Podcast series: Dive into the world of cybersecurity & cybercrime
Curious about the world behind digital attacks, online fraud, and cybercriminals? To mark the launch of the Dutch-taught bachelor's programme in Cybersecurity & Cybercrime, the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) presents a podcast series in which academics, students, and professionals discuss current digital issues.
Each episode explores a theme from a legal, criminological, public administration or technical perspective. The series, which is presented in Dutch, examines how digital threats emerge, their impact on society, and the various approaches to detection, prevention and response. The topics align closely with the themes of the bachelor programme and highlight why knowledge of cybersecurity is essential for the future.
Episode 1: Cybersecurity and cybercrime: perpetrators, victims, and digital risks
In this episode, Dr. Daan Weggemans takes you into the world of digital security and online crime. He is an assistant professor at the Institute for Security and Global Affairs and a member of the programme board of the BSc Cybersecurity & Cybercrime.
Together with Dr. Elina van 't Zand, a member of the programme board of BSc Cybersecurity & Cybercrime and criminologist at the Institute for Criminal Law & Criminology, and Dr. Tommy van Steen, Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity Governance and a cybersecurity behaviour expert. Together, they explore who cybercriminals are, why people commit online crimes, and how easily organisations and users can become victims.
Using a real case – a multi-million fraud involving a well-known cinema chain – they demonstrate how vulnerable even large companies can be. They also discuss whether people are often the weakest link in digital security and what can be done to be smarter and safer online.
You will also get an insight into how these current themes are integrated into the new Cybersecurity & Cybercrime programme, where students learn to navigate the opportunities and risks of an increasingly digital society.
Listen to the episode [in Dutch] and discover more about digital security and crime.
Episode 2: Ransomware: Dangers, approaches, and lessons for the future
In this episode of the podcast about the Bachelor's programme in Cybersecurity & Cybercrime at Leiden University, Daan Weggemans, together with two experts, discusses one of the greatest digital threats of our time: ransomware.
Guests include Prof. Dr. Bibi van den Berg, Professor of Cybersecurity Governance and Head of the Research Group at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, and Dr. Olga Gadyatskaya, a member of the programme board for BSc Cybersecurity & Cybercrime and Associate Professor at the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), specialising in the technical aspects of cybersecurity.
Using a well-known case – the WannaCry attack that crippled dozens of UK hospitals in 2017 – they show how criminal networks held files hostage and demanded large sums in ransom. They discuss how ransomware works, the impact it has on victims, why many incidents go unreported, and how this form of cybercrime affects not just businesses but society as a whole.
Olga Gadyatskaya delves into technical solutions to combat ransomware, while Bibi van den Berg explains how governance – the collaboration between businesses, governments, and civil society organisations – can contribute to better protection.
Listen to the episode [in Dutch] to discover how you can contribute to a safer digital world.
Episode 3: Online banking fraud: How the law battles cybercrime
In this third episode of the podcast about the Bachelor's programme in Cybersecurity & Cybercrime at Leiden University, Daan Weggemans, together with his guests, delves into the legal world of cybercrime.
Guests include Dr. Jan-Jaap Oerlemans, Assistant Professor of Criminal Law at the Institute for Criminal Law & Criminology and an expert in cybercrime, and Sem van der Meer, a student and student ambassador of the Cybersecurity & Cybercrime programme.
Using a recent case of online banking fraud – where victims were deceived with stories about so-called 'safe deposit accounts' – they discuss how cybercriminals operate, the role of so-called money mules, and the legal challenges this form of crime presents. What innovations are needed to keep legislation and law enforcement up to date in a world where technology is advancing rapidly?
Additionally, Sem shares his experience as a student who, without prior legal knowledge, explored the intersection of law and cybersecurity. What is it like to learn from multiple disciplines when thinking about digital threats?
Listen to the episode [in Dutch] and discover why knowledge of the law is essential for anyone looking to combat cybercrime.
About the bachelor programme Cybersecurity & Cybercrime
The Bachelor's programme Cybersecurity & Cybercrime is a Dutch-taught course starting in September 2025 at Leiden University in The Hague. The programme responds to the growing demand for well-trained professionals at the intersection of digital security and online crime.
This multidisciplinary bachelor's programme approaches cybersecurity and cybercrime from four interconnected perspectives:
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Criminology – You explore why people commit cybercrime, who becomes a victim, and which patterns can be recognised in this field.
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Law – You delve into the legal frameworks surrounding cybercrime and learn about the challenges posed by legislation and enforcement.
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Public Administration – You study how policies and organisational structures can help prevent and combat digital threats.
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Computer Science – You gain insight into how cyberattacks work technically, how vulnerabilities arise, and how to secure systems.
Throughout the programme, you will not only learn how cyber threats emerge, but also how to analyse and address them in collaboration with others. In this way, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to approach digital security from multiple angles.