HackFlag
For a decade, I've been the founder and administrator of the first and largest Dutch hackers forum with almost 8,000 members.
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My story
My fascination with technology began at an early age. I stumbled upon the power of triggering amusing pop-ups using Visual Basic Script when I was 12 years old. This discovery sparked my love for programming. During my high school years, I found myself drawn to the intriguing world of hacking - exploring ways to use technology beyond its intended purpose while maintaining positive intentions. However, my school wasn't entirely supportive of my newfound interest, doubting my intentions as a teenage hacker. Undeterred, I established my own tech support business in 2008, providing valuable assistance to individuals with computer issues.
While my peers were working at local supermarkets, I immersed myself in visiting customers to help them with their tech-related problems. I took the initiative to create a forum for my school. Drawing on the experience gained from building this forum, I delved into the creation of a Dutch hackers forum called L33thackers.nl at the age of 17. A couple of years later, I eventually built a new and more sophisticated hackers forum - HackFlag.org. Over the years, HackFlag flourished, growing to nearly 8,000 members and becoming a significant part of my life. For in-depth insights into this decade-long project, please visit HackFlag's dedicated page.
In addition to my technical pursuits, I engaged in facility management within my student flat and also co-founded a residents association with five others to prioritize the residents' best interests.
During my bachelor's degree in Computer Science, I also followed law courses, enhancing my understanding of IT law and ethics. Alongside my studies, I faced life-changing challenges in 2015 and 2019, which tested my resilience and determination, ultimately making me stronger both physically and mentally.
In 2016, I embarked on an ambitious project to create a control flow graph generator for Java. As I completed my bachelor's degree, I began my master's in Cyber Security, pursuing studies at Radboud University and Eindhoven University of Technology. This program involved an extensive array of courses, providing in-depth knowledge on diverse cyber security topics. My favorite topics include (compliance with) law, network security, ransomware, forensics and security in organizations. My master thesis was about mobile network security. The last part of the master's program was the internship, in which I created a system to be able to asses the quality of use cases and detection rules used in the Security Operations Center (SOC) of Northwave.
Throughout my academic journey, I noticed that complex subjects could often be explained more effectively. This frustrated me because it made many courses artificially difficult. This insight therefore led me to create educational websites that offer clearer and more structured explanations, still benefiting numerous individuals in understanding various topics today.
In my spare time, I ventured into projects like visualizing internet traffic to see your network packets actually flying through the room and developing an app for students in my salsa dancing school.
As part of my master’s in Cyber Security, I completed an internship at Northwave, widely regarded as the top Cyber Security firm in the Netherlands. My primary project was to develop a tool that assesses the quality of detection rules used in the SOC. This tool has since become an integral asset, continuously enhancing the SOC's detection capabilities.
After finishing my master’s, I found that the environment and level of expertise at Northwave resonated strongly with my goals, which led me to join the team as a SOC analyst. In the months that followed, I gained valuable, hands-on experience in the field. This experience contributed to a compelling job offer from Openbaar Ministerie, the Public Prosecutor's Office / District Attorney of the Netherlands. It was a challenging decision, as I held deep appreciation for my work and team at Northwave. Ultimately, my drive to serve in the public sector and take on a new level of impact won out.
In my current role, alongside my work as a SOC analyst, I am dedicated to advancing the SOC's maturity and strategic capabilities. I’m excited about future opportunities and am always open to exploring new possibilities as I continue building on my experience.
