Linde Oostinga, Cyber Behaviour & Awareness
Meet the team
Linde shares her story
Tell us about yourself:
I’m Linde, 30 years old, and I live in The Hague. I work in Northwave’s Awareness & Behaviour team, where we help clients create a safe digital journey by reducing human behaviour risks and building cyber safety awareness. I’ve always been fascinated by both cyber security and behavioural psychology, and in this role, I get to combine those two worlds every day.
At Northwave, we’ve conducted research into the psychological impact of cyberattacks, and we support organisations in reducing that impact on their employees. So I’m also involved in assisting clients during high-pressure incidents. It’s meaningful work, and I love that I get to contribute to a safer digital Europe.
At Northwave, we’ve conducted research into the psychological impact of cyberattacks, and we support organisations in reducing that impact on their employees. So I’m also involved in assisting clients during high-pressure incidents. It’s meaningful work, and I love that I get to contribute to a safer digital Europe.
I joined Northwave four years ago. I have a masters in Cognitive Psychology, which I studied at Leiden University. I’ve always been fascinated by how people think, make decisions, and respond to risks.
When I started my studies, I never imagined I’d end up in cyber security—but the connection turned out to be stronger than I expected. Understanding human behaviour is essential in this field, especially since so many cyber incidents stem from human actions. My psychological background helps me approach cyber risks from a behavioural perspective, which is incredibly valuable in both prevention and response.
There’s (almost!) never a dull moment in my work, whether I’m helping clients reducing human risks, or supporting them during incidents. I love the combination of strategic thinking and human insight, and I feel proud to contribute to making organisations—and society—more secure. For me, being able to add real value is what makes my job so meaningful.
When I started my studies, I never imagined I’d end up in cyber security—but the connection turned out to be stronger than I expected. Understanding human behaviour is essential in this field, especially since so many cyber incidents stem from human actions. My psychological background helps me approach cyber risks from a behavioural perspective, which is incredibly valuable in both prevention and response.
There’s (almost!) never a dull moment in my work, whether I’m helping clients reducing human risks, or supporting them during incidents. I love the combination of strategic thinking and human insight, and I feel proud to contribute to making organisations—and society—more secure. For me, being able to add real value is what makes my job so meaningful.
Some elaboration on the outside of work part:
I love being active and outdoors. Running in the dunes of The Hague is my go-to way to clear my head—I just put on my shoes and go. I also enjoy squash and windsurfing when the weather allows. Besides that, I really value spending time with friends, whether it’s a relaxed evening or a spontaneous adventure. Staying active and connected helps me recharge and brings balance to my work.
What do Northwavers have in common?Northwavers are passionate about their work and genuinely interested in cyber security. And what really unites us is our shared mission: to make Europe—and the world—a safer place in the digital age. Whether we’re helping clients recover from incidents or proactively managing human risks, we’re all driven by the idea that our work truly matters.
That sense of purpose goes hand in hand with a love for adventure. From celebrating Northwave’s 18th birthday in Sicily to hitting the slopes together on a ski trip, we make space for fun and connection. Our CEO, Steven, really encourages that balance—he believes that doing meaningful work and having great experiences with each other should go hand in hand. And that’s exactly what makes Northwave such a special place to be.
That sense of purpose goes hand in hand with a love for adventure. From celebrating Northwave’s 18th birthday in Sicily to hitting the slopes together on a ski trip, we make space for fun and connection. Our CEO, Steven, really encourages that balance—he believes that doing meaningful work and having great experiences with each other should go hand in hand. And that’s exactly what makes Northwave such a special place to be.
