How Cyber Security District Helped Z-CERT Scale Their Workforce With Top Cybersecurity Talent
A Z-CERT Case Study
About Z-CERT
The Dutch healthcare sector relies on Stichting Z-CERT (Z-CERT), the nation’s Cybersecurity Incident Response Team (CSIRT), to safeguard critical digital infrastructure. From hospitals to specialized care facilities, Z-CERT’s mission is to enhance the sector’s resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. By delivering rapid incident response, proactive cybersecurity guidance, and long-term digital strategies, Z-CERT ensures uninterrupted and secure healthcare services across the Netherlands.
The Challenges
In response to the NIS2 Directive by the European Union, Z-CERT faced the critical challenge of expanding its workforce to meet heightened cybersecurity compliance requirements. The directive not only increased the organization’s responsibilities but also underscored the need for enhanced operational capacity.
Z-CERT set out to double its team within two years, a goal complicated by the niche expertise required in the cybersecurity field. The organization needed a recruitment partner who could effectively navigate this highly specialized market, ensure hires aligned with Z-CERT’s high standards, and do so within a tight timeframe.
The Solution
Z-CERT partnered with Cyber Security District to address its ambitious workforce expansion goals and meet the demands of the NIS2 Directive. To ensure success, we created a tailored recruitment roadmap that aligned with Z-CERT’s strategic objectives. This roadmap incorporated stakeholder collaboration, proactive planning, and targeted outreach, enabling us to efficiently fill critical roles while building a pipeline for future talent.
To streamline the recruitment process and improve alignment, Ana Cazacu, a Senior Recruitment Consultant at Cyber Security District, was embedded onsite at Z-CERT. This hands-on approach provided a deep understanding of Z-CERT’s culture and hiring needs, reducing time-to-hire by 25%. By working closely with the team, Ana was able to adapt quickly to evolving requirements and ensure seamless integration of new hires into the organization.
We also elevated Z-CERT’s employer brand by showcasing them in our newsletter, creating high-quality employer branding videos that highlighted their mission, culture, and workplace benefits, and hosting an exclusive event at their offices. This event provided a unique opportunity for candidates to engage directly with the Z-CERT team, gaining deeper insight into their work and values. Supported by targeted marketing campaigns and our extensive network of cybersecurity professionals, these efforts positioned Z-CERT as a top employer in the Dutch cybersecurity sector.
The Results
Over the course of 2024, we achieved outstanding results for Z-CERT:
- 12 key hires across 11 critical roles, enabling Z-CERT to meet its operational goals.
- A 25% reduction in time-to-hire, thanks to the embedded recruitment model.
- A strengthened reputation as a top employer, achieved through targeted outreach and branding initiatives.
Key hires included:
- Security Operations Team Lead
- Principal Incident Responder
- Incident Responders (x2)
- Cyber Threat Intelligence Specialists
- Red Teaming Specialist
- Business Consultants (x2)
- Information Security Officer
- Security Specialists
- Support Specialists
- POC Consultant
The Impact
With a stronger and more capable team in place, Z-CERT is well-equipped to meet the demands of the NIS2 Directive while continuing to safeguard the digital integrity of the Dutch healthcare sector. Building on the success of 2024, Z-CERT has renewed its partnership with us for another year. In 2025, we will collaborate on further growth, operational excellence, and solidifying Z-CERT’s position as a leader in healthcare cybersecurity.
At Cyber Security District, we specialize in scaling high-performing teams in the cybersecurity industry. Whether you’re expanding an established team or building one from the ground up, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.
Let’s discuss your recruitment needs today—contact us to learn more.
