The interview podcast for cyber security professionals and for those who aspire to become one. We interview industry experts about the latest trends, real life war stories and everything you need to know about this exciting industry.
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The interview podcast for cyber security professionals and for those who aspire to become one. We interview industry experts about the latest trends, real life war stories and everything you need to know about this exciting industry.
From Criminology to Cybersecurity Leadership with Fleur van Leusden
Cyber Security District
49 minutes
4 months ago
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 - 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
Cyber Security District
The interview podcast for cyber security professionals and for those who aspire to become one. We interview industry experts about the latest trends, real life war stories and everything you need to know about this exciting industry.
