Maria Genova

About Maria Genova

Maria Genova, author and investigative journalist, became one of the most requested female speakers in the Netherlands in the field of privacy, identity fraud, and information security after her bestseller ‘Komt een vrouw bij de h@cker’. Her practical and interactive lectures attract full audiences. Through her enthusiasm and passion for the subject, she convinces everyone to seriously consider the topics of privacy and cybercrime, and she clearly demonstrates how and why through concrete examples.

Maria is not an IT expert and therefore does not use difficult words or jargon. She explains everything very clearly, in an engaging manner, and provides many tips. She shows how easily the computer networks of many companies can be hacked through their own employees and how hackers misuse the information they find. Employees often unknowingly play into the hands of fraudsters and hackers. She also illustrates the significant consequences of identity fraud when customer data is stolen. Identity fraud is the fastest-growing form of crime. Adults and teenagers share information online without realizing that someone could exploit it. But the consequences can be enormous.

Maria provides participants with many tips to enhance their digital security. For example, how do you remember dozens of passwords, and is Wi-Fi really safe? Are companies allowed to copy your passport or ID card, and what is the best way to secure your computer and mobile device against hackers? How do you distinguish a genuine invoice from a fake one, and how can you tell if an email attachment is safe? Participants are always very pleased with the many practical tips. The most common feedback after the lecture is: “This was an eye-opener.”

Many companies and organizations have invited Maria Genova for awareness sessions for their employees. She has given lectures for companies such as KPN, ING, Schiphol, Eneco, Achmea, PWC, De Telegraaf Media Groep, PostNL, BOL.com, Delta Lloyd, GasUnie, De Nederlandsche Bank, The Walt Disney Company, as well as various ministries, dozens of municipalities, healthcare institutions, universities, business associations, housing corporations, IT companies, educational institutions, etc. She is infectious, enthusiastic, and engages in a lot of interaction with the audience to get everyone involved.

Maria Genova was 19 when she came to the Netherlands. She graduated from the Academy for Journalism in Tilburg and worked for various newspapers and magazines. She has since authored many books, including several bestsellers. She has written books on failing youth care, lover boys, sexting, hackers, and identity fraud. Her book ‘Komt een vrouw bij de h@cker’ became a hit in the business world. Her book ‘Man is stoer, vrouw is hoer’ became a bestseller. In ‘Vrouwen te koop’, Genova brought various injustices in the Netherlands to light, leading to parliamentary questions.