Educated at Leiden University (Dutch Law and History), after which he was enlisted in the Royal Military Constabulary and trained as a reserve officer, Robert Spronk spend most of his professional career as an intelligence officer in the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), at operational, tactical and strategic levels. Before his retirement in 2021 as Director of Operations he was responsable for all domestic and foreign intelligence operations, including  Cyber operations and Sigint. His responsability also included  foreign cooperation, liaison, foreign assistance programs and Governement Communications Security. AIVD board member and acting Deputy Director-General.  Robert Spronk is currently an independed consultant  on security matters.