Meet the team: Jeroen Kuipers

Jeroen, you recently started as Strategic Account Manager at Cyso Group. What does your work involve?

By nature, I enjoy helping people. I'm often the spider in the web. My 53 years of life experience and 30 years of work experience in IT certainly support this. I'm also someone who looks at things differently and focuses on what is possible. I see that IT is becoming increasingly complex, and the dangers of data theft or loss have increased dramatically in recent years due to the current geopolitical situation and the apparent breakdown of partnerships, alongside IT's growing shift towards "the Cloud".

Over the past five years, I've worked very specifically in the field of cyber security and have learnt a great deal about where companies are vulnerable and how to defend against this. It mainly comes down to awareness: where do the dangers lie, and how do you respond to them? Being aware of what "the Cloud" is, the benefits it offers, but also the dependencies it creates, is something that occupies me daily in a positive sense.

Being strategic is mainly about having a plan, preferably drawn up together with the client. Where are we now, and where are we heading? Collaboration, consistency, predictability and feeling valued are all very important elements of a relationship for me. Open and honest communication, too. This is often reflected in long-term relationships, which is what I always strive for.

What would be your dream client or dream project?

I aim to make every client or project a dream project. Helping relationships is what I enjoy most. Achieving shared success is also part of that. For every relationship that values my efforts, I'll go the extra mile.

As an account manager, you have a lot of customer contact. What, in your view, makes a good customer relationship?

Open and honest communication. Don't wait too long to communicate if something isn't going as expected.

What made you decide to join Cyso? What attracted you to this role?

That's mainly down to my last five years in cyber security, which is an incredibly interesting and broad field. I'm convinced that, as the Netherlands, we need to take at least one or two steps forward given the current geopolitical shifts and unpredictability. With the services Cyso offers – a Sovereign Cloud (data in Dutch data centres, governed by Dutch/European law, with a Dutch BV) and the simplicity with which this can be achieved – we can help many relationships quickly and effectively regain full control over their data, and we help application providers on a large scale by hosting their applications in a Dutch/European cloud.

That's my reason for putting my energy, knowledge and experience to work for Cyso.

What experience and knowledge do you bring from your previous roles?

I've worked for IBM, Microsoft and Oracle over the past 30 years, the last five years in cyber security. I've always focused on workable solutions to challenging technical questions. I almost always do this with the help of technically skilled colleagues, and I understand the dynamics of working with clients in this way.

We're an IT company. Which IT developments or trends do you find most interesting for our customers?

What occupies me most is the geopolitical shift and the unpredictability of allies currently taking place, and the risks this poses for Dutch/European businesses.

What do you like to do most in your free time?

I love playing sport in my free time. On holiday, I enjoy reading John Grisham novels to get swept away in his crime stories. I'm also a Lego enthusiast.

What should people definitely know about you?

I'm an open book. No hidden agendas. Direct, engaged and genuine.

Finally, do you have a film or series recommendation for your colleagues or customers?

Prison Break – who doesn't know it?

Lastly, a few dilemmas:

• Bungee jumping or white-water rafting?

  White-water rafting – I used to row and have a passion for watersports.

• Never work again or never go on holiday again?

  Oooh, one is only fun because of the other!

• Cyso BBQ or vegan salad?

  BBQ for sure!

• iOS or Android?

  Android

• NAS or data in the Cloud?

  Both!

• Email or phone call?

  Phone call

• Netflix or cinema?

  Cinema

• WhatsApp or Slack?

  WhatsApp

• Coffee or tea?

  Coffee