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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.
Securing the Dutch Railway (NS) with Dimitri van Zantvliet | Cyber Security District Podcast
Cyber Security District
46 minutes
6 months ago
Securing the Dutch Railway (NS) with Dimitri van Zantvliet | Cyber Security District Podcast
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
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.
