Bas Van Erk
About Bas Van Erk
Bas Van Erk serves as the Director for Benelux and Nordics at SoSafe, where he focuses on enhancing security culture through strategic partnerships and innovative training programs. With a diverse background in leadership roles across various companies, he has developed expertise in GDPR compliance and organizational security.
Current Role at SoSafe
Bas Van Erk serves as the Director for Benelux and Nordics at SoSafe, a position he has held since 2022. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing operations and driving business growth in these regions. His leadership focuses on enhancing customer relationships and building strategic partnerships. He operates from Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, where he leads initiatives aimed at improving organizational security through awareness programs.
Previous Experience in Leadership Roles
Prior to his current position, Bas Van Erk held several significant roles in various organizations. He worked at Meltwater in multiple capacities, including Director for Benelux & France from 2013 to 2015, and Director for DACH from 2012 to 2013. He also served as Managing Director at Oxyme from 2017 to 2018 and as Global Commercial Director at Newzoo from 2018 to 2020. His experience spans multiple countries, including the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Educational Background
Bas Van Erk has a strong academic background with two advanced degrees. He earned a Master of Science (MSc) in International Business from the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, where he studied from 2001 to 2008. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Boğaziçi University, which he completed in 2005. This educational foundation supports his expertise in business strategy and management.
Expertise in Security Awareness Programs
Bas Van Erk specializes in creating GDPR-compliant awareness programs that utilize behavioral science to enhance security culture within organizations. He leads a team that focuses on delivering personalized learning experiences aimed at transforming employees into proactive defenders against online threats. His work includes developing smart attack simulations to identify vulnerabilities and measure the return on investment of awareness initiatives.
Early Career and Internships
Bas Van Erk began his career with a research internship at SNV in Dar es Salaam in 2007, where he worked for six months. He also gained experience at Meltwater as a Sales Consultant in 2008 and later as a Sales Manager in 2009. These early roles contributed to his development in sales and strategic partnership building, laying the groundwork for his future leadership positions.