. Together, we are making the Netherlands more cyber secure. The NCSC forms part of the Ministry of Justice and Security.
Head of the Dutch National Hi-Tech Crime Unit
Team leader, Team Digital Forensic Investigations
Organized in cooperation with DataExpert and the Attorney General’s Office of Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the BES-islands