HOW 25-YEAR-OLD ETHICAL HACKER NIELS AERTS BUILT ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST ADVANCED OFFENSIVE CYBERSECURITY FIRMS

At just 25 years old, entrepreneur and ethical hacker Niels Aerts is rapidly emerging as one of Europe's most distinctive security founders. While most cybersecurity firms stay trapped in predictable consulting models and shallow pentesting routines, Aerts built XPOSE Security into a high-impact offensive security company operating with the mindset and methodology typically seen in nation-state level threat groups.

Aerts started hacking at 16-not as a casual hobby, but by studying the same techniques used by advanced threat actors: persistence, lateral movement, escalation, and creative exploit chaining. That early immersion shaped the foundation of XPOSE Security, which today supports organizations responsible for over €680 billion in digital assets.

His client portfolio includes Euroclear, Eurocontrol, Starbucks, Liantis, Arvesta, Digipolis, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of Belgium, Quranium Quantum Computing, and multiple Flemish and federal government entities, as well as companies across fintech, digital banking, blockchain, and financial infrastructure.

As a founder, Aerts is known for his direct, pragmatic operating style and his refusal to participate in the "security theater" that dominates the industry.
"Most cybersecurity companies sell comfort, not security," he says.
"Executives don't need pretty reports-they need to understand how they can actually get hacked, and how fast."

This no-nonsense positioning has attracted high-trust organizations that want actionable insights rather than presentations. Aerts takes the offensive mindset he learned early on and applies it to entrepreneurship:

- fast iteration
- asymmetric advantage
- ruthless prioritization
- zero legacy constraints

"My company scales by doing the opposite of large security firms," he says.
"No bureaucracy. No generic audits. Just offensive expertise turned into real business risk clarity."

Under Aerts' leadership, XPOSE Security introduced a suite of premium services, including Hacking Investigations-multi-month, deep-dive attack simulations that map out how real attackers would penetrate an organization long before criminals ever attempt it.

This year marks an acceleration phase for Aerts. With increasing demand from financial institutions, digital service providers, and government organizations seeking APT-level insight, he is establishing himself as one of the most promising young founders in the European cybersecurity arena.

About Niels Aerts
Niels Aerts is a 25-year-old Belgian ethical hacker and the founder of XPOSE Security. He specializes in offensive cybersecurity, APT-style breach simulations, cloud exploitation analysis, and securing high-value financial and governmental environments. He advises fintech companies, banking platforms, and government agencies on advanced cyber-defense strategy and is known for his direct, attacker-driven approach to modern security.

XPOSE Security
Grote Baan 354, 3530 Houthalen-Helchteren
niels@xposesecurity.com

XPOSE Security is a Belgian cybersecurity company built on a simple principle: organizations deserve clear, honest, and practical protection-without the noise, overcomplication, or corporate theatrics that dominate the industry.

Founded by Niels Aerts, a 25-year-old ethical hacker and entrepreneur, XPOSE Security was created as a counter-movement to the traditional security market. Instead of slow processes and generic reports, the company delivers straightforward communication, fast execution, and advice that actually helps businesses move forward.

XPOSE supports organizations that operate in high-trust and high-impact environments: financial institutions, government entities, digital banking platforms, and ambitious tech companies. These clients don't come to XPOSE for templates-they come for real insights, honest feedback, and someone who can explain digital risks in plain language.

What defines XPOSE Security is its approach:
- No jargon. No excuses. Just clarity.
- Lean operations that prioritize speed and quality.
- A founder who stays directly involved in every engagement.
- Solutions that work in real life, not just on paper.

Based in Belgium, XPOSE Security is growing quickly through word-of-mouth and a strong reputation for delivering results without the typical corporate complexity. The company remains intentionally selective with its clients, ensuring every project receives full attention and real accountability.

For XPOSE Security, cybersecurity isn't a service-it's a responsibility. Every engagement reflects that philosophy: honest guidance, hands-on execution, and protection that holds up when it matters.

This release was published on openPR.