Hacked, now what? A practical and human-centered guide to digital security in the real world

Date

13 March 2025

Author

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In my twenty years of experience as a CISO, I have often seen cybersecurity treated as a “black box,” full of technical terms that are difficult for most people to understand. With this book, I want to lower that barrier.

Nathalie Claes

Author

Digitopia, client of Dadir - ISO27001 - ISO9001

Have you ever wondered what really happens after your company gets hacked?
The panic, the uncertainty, the sleepless nights and the endless question: how could this happen to us?

I’ve seen that moment too many times. And what I’ve learned, over twenty years in cybersecurity, is that most incidents don’t start with technology, they start with people. A distracted click, a moment of misplaced trust, or a process that no one really understood.

That’s why I wrote Hacked, now what?, to help bridge the gap between the technical and the human.
This book brings together the lessons I’ve learned from real-world cases, mistakes, and recoveries. It’s filled with true cases, psychological insights, strategies, graphs, checklists, and practical tips that show what digital security really looks like in the real world and not just in theory.

Each chapter takes you on a journey into the many facets of cybersecurity: from understanding why security is about people, not just technology, to exploring human curiosity, manipulation, and the hidden risks within your organization. You’ll uncover how insiders and external threats can exploit vulnerabilities, how influence and social engineering play a role, and how attackers think and act. By the end, you’ll see how leaders can turn complexity and potential chaos into clarity, control, and practical action.

Among many things, you’ll learn how to:

Spot the early signs of digital risk.

Turn human mistakes into growth moments.

Build a culture of awareness and accountability.

Protect your systems without overwhelming your people.

Communicate about cybersecurity with confidence and clarity.

Who is this book for?

This guide is essential reading for entrepreneurs, managers, and professionals who want to strengthen their organization’s resilience, even without a technical background. Whether you’re leading a growing business, managing teams, or simply want to understand how to protect yourself and those around you, Hacked, now what? gives you the mindset and the methods to stay safe in a digital-first world.

About Me

I’m Nathalie Claes, CEO of Dadir, where we help companies strengthen cybersecurity and compliance through frameworks such as ISO27001 and ISO9001. I’ve spent my career helping organizations manage risk, align technology with people, and build resilience from the inside out. Beyond my executive work, I teach business excellence, interpersonal skills, and AI Governance at PXL.

With Hacked, now what?, I want to change the way we think about digital safety — because cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated.
It just has to be human.

Hacked, now what?

Available Now in English & Dutch

Hacked, now what? is available in both English and Dutch.
For readers who prefer digital formats, the eBook versions are available in English on major platforms.

👉 Get your copy today:

English version
Available in print and eBook formats.