2025-10-30 –, Main Stage
Let’s face it: cybersecurity is not sexy. Not to boards, anyway. It’s often seen as dull, technical, and best left to IT - until a breach happens. You don't get media coverage for a well-run cyber drill, but you will make headlines when things go wrong. In this talk, Mirjam van Delft - Kaijser reveals how to flip the script, how to grab board-level attention and get them to take ownership. Using real-world stories and her RISICO method, she'll show you how to speak their language, frame the urgency, and make cybersecurity impossible to ignore. If you've ever struggled to get buy-in from the top, this is the talk you've been waiting for.
Boards love visibility, strategy, and results. Cybersecurity often delivers none of that - until there’s a crisis. That's why many executives often see security as a sunk cost. Important, but not urgent, and definitely not something that gets them noticed or praised. After all, no one posts a selfie from a cyber drill. So how do we get boards to pay attention before it’s too late?
In this energetic and eye-opening session, Mirjam tackles one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity: executive engagement. Mirjam unpacks why cybersecurity fails to land in boardrooms and what needs to shift in how we present it. Drawing on behavioral insights, public sector experience, and her own RISICO method, she lays out a practical approach to reframing cybersecurity as a leadership issue - not a technical one.
You'll learn:
- Why traditional cybersecurity messaging falls flat at the top
- How to reframe cybersecurity as a leadership and continuity issue
- The RISICO method: a practical and powerful toolset for boards to assess, act, and lead
- Communication tactics that resonate with non-technical decision-makers
Expect sharp insights, a touch of humor, and real-world examples. This talk is for CISOs, advisors, and IT leaders who want real traction with their board - and who are done begging for attention.
Mirjam van Delft - Kaijser helps organizations cut through IT complexity and elevate cybersecurity to a leadership priority. With her RISICO method, she equips boards - particularly in the public sector - with practical tools to take ownership of information security. She firmly believes that cybersecurity is not a technical issue, but an organizational one, and communicates in clear, human language to make digital threats relatable and actionable. Known for her sharp insights and no-nonsense tone, Mirjam turns abstract risks into boardroom urgency. Her background as a public sector advisor, along with her active role in the Zeeland CISO network, makes her a trusted voice in strengthening digital resilience.