Meet the ‘CISO’ of The Hague: A critical role for unprecedented times

Type: Behind the story
Topic: Cybersecurity
Topic: Humanity
Publication date: 24 Feb 2026
Author: Tom Clarke - Features writer and podcast host for Stories of Purpose.

Cybersecurity has become a vital consideration for organisations of all sizes, but for cities, the stakes are even higher.

Lilian Knippenberg has been Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Municipality of The Hague since July 2025, and it is her job to ensure its citizens are kept safe from digital threats. CISO is a role that didn’t really exist a decade ago, but as the threat levels increase, it has become a critical part of the City’s IT framework.

Lilian Knippenberg, CISO, The Hague “Cybersecurity and physical security have become completely intertwined. For the city of The Hague we have to make sure our digital environment is protected in order to keep people safe.”

A unique ecosystem

The Hague is at the very heart of the international community. It is home to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as many agencies and offices of the United Nations (UN). As such, it is a target for cyber attacks launched by foreign ‘threat actors’ who would seek to cause disruption to globally significant events and infrastructure.

In 2025, The Hague played host to the NATO Summit, and the eyes of the world were suddenly all focussed on this small municipality in the Netherlands. With 45 heads of state from NATO member countries including U.S. President Donald Trump all in the same location, the City launched the largest physical security operation in the history of the Netherlands, while the cybersecurity team had to manage an unprecedented level of threats.

Lilian Knippenberg “The NATO Summit helped us to understand new and old threats on a scale we have not seen before. Security is always about having multiple layers. If you only have one layer or one lock, you are setting yourself up to fail. That’s why we have a strategy of ‘Defence in Depth’ - where there are multiple layers in place to protect events like the NATO Summit.”

You’re never too young to become a Hacker!

Much of the CISO’s role is managing this synergy between real-world security operations and cybersecurity protocols. With The Hague home to many hundreds of tech start-ups, charities and international NGOs, it is a place where collaborations can thrive.

For several years, the Municipality’s cybersecurity team has organised ‘Hack the Hague’ events, where ethical hackers try to find vulnerabilities in the City’s digital systems. Young people are at the heart of these events, with many students joining in and trying to win prizes.

Lilian Knippenberg “True cybersecurity has always been a collective effort. The ethical hacking community in The Hague is extraordinary - and has become an essential ally for us in helping to understand our weaknesses so we can work towards strengthening them. Everyone who wants to learn is welcome at Hack the Hague. We want to make space for professional hackers, but it is vital students and young people get involved as they are the ethical hackers of the future!”

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