SBL Cybermonitoring Becomes Premium Partner of HSD: A Conversation with Stef Liethoff

In April 2021, Secure Connection B.V. and SBL Cybersecurity Services B.V. joined forces to establish SBL Cybermonitoring. Stef Liethoff, CEO of SBL Cybersecurity, explains how this collaboration came to be. "Secure Connection had developed an innovative Intelligent Agent Framework perfectly suited for automated security analysis. Since 2020, we have successfully used this framework for compromise assessments and security monitoring for our clients. This success eventually led to the establishment of SBL Cybermonitoring." Thanks to a European subsidy, the framework was further developed into WatchEagle MDR, an expert system that makes advanced cybersecurity solutions accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). "With this technology, we want to help businesses stay ahead of cyberattacks and strengthen their digital resilience," says Liethoff. 

How would you describe the activities of SBL Cybermonitoring? 

"SBL Cybermonitoring focuses on five key pillars: 

• Security assessments to measure an organisation's resilience against cyberattacks;

• Managed Detection & Response (MDR), where our WatchEagle system monitors networks and systems, detecting and analyzing anomalous behavior in real-time;

• Incident Response, to assist clients in recovering after a cyberattack;

• Breach & Attack Simulation, where we simulate real cyberattacks to test the effectiveness of security measures;

• Security improvement programmes to help organisations implement structural improvements." 

Why has SBL Cybermonitoring become a premium partner of HSD? 

"We are now at a point where scaling up is crucial. With a standardised offering, we are ready to serve more clients, especially within the SME and manufacturing industries. The premium partnership with HSD increases our visibility as an innovative player in the cybersecurity domain and provides opportunities to collaborate on creating a more resilient SME sector." 

What added value does the HSD partnership offer you? 

"Mainly visibility and collaboration. We want to work together with HSD to help SMEs enhance their digital resilience. Additionally, the network provides us with opportunities to promote innovation and knowledge exchange." 

What has the HSD partnership brought you so far? 

"The partnership has brought us a lot. It led to the collaboration between Secure Connection and SBL, which formed the basis for SBL Cybermonitoring. Through HSD, we have also established valuable connections with educational institutions, such as The Hague University of Applied Sciences and Leiden University of Applied Sciences, resulting in internships and graduation projects. Several graduates are now employed with us. Moreover, the connection with RVO helped us secure subsidies, allowing us to accelerate the development of WatchEagle MDR." 

What do you see as the biggest challenges in the security domain? 

"One major challenge is that SME management must start viewing cybersecurity as a core business risk and allocate concrete resources for it. Additionally, the sector is facing a shortage of qualified personnel at all levels, from vocational education to university." 

What is SBL Cybermonitoring's ambition for the coming years? 

"We want to become the leading player in the SME segment. Currently, we are ready to serve 25 new clients per year. Our goal is to double that capacity within a few years to 50 clients per year." 

SBL Cybermonitoring continuously looks for ways to enhance the digital resilience of organisations. In addition to their advanced WatchEagle MDR system and extensive service portfolio, they are also open to collaborations with other IT and cybersecurity service providers. "We are happy to work with parties that do not yet offer Managed Detection & Response services but want to provide them to their clients," says Stef Liethoff. Through such collaborations, SBL Cybermonitoring hopes not only to expand its reach but also to make a broader contribution to improving cybersecurity resilience in the Netherlands. 

With this open attitude and focus on innovation, SBL Cybermonitoring demonstrates that they are not only a valuable partner within the HSD ecosystem but also a key player in the broader cybersecurity landscape. Collaboration and knowledge sharing are central to their mission of strengthening SMEs against the ever-increasing digital threats.