The Human Risk Factor in Cybersecurity: A Belgian Startup's Unconventional Rise

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-09-01

Let's be honest. Cybercrime is getting smarter by the day. Those phishing emails? They're looking more legit than ever, and it's getting harder to tell the real from the fake. It's enough to keep any business owner up at night. That's why we sat down with Manon Vandebergh, COO of the Belgian cybersecurity scale-up Phished. We got into the nitty-gritty of how companies can build a stronger defense. And here's the thing she kept coming back to: your people. They're your strongest link and, paradoxically, your biggest risk. ### The Ever-Evolving Threat Landscape We talked about the latest phishing techniques. The ones that don't just have a few typos anymore. They mimic your CEO's tone perfectly. They reference a real project you're working on. They're scary good. But Manon broke it down into simple, actionable steps any entrepreneur can take today. It's not about having a team of expensive experts on standby. It's about awareness and building a culture of vigilance. - **Slow down.** The most dangerous emails create a sense of urgency. Take a breath before clicking. - **Check the sender.** Not just the name, but the actual email address. Look for those subtle misspellings. - **Trust your gut.** If an email feels "off," even if you can't pinpoint why, report it. It's about turning your team from a vulnerability into your first line of defense. ### From Belgian Roots to Global Impact: The Phished Story But our conversation went far beyond just spotting bad emails. We dove into the incredible growth story of Phished itself. How do you build an international scale-up from Belgium? What's their secret sauce? Manon talked about something fascinating: an "unfair competitive advantage." For them, it's a deep commitment to culture and radical transparency, or as they call it, "Parlez-Vrai" (speak the truth). It's the glue that holds everything together as you scale. She also made a compelling case for founders staying deeply involved in sales. It's not about micromanaging. It's about keeping your finger on the pulse of the customer. That direct feedback loop is priceless and often gets lost as companies grow. ### You Don't Need a Tech Background to Thrive in Tech Finally, we shifted gears to talk about women in tech. Manon's own journey is a powerful testament to one central idea: you don't need a computer science degree to build a phenomenal career in the technology sector. "It's about problem-solving, empathy, and leadership," she said. "The tech is just the tool. The real magic is understanding the human need behind it." This episode was packed with insights for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone curious about building a resilient business in a digital world. It's a mix of practical cybersecurity advice, unconventional growth strategies, and a reminder that the most secure companies are built on a foundation of strong, aware people. Cybersecurity isn't just an IT problem anymore. It's a leadership priority. And building a business with real impact? That starts with getting the human element right.