The year’s event, organized in collaboration with the Dutch Security Chapters of OWASP, ISACA, ISC2, and the Secure Software Alliance (SSA), built on the success of last year’s debut. It featured insightful presentations and fresh perspectives from cybersecurity experts and authors Mark Butterhoff, Ramses Sloeserwij, Ali Abdollahi, Geert Baudewijns, and Brenno de Winter, who shared their invaluable expertise. Eight lucky attendees even went home with books from the featured authors.
Key takeaways from the authors
Mark Butterhoff – Digital Security Leadership
Mark emphasized that digital security is more than just technology. It’s about integrating People, Process & Technology. He outlined four critical success factors for leadership in cybersecurity:
- Management & Board commitment
- Creating a security-sware culture
- Leadership quality at the top
- Cultivating lessons learned
Ramses Sloeserwij – Code Rood (Code Red)
Ramses highlighted that cyberwarfare is here to stay. He stressed the importance of never underestimate your opponent or overestimating your own defenses. Security is a process, not a product, and staying informed about sector developments is vital.
Ali Abdollahi – A Beginner’s Guide to Web Application Penetration Testing
Ali pointed out that reconnaissance is the most critical step in penetration testing.
Geert Baudewijns – Negotiating in the Dark
Geert shared that when negotiating with cybercriminals, trust is everything. He reminded the audience to always verify they’re communicating with the right hacker.
Brenno de Winter – De Validatiecrisis (The Validation Crisis)
Brenno addressed the increasing risks associated with making decisions based on insufficient data validation, especially as AI and automated decision-making continue to rise. His message: validate and secure your data!
Thank you
A huge thank you to the authors, attendees, and sponsor Security Academy for helping make this event such a success. We look forward to seeing you again at future events!
Learn, grow and connect
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