Jan D'Herdt

Jan D'Herdt serves as the Head of Enterprise Security Architecture at a global Biopharma , where he leads initiatives across security architecture, policies, awareness, and many other cybersecurity related activities. With more than two decades of experience, Jan has established himself as a trusted leader in cybersecurity. He holds multiple certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH). Jan’s ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders has been key to his success, both in his professional career and as a SANS instructor.

Jan's journey into cybersecurity began at a young age, when his father introduced him to the internet. Fascinated by the Wild West of the early web, Jan quickly developed a passion for learning how systems work—and more importantly, how they could be secured. His expertise covers a broad range of topics, from ISO 27001 implementations to offensive security and security leadership.

Jan’s teaching philosophy is rooted in his ability to connect with students by acknowledging the challenges they face. “It’s important for students to relate to the speaker, to know they are not alone in their challenges,” Jan explains. He emphasizes hands-on learning and believes that practical experience in solving security problems is essential for true mastery of the material.

Jan was inspired to become a SANS instructor after participating in several courses and discovering the profound impact SANS had on his own career. “SANS has always been a respected and reputable learning experience for me,” says Jan. “I followed several classes and enjoyed all of them. Teaching is something that many of my colleagues encouraged me to do, and now I’m here, sharing what I’ve learned with my students.”

In his classes, Jan focuses on helping students develop the communication skills needed to explain IT security issues to non-technical audiences. “Throughout my career, I’ve regularly had to explain technical concepts in a way that everyone can understand. That’s a skill I love sharing with my students,” he says. Jan also emphasizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in security—each organization is different, and security leaders must understand their unique challenges.

Jan has authored several publications, including Security in Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning Environments and Detecting Cryptocurrency Mining in Corporate Environments. He is an active contributor to the cybersecurity community, frequently speaking at private events and guiding others through the challenges of modern security.

When he’s not immersed in cybersecurity, Jan enjoys basketball and traveling. He also draws life lessons from being a father of two, jokingly describing himself as a “daily risk assessor” at home. His experience in team sports has taught him the value of diversity and collaboration—lessons he applies in both his security work and his teaching.Jan is passionate about mentoring future cybersecurity leaders and takes pride in seeing his students succeed. “My success is a reflection of my students' success,” he says. “I hope to give them the tools they need to navigate their own unique challenges and build successful security programs.”