So, let’s talk about my career for a bit, it’s been a very interesting ride to say the least. I guess I’m one of those people that followed a different path than most or what’s common these days. Read on and find out what I mean…

(1974 – 1998) – The Dark Ages

When I was young, around 16 I finished my middle school, and I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. After talking to my parents, I started an education where I combined 1 day of school with 4 days of working in a factory. I finished this education after two years and started full time at the same place but wasn’t really happy, something was missing. it was around 1993 that I was drafted in the military and spend 9 months with the Artillery, left eventually as a sergeant within communications. One thing that I learned during that time is that I could do so much more with my life than I had been doing up until that point.
After talking to my manager at the time I took my first steps into IT, finished my education in the field within 3 years and started working as a service desk employee at a company named Origin in 1998 .

(1998 – 2006) – My First IT Job

Junior Engineer to Architect

My job was simple, installing Windows 95 onto corporate laptops and desktops. I automated the process within 3 months and people took notice in my abilities. I eventually took on the role of architect responsible for the design and portfolio of Endpoint management. My team named the solution Next Generation Desktop (NGDT), it was during that process that I had my first interaction with Microsoft consultants. To be honest, when I started my career in IT I already had the ambition to work for Microsoft, but it felt like a million miles away at the time.

(2006 – 2007) – All About Storage

Storage Consultant

After working at AtosOrigin for 7 years it was time for a change, I just wanted to try something else within my profession, just to see if I could do it. It was 2006 when I started as a storage consultant at Netapp. Although the company was wonderful, I didn’t get to the same level of passion as I had working with Microsoft products. During the evening I was still busy within the Microsoft ecosystem. Fun fact, the headquarters of Netapp in my country was situated near the Microsoft building at the time. After a year I put on my big boy pants and just went for it. I applied for a job at Microsoft Consulting Services as an infrastructure consultant. And guess what…. I got hired!

(2007 – 2016) – Reaching a goal, Microsoft

Infrastructure Consultant (Microsoft Consulting Services)

I started my journey in July of 2007. As a Microsoft Infrastructure Consultant, I was actively involved in guiding organizations in adopting new Microsoft based products, getting the most value out of the platform. My job was helping customers worldwide to understand the possibilities of the platform and map their business requirements to the technical solutions. I created functional designs and provided implementation guidance. And it was so much fun, I walked around the Dutch HQ feeling really proud of living my dream! After 3 years of MCS I was approached by Premier Field Engineering Security if I would be interested to join their team. I was so positively overwhelmed by the sheer question itself that I just couldn’t resist. My security journey really started there.

(2011 – 2016) – The First Steps Into Security

Senior Engineer Cybersecurity (Premier Services)

As a Senior PFE (Premier Field Engineer) I helped middle to large organizations to work in the most optimized way with Microsoft security software. My area of expertise at the time was Windows platform Security with a specialization in endpoint protection. I also specialized in credential theft, a.k.a. how can I become somebody else.
Premier Field Engineering is a part of the Microsoft services organization. The primary focus is to support, guide and educate customers that have Microsoft Premier Support and either provide a proactive or reactive service. Our motto throughout the organization is, get healthy, and stay healthy emphasizing the proactive part. In my role as Senior Premier Field Engineer (PFE) I executed security assessments of Windows based environments, educate IT administrators in using our products, help customers with Windows platform security challenges and create new services that, in turn, can help others to accelerate in their work. Next to that I mentored new colleagues throughout their Microsoft career.
Coincidently at the time of my transfer from MCS to PFE someone messed up my title to “Premier Field Consultant” which, to my modest opinion, covers my skills better specially with my long track record in consultancy.
After 9 years, traveling all over the world really got to me. It was during one of those evenings being alone in a hotel room that I decided that I needed to make a change in my life. Not that I disliked the company, I just was tired of traveling and needed to slow down. I wanted to be closer to home…

(2016 – 2018) – Back To Philips

Senior Security Engineer

With a heavy heart, I left in 2016, but was happy that I could start as a Security Engineer Digital Pathology Solutions at Philips, just 30 minutes from home. We provided medical devices with capabilities for storing, processing and access management to high resolution digital images for pathological research. Amongst my duties where vulnerability management, STIG checklist management, security benchmarking, automated system deployment and overall system security for the DPS products.
Suddenly having plenty of time and given the freedom to optimize as I saw fit, I automated a lot of tasks and processes. One of the coolest things I did was automated the STIG checklist comparison. That process used to take 3 days; I brought it down to less than 5 minutes. When I started at Philips, I didn’t know anything about using PowerShell to automated tasks. I bought a book, watched a couple of YouTube videos and just did it. Steep learning curve but it was so worthwhile! I eventually introduced an Azure cloud service that we could use to remotely managed systems on a global scale. The real downside of working for a medical company was the restrain most people had. Which from a medical compliance point of view I totally get, but still it was chewing on enthusiasm. So much that after 2,5 years I jumped ship and started at a local MCP as a Security consultant.

(2018 – Today) – Managed Service Provider

Security Architect

Up until today I still work there. The company is named ACA IT-Solutions and services the small to medium business in the southern part of the Netherlands. When I started there, based on my expertise I developed the now very successful Security Audit. Being part of a larger company (Crowe) specializing in accountancy we now have multidisciplinary teams that can conduct Cybersecurity assessments during a financial audit. This greatly enhances the trustworthiness and integrity of the data that’s presented to the financial auditor. An additional benefit for a customer is that they gain insight into their Cybersecurity maturity allowing them to take the necessary steps to be able to defend themselves in this digital age.
Next to that I guide internal development of security services, am part of the management team and recently took on the role of architect. I have an opinion on a lot of things, so that fits right in! I still very much enjoy being on stage and talk about my passion for IT, security and such. Recently I had the opportunity to, for the first time in my life, lead a seminar on Cybersecurity in the region. That was so cool and a great success I may add!

That’s my story up until now. Stay tuned for any changes and if you have any questions, just shoot me a message.