A New Year, A New Spell ✨ Welcome to 2026 with WICCA
Hello everyone,
A new year means new energy, new conversations, and new opportunities to shape the future of cybersecurity together. 🖤
We’re kicking off 2026 the WICCA way: with an open, thoughtful, and honest discussion about leadership in security.
📣 Upcoming Meetup: The New CISO – From Dr. No to Bridge Builder?
What does leadership in security really look like today? And what will it need to become tomorrow?
The traditional image of the CISO as “Dr. No” no longer fits the reality many of us work in. Security leaders are increasingly expected to act as connectors, enablers, and trusted advisors. At this meetup, we’ll explore how that shift plays out in practice and what it means for the future of the role.
Together with CISO Masterclass, we’re hosting an evening at the Kiesraad (Dutch Electoral Council) with space for reflection, shared experiences, and new voices.
🗓 Date: 22 January 2026
📍 Location: Kiesraad, Zurichtoren, Muzenstraat 85, The Hague
🔗 Sign up here: https://www.meetup.com/nl-nl/wiccanl/events/312748590/
Program
18:00 – 18:30 | Walk-in
18:30 | Talks & conversation
Fleur van Leusden (CISO Kiesraad, host of CISO praat)
Dick Brandt & Johan Bakker (CISO Masterclass)
20:00 | Food & drinks
Whether you’re a CISO, aspiring leader, or simply curious about how security leadership is evolving, you’re very welcome to join us.
WICCON 2026 is officially in motion
Yes, October may feel far away, but behind the scenes we’ve already started building WICCON 2026, taking place on 29 & 30 October.
WICCON is more than a conference. It’s a community-driven cybersecurity event focused on knowledge-sharing, diversity, and making space for voices that deserve to be heard. Each year, it exists because people step up early: volunteers who help shape the experience, and sponsors who believe in supporting an inclusive and forward-looking security community.
Right now, we’re opening the doors for:
Sponsors who want to support a conference that prioritises impact over marketing fluff, and community over exclusivity
Volunteers who want to contribute their skills, time, or energy to making WICCON happen
Getting involved at this stage means having real influence, on how WICCON is organised, what it stands for, and how it grows this year.
More details about sponsorship opportunities, volunteering roles, and the Call for Papers will follow soon.
For now, consider this your early heads-up: WICCON 2026 is happening, and we’d love to build it together.
https://wiccon.nl/
Final thoughts
Did you know we have a Discord? We do! You can find it here: https://discord.gg/e53rf7hrbK
We have a blog! https://womenofwicca.nl/blog/ Want to publish your own article? Reach out to us.
Do you have a good idea for a meetup? Does the company you work for want to host us so you can showcase your work? Send us a message! We are always looking for new ideas!
See you soon!
Kind regards / Met vriendelijke groet,
Valentine + Chantal + Daniëlle + Ilse
The WICCA Team