Insights from the NATO Summit in The Hague, with CISOs from NS, Haarlemmermeer, Air France-KLM, and Schiphol
A rare behind-the-scenes look at digital defence at the highest stakes.
The NATO summit in The Hague brought together world leaders, thousands of delegates, and a global spotlight on security — all in one location. But behind the scenes, another battlefield was in full operation: the digital one. How do you secure infrastructure, logistics, communication, and reputation during an event that sits squarely in the sights of cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors?
In this unique panel discussion, four leading CISOs — directly involved in the preparation and execution of the NATO summit — share what it really takes to digitally secure an event of this magnitude. Expect candid reflections on high-level threats, decision-making under pressure, and coordination with critical partners like the Ministry of Defence and the Dutch NCSC.
Cybersecurity: Threat & Defense at the Highest Level
The NATO summit in The Hague became a magnet for cyber threats. From sophisticated phishing campaigns and DDoS attacks to targeted espionage attempts by nation-states, the risk was anything but theoretical.
How do you deal with this level of threat? What tools, monitoring systems, and crisis frameworks proved essential? And how do you build cyber resilience for a target of global significance?
Business Challenges: Continuity, Responsibility, and Pressure
A NATO summit creates extreme pressure on systems, people, and decision-making. How do CISOs translate risk into action under intense political and public scrutiny?
What does such an event demand in terms of internal governance, board-level support, and balancing investments in digital security? The panelists share how they prepared their organizations for the unexpected — without grinding daily operations to a halt.
Collaboration with Other Stakeholders: One Digital Coalition
From NS to Schiphol, from the municipality of Haarlemmermeer to Air France-KLM, the entire ecosystem had to work in lockstep with partners like the Ministry of Defence, the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), law enforcement, international delegations, and CERTs.
How do you ensure effective coordination, mutual trust, and secure information sharing in a high-stakes environment where miscommunication is not an option? What worked — and what didn’t — during the NATO summit in The Hague?
Panelists
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Dennis van Dijk, CISO at Municipality of Haarlemmermeer
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Tako Huisman, CISO at Air France-KLM
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Hedzer Komduur, CISO at Schiphol
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Dimitri van Zantvliet, CISO at NS
Moderator
Dave Maasland, CEO of ESET Netherlands, widely known as the “cyber guy” who makes digital security both understandable and urgent.
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