“Our advisory role is powerful: we're taking a collective stand”
During his three years as a board member of the CISO Platform, Justin Broeders, recently appointed as CISO for the Dutch Central Government, has seen the community develop into an increasingly influential voice in the public debate. Although he recently stepped down from the board, he remains closely involved and hopes the community will continue to strengthen its advisory role. “Collaboration is the only way to thrive in a complex field.”
“In June, I started as CISO for the Dutch Central Government”, says Justin. “A strategic role with a broad perspective across central government. That's where I need to fully focus my attention for the time being – hence my decision to step down from the CISO Platform board.”
Justin joined the board in 2023, shortly after the CISO Community and Platform were established.
“At that time, there simply wasn't a national platform where CISOs across the Netherlands could connect. I immediately saw the potential: bringing together CISOs from every sector and enabling them to move forward collectively.”
Driving impact through knowledge
Over the past few years, Justin has seen the CISO Community evolve considerably. What started as a platform for connecting with fellow CISOs and expanding professional networks has increasingly become a place where knowledge makes the difference.
“Take the small-scale knowledge sessions we organise,” he says. “The scale and intimacy encourage genuine interaction. The strength lies in bringing together like-minded professionals, without expecting everyone to agree on everything.”
Justin also sees great value in bringing together professionals from both the public and private sectors.
“We've brought together a remarkable cross-section of the Dutch CISO community. That cross-pollination of knowledge, for example between government and industry, is incredibly valuable.”
Taking a stand through an advisory role
As the community has grown, Justin believes its influence has grown alongside it. Not only in terms of membership numbers, but also in shaping public and political discussions.
“During the coalition negotiations in 2025, the CISO Community took a clear position and published recommendations. I believe that's something we should continue to develop, because there's still much more potential.”
Strengthening the community's advisory role requires strong leadership, he argues.
“The CISO Community story needs to be communicated clearly. That's a great challenge for the new board.”
At the same time, it is important that the growing number of events and knowledge sessions remain connected through a common narrative. “We need an overarching story that consistently runs through everything we do.”
Meanwhile, the community itself should continue to grow. “For example, by establishing regional chapters. We've already achieved a great deal, but I still see enormous potential.”
New perspectives through meaningful discussions
Looking back on the past few years, Justin recalls several conversations with fellow CISOs that changed the way he thinks. One discussion on geopolitical threats stands out in particular.
“Talking with colleagues made me realise that technology itself has become a geopolitical threat factor.”
The discussion centred on the growing geopolitical influence of major technology companies and the way their financial strength and innovation capacity increasingly translate into political power.
“By choosing where they do, or don't, invest, today's largest technology companies can literally influence where economic growth takes place. Technology is increasingly shaping public life and society in other countries. That was a genuinely important insight for me.”
For Justin, having the opportunity to explore these kinds of topics in depth with peers remains the community's greatest strength.
“The value isn't just in discussing technical issues themselves. It's also about surrounding topics, including geopolitical developments. Learning from one another across such a wide range of topics is what makes this community so powerful.”
A platform for visibility
On a personal level, Justin says the CISO Community has played an important role in increasing his own visibility as a CISO.
“You become accessible to others, and others become accessible to you. That has certainly helped me develop in my role.”
His advice to fellow CISOs is therefore simple: attend as many sessions as possible, build relationships with peers and make sure those conversations continue beyond the events themselves.
“Don't just move from one event to the next. Stay connected outside the community as well and continue building those relationships. My motto is simple: collaboration is the only way to thrive sustainably in such a complex field.”
Looking back, Justin is grateful for everything the board has achieved together over the past few years. “I'm incredibly grateful to the board for everything we've built together.”
And will he leave the CISO Community behind? “Not at all. I'm taking some time to immerse myself in my new role. But I'll be back above the surface before long. The CISO Community is still very much a part of me.”
