Kay Behnke (Genmab): “Lessons from building three global security teams”

Kay Behnke (Genmab): “Lessons from building three global security teams”

In this episode of re:invent security, hosts Jeroen Prinse and Irfaan Santoe sit down with Kay Behnke, CISO at Genmab. Kay has built security organizations in three very different global companies: NXP, FrieslandCampina, and Genmab. Spanning tech, food, and life sciences. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience, he reflects on how building a security team has evolved over time and what’s stayed the same. Together, they unpack what it really takes to design security functions that scale, how to balance culture and compliance across geographies, and the hard lessons learned from doing it three times. Whether you’re starting your first security organization or rethinking a mature one, this candid conversation offers timeless insights into the craft of building teams that endure and adapt. Tune in and ask yourself: What will you do differently tomorrow? Chapters: 00:00 - 00:47 - Intro snippets 00:48 - 02:59 – Introduction of the episode and Kay 03:00 - 07:38 – How has Kay seen the reinvention of security during two decades? 07:39 - 11:27 – What was it like building a security organization two decades ago? 11:28 - 14:37 – What is the difference in building security organizations in three different industries? 14:38 - 17:48 – What is one thing you would recommend doing when changing industries? 17:49 - 21:15 – How did company culture Kay’s security approach? 21:16 - 24:43 – Is local presence needed for execution on the security program? 24:44 - 30:22 – What is the first role or capability you would start with? 30:23 - 33:58 — A security leader should listen to the needs of others 33:59 - 37:53 – How did the way boards act in the last 20 years? 37:54 - 41:08 – You need to understand the business and its processes. 41:09 - 46:03 – Key takeaways Irfaan and Jeroen 46:04 - 47:03 - Outro Resources & Mentions: CISO Mind Map - https://rafeeqrehman.com/wp- content/uploads/2025/03/CISO_MindMap_2025.pdf Daniel Pink 'Drive' - Dan Pink is one of my favorite authors who pushes you to look into the mirror; this is a book that you wanted to read at the begin of your career Peter Hinssen 'The Uncertainty Principle' - another favorite author of me; there are several keynotes on YouTube (he probably holds the world record in slides per minute) and well known by "The New Normal" this book is about the future and how we can and need to deal with uncertainty and disruption Daniel Kahneman 'Thinking Fast and Slow' - for everyone who is building a security awareness campaign a MUST read Andrej Karpathy 'Deep Dive into LLMs like ChatGPT' - if you have time then you should watch this video since it provides you surprising insights about how LLM models work Graham Cluley 'Smashing Security' - finally s.th. about information securty; the weekly podcast for the lunch walk with your dog Connect with Kay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kbehnke/ Subscribe to this channel to find all new episodes: https://youtube.com/@reinventsecurity?feature=shared Listen on: Spotify: https://ap.lc/SzTrY Apple Podcasts: https://ap.lc/HmXhf FOLLOW ► Jeroen Prinse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/ Irfaan Santoe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Patric Versteeg (Heerema): Lead From Within — Personal Leadership for CISOs, Teams & Boards

In this episode of re-invent security, we sit down with Patric Versteeg, European CISO of the Year 2024, to unpack the “inner game” of cybersecurity leadership. Patric argues that real change isn’t about putting on a new mask—it’s about returning to your core values and installing “compensating controls” for your own behaviors under stress. From building mixed, high-trust teams to shaping board-level narratives that actually land, he shares pragmatic tools you can use tomorrow. You’ll hear how Patric: - Builds resilient teams using a diverse mix of working styles (not clones), clear outcomes over micromanagement, and a “beekeeper” approach that lets experts do their best work. - Protects team energy by addressing brilliant-but-low-trust outliers—even when they’re top individual performers. - Wins the boardroom without needing a board seat, by fitting the message to culture: financial exposure, reputational stakes, or license-to-operate. - Quantifies risk simply (people × internal hourly rate × downtime days) to make funding decisions straightforward. - Manages himself in a crisis, using quick breathing resets when meditation isn’t practical, and embracing mentors/coaches for sustained growth. - Frames board reporting around three questions: Are we compliant? Are we at risk? Did we have any material breaches?—and shows risk trends visually over time. Chapters: 00:00 - 02:55 Introduction 02:56 - 05:34 The "Inner Game" of Leadership 05:35 - 13:32 The Definition of Personal Leadership in Cyber Security 13:33 -15:54 Building the Right Team: Diversity is Key 15:55 - 19:05 Leadership Style: Trust and Result-Oriented 19:06 - 25:54 The "Beekeeper" Philosophy and Hiring Smarter People 25:55 - 26:56 Definition of a "High-Performance Team" 26:57 - 31:16 Boardroom Communication: From Fear-Mongering to Business Risk 31:17 - 39:51 What the Board Truly Wants to Know (3 Core Questions) 39:52 - 41:10 Cybersecurity as a Feeling: The Human Connection 41:11 - 46:20 Advice for Aspiring CISOs & Leadership Development 46:21 - 52:01 Wrap-up Resources & Mentions: Book: True North — Bill George https://billgeorge.org/book/true-north/ Book: Surrounded by Idiots — Thomas Erikson (red/yellow/blue/green styles) Metaphor/Book (Dutch): De Bijherder (The Beekeeper) Community: NextGen CISO Network (mentoring/coaching): https://nextgenciso.nl/Home/ Inspiration: Man in the Mirror — Michael Jackson (self-reflection theme) Thinkers: Simon Sinek; Brené Brown (trust, courage, vulnerability) Practice: Visual risk-trend infographics for board updates (quarterly) Connect with Patric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pjmversteeg/ Subscribe to this channel to find all new episodes: https://youtube.com/@reinventsecurity?feature=shared Listen on: Spotify: https://ap.lc/SzTrY Apple Podcasts: https://ap.lc/HmXhf FOLLOW ► Jeroen Prinse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/ Irfaan Santoe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Laurens Jagt (CSD) & Medea de Jong (Sonepar): “Build cyber security teams that actually thrive”

In this episode of re:invent security, hosts Jeroen Prinse and Irfaan Santoe sit down with two cybersecurity leaders tackling the talent gap from opposite directions. Laurens Jagt, founder of Cyber Security District, is building one of Europe’s most vibrant security communities—mentoring and guiding professionals at every stage of their career. Medea de Jong, Global CISO at Sonepar, brings the inside view of what it takes to lead, grow, and keep effective security teams in highly regulated industries. Together, they explore what’s broken in how we hire, why job descriptions miss the mark, how to spot hidden talent, and what it really takes to build security teams that stick. Whether you’re building your first team or reshaping a mature one, this candid conversation is packed with insights you can act on tomorrow. Tune in and ask yourself: What will you do differently tomorrow? Chapters: 00:00 - 03:33 - Introduction 03:33 - 07:09 - How do Medea and Laurens see reinventing the field? 07:10 - 08:22 - Are soft skills more important then certificates? 08:23 - 10:07 - What is more difficult: finding or retaining talent? 10:08 - 19:01 - What is the new generation looking for? 19:02 - 24:46 - Should we take more risk on new or transitioning talent? 24:45 - 31:04 - What is going wrong with our job descriptions? 31:05 - 34:49 - Should development be driven by the organization or the professional? 34:50 - 43:19 - Talking to the board on team development 43:20 - 45:21 - What’s one example of a development program that works? 45:22 - 47:52 - Are we looking for talent in the right places? 47:53 - 51:14 - What makes a transition into the cyber security field work? 51:15 - 53:56 - Building a brand new security team 53:57 - 58:09 - Key take aways Irfaan and Jeroen 58:10- 59:45 - Outro Resources: 1. TierPoint – Building Your Cybersecurity Team (2025) Link: https://www.tierpoint.com/blog/cybersecurity-team A practical guide for building an effective cybersecurity team, covering roles, strategies, and policy foundations. Ideal for modern organizations aiming to be scalable and agile. 2. TechTarget – Maximize Business Impact with the Right Security Team Link: https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/tip/How-to-build-a-cybersecurity-team-to-maximize-business-impact This article explores how the right team structure directly influences risk reduction, operational efficiency, and talent retention. Especially relevant for security leaders and HR decision-makers. 3. Airiam – 14 Strategies for Building Cyber-Resilient Teams Link: https://airiam.com/blog/building-cyber-resilient-teams A clear and actionable blog post offering 14 strategies to enhance team culture, training, and awareness within cybersecurity teams. Useful for leaders looking to strengthen team dynamics. 4. ISACA - State of Cybersecurity 2024 report Link: https://www.isaca.org/resources/reports/state-of-cybersecurity-2024 Connect with Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medea-de-jong-aa1b771/ Connect with Laurens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurensjagt/ Subscribe to this channel to find all new episodes: https://youtube.com/@reinventsecurity?feature=shared Listen on: Spotify: https://ap.lc/SzTrY Apple Podcasts: https://ap.lc/HmXhf FOLLOW ► Jeroen Prinse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/ Irfaan Santoe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Arnaud Wiehe (FedEx) & Tiago Teles (ABN Amro): “The Next-Gen CISO Must Stay Curious, or Fall Behind”

In this episode of re:invent security, we sit down with Arnaud Wiehe (Managing Director of Information Security at FedEx) and Tiago Teles (Head of Advanced Analytics & AI at ABN AMRO), co-authors of Emerging Tech, Emerging Threats, to explore what it truly means to lead in cybersecurity amid accelerating innovation. From the explosive rise of GenAI and deepfakes to third-party risk at scale and secure-by-design realities—this conversation unpacks the practical and philosophical shifts modern CISOs must embrace. Arnaud and Tiago reflect on the evolving role of the security leader: no longer the “department of no,” but a proactive enabler of innovation. We cover the threats shaping today’s landscape, including AI-generated phishing, insider risks, and automation-driven attacks—and how data quality, awareness, and defense-in-depth are now non-negotiable. Equally, we explore how security professionals must stay ahead not by fearing technology, but by experimenting with it—even when it might not succeed. Whether you're a seasoned security executive or an aspiring leader, this is a must-listen conversation about redefining relevance, staying ahead of risk, and embracing the future before it embraces you. Tune in and ask yourself: how are you staying curious? Chapters: 00:00 – 04:11 - Intro, Meet the Guests & Why This Topic Matters 04:12 – 08:39 - Writing the Book: Reinvention, Mindset, and Co-Authoring 08:40 – 15:04 - The Speed of Innovation: Why CISOs Must Stay Ahead of Tech 15:05 – 22:04 - From “Department of No” to Tech Enabler 22:03 – 28:04 - AI, Data & Security: Practical Use Cases that Work Today 28:05 – 33:52 - The Curious CISO: A New Model for Leadership 33:53 – 44:32 - Security by Design: The Real-World Playbook 44:33 – 53:43 - The Threats Are Here: Deepfakes, AI-Phishing & What's Next 53:44 – 58:32 - Final Takeaways & Challenge to Security Leaders Resources: * The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Disrupting Business, Industries, and Our Lives by Peter H. Diamandis, Steven Kotler, et al. Connect with Arnaud: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnaudwiehe/ Connect with Tiago: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiagoteles/ Subscribe to this channel to find all new episodes: https://youtube.com/@reinventsecurity?feature=shared Listen on: Spotify: https://ap.lc/SzTrY Apple Podcasts: https://ap.lc/HmXhf FOLLOW ► Jeroen Prinse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/ Irfaan Santoe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Petra Oldengarm (CVN): “Digital Sovereignty Starts With Smart Dependence, Not Full Independence”

In this episode of re:invent security, we sit down with Petra Oldengarm, Director of Cyberveilig Nederland (CVN), to explore the real meaning of digital sovereignty—and why it’s more than just a political slogan. Petra takes us deep into the practical challenges and strategic decisions that come with reducing digital dependencies. From procurement strategies and fallback systems to encryption standards and talent development, this conversation unpacks what sovereignty can look like—without chasing unrealistic dreams of full independence. We also tackle the CISO’s role in influencing vendor choices, the myth of total control, and how European regulation (like NIS2) might help—but won’t solve everything. Whether you're in the public sector, critical infrastructure, or private enterprise, this episode is a must-listen for security leaders trying to navigate geopolitical complexity without losing sight of operational Chapters: 00:00 - 1:44 - Teasers 1:45 - 4:44 - Introduction of the episode and Petra Oldengarm 04:45 - 08:03 - Reinventing security with private public collaboration (project Melissa) 08:04 - 09:43 - What are the biggest challenges that security leaders have regarding Digital Sovereignty? 09:44 - 10:43 - Outsourcing is a strategic choice increasing dependencies 10:44 - 12:40- How can security leaders influence outsourcing decisions? 12:41 - 15:01 - Diversifying the vendor landscape is nog a security problem but a board problem 15:02 - 18:40 - Waiting for a European solution is not a strategy 18:41 - 21:15 - European legislation to improve digital autonomy 21:16 - 25:50 - European alternatives requires a broad long term governmental strategy 25:51 - 27:30 - Strategies to increase your sovereignty today 27:31 - 31:50 - Decreased risk is your Return on Investment 31:51 - 36:57 - What is the role of the government and the European Union to make sure leaders diversify? 36:58 - 38:00 - You need to shift business continuity to the left 38:01 - 42:36 - Encryption is part of the solution 40:52 - 45:51 - What legislation is in the pipeline? (Omwille van de lengte mag deze er uit) 42:37 - 46:20 - Addressing the talent gap is a make or break for digital sovereignty? 46:21 - 49:40 - Petra’s advice: where do leaders start? 49:41 - 55:20 - Wrapping Up + Key take aways Resources & Mentions: Position Paper Cyberveilig Nederland on Digital Sovereignty: https://cyberveilignederland.nl/upload/userfiles/images/news/Position%20paper%20CVNL%20t_b_v_%20rondetafelgesprek%20Digitale%20soevereiniteit%20bij%20de%20Rijksoverheid%20d_d_%2013%20februari%202025%20(1).pdf Article in the FD about dependencies in our digital autonomy: https://fd.nl/tech-en-innovatie/1549612/datacenters-worden-steeds-groter-maar-de-financiering-groeit-niet-mee Connect with Petra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petraoldengarm/ Subscribe to this channel to find all new episodes: https://youtube.com/@reinventsecurity?feature=shared Listen on: Spotify: https://ap.lc/SzTrY Apple Podcasts: https://ap.lc/HmXhf FOLLOW ► Jeroen Prinse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jprinse/ Irfaan Santoe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irfaansantoe/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.