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 - Introduction
00:30 - Meet Fleur van Leusden
02:10 - Podcasting and Finding Her Voice
05:00 - From Criminology to Cyber
07:40 - Life as an Internet Detective
13:00 - Joining the Dutch Forensic Institute
17:12 - From Testing to Hacking
21:35 - Becoming a (Bracketed) CISO
25:00 - A Day in the Life of a CISO
28:15 - Prioritization, Politics & Burnout
34:20 - On Thick Skin, Flexibility & Boundaries
38:52 - Community Support Among CISOs
42:00 - 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