The Secret Diplomats Fighting Cyber Wars
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The Secret Diplomats Fighting Cyber Wars
Every cyberattack headline hides a story of negotiation and restraint.
In this episode of Threat Talks, Lieuwe Jan Koning talks with Ernst Noorman, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, about the unseen world of cyber diplomacy, where words, not weapons, decide the future of global cybersecurity.
From shaping UN norms to addressing cyberattacks from state actors like China and Russia, Ernst shares how dialogue, cooperation, and shared standards keep critical systems online and prevent escalation.
Learn why diplomacy isn’t soft – it’s strategic. It’s how nations defend digital sovereignty and build resilience together.
What you’ll learn:
- How cyber diplomacy defines what nations can and cannot do online.
- Why collaboration and trust-sharing are key to global cybersecurity.
- What CISOs can learn from diplomats about communication and alliances.
Your cybersecurity experts
Lieuwe Jan Koning
Co-Founder and CTO
ON2IT
Ernst Noorman
Ambassador for Cyber Affairs
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Episode details
In this episode, ON2IT’s CTO Lieuwe Jan Koning speaks with Ernst Noorman, the Netherlands’ Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs. Together, they unpack how diplomacy has become a frontline defense in the digital age.
Ernst explains how global cyber norms were negotiated at the United Nations – rules that even rival nations like China and Russia have agreed to. They discuss attribution, sanctions, and how the Netherlands and its partners support Ukraine’s cyber resilience. Beyond geopolitics, the conversation explores disinformation, AI regulation, and the need for consistent digital governance that protects human rights online.
The episode closes with a powerful message for CISOs: adopt a “CISO diplomacy” mindset. Just as diplomats share intelligence and coordinate responses, organizations must collaborate across supply chains to build collective cyber strength.
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