New research by MultiTeam Solutions, commissioned by the City of The Hague, shows that line managers can play an important role in preventing scarce cybersecurity talent from leaving the sector because of stress, burnout or a lack of support. The City is putting these insights into practice by offering subsidised leadership training for professionals starting in November 2026.
The leadership training for cybersecurity professionals is fully funded by the City and is therefore free for participants. It will focus on areas including recognising and discussing workload pressures, providing feedback that supports professional development, and acknowledging progress and achievements.
“The Hague wants to be an international leader in cybersecurity. That means investing in technology and new talent, but also in the people who already work every day to keep us digitally secure. We want talented cybersecurity professionals not only to come and work here, but also to want to stay,” says Richard de Mos, Deputy Mayor of The Hague.
The study, Retaining Talent Is a Leadership Capability, shows that the working environment and the way professionals are guided and supported can also influence talent retention. Feeling competent in their work and receiving support from their line manager are associated with lower levels of stress and burnout, and a lower intention to leave the organisation. For professionals moving from a technical role into a management position, this step brings new responsibilities and requires new skills.
Cybersecurity Week 2026 The Hague
During Cybersecurity week in The Hague, the researchers will put the findings into practice at ONE Conference on 6 October through an interactive workshop based on the research. In the session, 3 Practical Leadership Strategies to Retain Cyber Talent, they will work with participants on three practical leadership strategies for retaining cybersecurity talent. By combining research, knowledge sharing at the ONE Conference and free training, the City aims to help build a strong cybersecurity sector in The Hague and the region that is well prepared for the future. Full programme Cybersecurity week: https://thehague.com/
About the research
The study, Retaining Talent Is a Leadership Capability, was conducted by MultiTeam Solutions on behalf of the City of The Hague. It took place from mid-2025 to early 2026 and comprised a quantitative survey of 86 cybersecurity professionals and three focus groups. The research focuses on the Dutch cybersecurity sector. https://www.multiteam.
Read the full article and find all relevant links: https://thehague.com/newsroom/
Source & Image: The Hague & Partners
Image: from The Hague & Partners: HSD en Siemens, Cybersecurity and Tech