50 Best Cybersecurity Keynote Speakers in the USA

Introduction

If you are searching for the best cybersecurity keynote speakers in the USA, you already know the challenge. Most lists recycle the same handful of well-known names, without telling you which speaker actually fits your audience, your industry, or your budget. This directory changes that. Every person included has been selected based on substantive cybersecurity credentials, demonstrated speaking impact, and active contribution to the field in 2025 and 2026.

The stakes have never been higher. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025, the global average cost of a data breach reached US$4.88 million, a 10% increase from the previous year and the highest figure on record. Verizon's 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report found that 68% of breaches still involved a human element, whether through phishing, credential theft, or social engineering.

The technology to prevent most attacks exists. What most organisations lack is a culture where every person understands that security is part of their job. That is exactly where a great cybersecurity keynote comes in. The right speaker does not simply deliver a list of threats.

They change the way your audience thinks and behaves.

For organisations whose teams need help building the leadership culture, communication habits, and accountability frameworks that make any security transformation possible, Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, delivers keynotes and workshops that directly address these people and culture challenges. To book Jonno for your next event, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

For more on finding the right speakers for your event, check out my blog post '35 Leading Keynote Speakers Globally on Cybersecurity' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-globally-cybersecurity.

Why Cybersecurity Keynotes Matter More Than Ever

The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 identified cybersecurity failure as one of the top five global risks over both a one-year and ten-year horizon, marking the first time it had held that position for two consecutive reporting periods. Cybercrime costs are projected to exceed US$10.5 trillion globally in 2026. Verizon's 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report confirmed that 62% of breaches involve human error.

Against this backdrop, the cybersecurity keynote speaker has become a genuinely strategic hire. The most effective speakers create moments of cultural inflection that no internal communication campaign can replicate. They give your leadership team permission to treat security investment as a boardroom priority. They give your frontline employees frameworks for secure behaviour that stick because they are built on psychology and storytelling, not compliance mandates and fear.

For organisations looking to build the leadership culture that underpins every effective security programme, Jonno White works with leadership teams to develop the communication habits, accountability structures, and team dynamics that allow security principles to actually take root. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your next event.

How This List Was Compiled

Every speaker in this directory was selected on three criteria. First, substantive cybersecurity credentials, meaning genuine expertise in the field through published work, institutional leadership, active practitioner experience, or a combination of all three. Second, demonstrated speaking impact, meaning a track record of delivering keynotes that change how audiences think and behave, supported by verifiable speaking history at major industry events. Third, current contribution to the field, meaning active engagement with cybersecurity thought leadership in 2025 and 2026.

The list draws on speaker rosters from RSA Conference, Black Hat USA, DEF CON, the WiCyS Conference, the Billington Cybersecurity Summit, the Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit, and a wide range of industry and association events. It spans diverse disciplines including human factors, threat intelligence, national security, ethical hacking, AI security, industrial control systems, governance, and digital forensics. Rather than recycling the same names that appear on every list, this directory brings together the leaders who deserve to be the first names every event organiser in this space considers.

Category One: National Security and Intelligence Veterans

The cybersecurity speakers with national security and intelligence backgrounds bring a category of authority and operational perspective that no amount of consulting experience can replicate. These individuals have worked at the highest levels of government, led the agencies defending the country's most critical systems, and operated at the intersection of policy, technology, and national security in ways that translate directly to the executive-level conversations your audience needs to have.

1. Jen Easterly

CEO, RSAC; Former Director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Jen Easterly is the CEO of RSAC, the organisation behind the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity conference, having previously served as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency under President Biden from 2021 through January 2025. At CISA she led the agency through some of the most significant cyber incidents of the modern era and built one of the most ambitious public-private cybersecurity partnership frameworks ever attempted. Her leadership of RSAC 2026, including her keynote conversation with former New Zealand Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Ardern, has positioned her as one of the most influential convening voices in the global cybersecurity community.

Her experience across US Army intelligence, the National Security Council, and CISA gives her a breadth of national security perspective that is unmatched in the corporate keynote market. She brings the practical and policy authority of someone who has both shaped national cyber strategy and stood in the breach during actual incidents, combined with a warmth and accessibility that makes her rare among speakers of her seniority. Best for: Corporate summits, government conferences, critical infrastructure events, and any audience that needs to understand why cybersecurity has become a matter of national and organisational survival.

2. Gen. Keith Alexander

Board of Directors, Amazon; Founder, IronNet Cybersecurity; Former Commander, US Cyber Command; Former Director, National Security Agency

Gen. Keith Alexander led the National Security Agency and US Cyber Command simultaneously from 2010 to 2014, overseeing the most consequential period in the history of American cyber defence. He is the founder of IronNet Cybersecurity, a company built on the principle of collective defence and threat intelligence sharing across organisations and sectors. His current board membership at Amazon adds a corporate governance dimension to his already substantial government and military credentials.

His keynotes draw on firsthand operational experience defending the country's most sensitive systems against the world's most sophisticated state-sponsored actors, combined with a business leader's understanding of how cyber risk translates to boardroom decision-making. Best for: Executive summits, government and defence industry events, financial sector conferences, and boards looking for a speaker who can make the national security case for investment.

3. Eric O'Neill

CEO, The Georgetown Group; Former FBI Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence Operative; Author

Eric O'Neill is among the most compelling storytellers in the cybersecurity speaking world, drawing on his experience as the undercover FBI operative who helped capture Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in US history. His story inspired the film Breach, and he has used his firsthand understanding of how insiders exploit trust and technology to build a powerful keynote practice around cyber espionage, insider threats, and proactive security culture. His recent book Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime became a national bestseller in October 2025.

O'Neill brings the strategic and psychological dimensions of cybercrime to life in ways that technical presenters rarely can, helping audiences understand that the most dangerous threats are not always external. Best for: Corporate conferences, technology events, financial services, and any audience that benefits from understanding the human dimension of insider threats and cyber espionage.

4. Theresa Payton

CEO, Fortalice Solutions; First Female White House Chief Information Officer

Theresa Payton made history as the first female White House Chief Information Officer, serving under President George W. Bush after holding executive technology leadership roles in the banking and financial services sector. Today she is the CEO and founder of Fortalice Solutions, a top-ranked cybersecurity consulting firm named among the Global Hot 150 Cybersecurity Companies by Cybersecurity Ventures. She is a co-inventor and US patent holder in security design and a recognised thought leader on AI, privacy, and digital trust.

Payton is among the most media-fluent cybersecurity communicators working today, a regular voice on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and CBS News. Her ability to make complex cybersecurity concepts immediately accessible to non-technical audiences makes her one of the most versatile and in-demand speakers in the market. Best for: Corporate events with mixed technical and business audiences, financial sector conferences, healthcare, and any event requiring a speaker who combines government credentials with high media visibility.

5. Nicole Perlroth

Founding Partner, Silver Buckshot Ventures; Cybersecurity Author and Advisor

Nicole Perlroth spent a decade as the lead cybersecurity reporter at The New York Times, breaking major stories about Russian hacks of nuclear plants and elections, North Korean attacks on Sony Pictures and Bangladesh banks, and Chinese cyberattacks against American businesses. Her New York Times bestselling book This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends brought the global cyber arms race to a mainstream audience. She delivered the keynote at Black Hat USA 2025 titled 'The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice.'

Her keynotes translate her decade of deep investigative access into a picture of the threat landscape that no government briefing or technical briefing can replicate. She is one of a small number of speakers who can speak credibly both to C-suite executives and to specialist security professionals. Best for: Executive conferences, policy forums, technology summits, and any audience that needs to understand the geopolitical dimension of cyber threats.

6. Carol Rollie Flynn

Former Senior CIA Executive; Former President, Foreign Denial and Deception Committee

Carol Rollie Flynn brings 30 years of CIA operational experience to the keynote stage, including her service as former President of the Foreign Denial and Deception Committee, one of the most senior positions in US intelligence concerned with understanding how adversaries deceive and manipulate. Her keynotes integrate national security strategy with organisational risk management, helping leaders understand the psychology and strategy behind sophisticated adversaries.

Her depth of experience in reading adversarial intent, anticipating deception, and making high-stakes decisions under uncertainty translates directly into leadership lessons for corporate executives facing equally complex threat environments. Best for: Executive leadership events, government and defence sector conferences, financial services, and any audience focused on strategic risk and organisational resilience.

7. Dmitri Alperovitch

Executive Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator; Co-Founder, CrowdStrike

Dmitri Alperovitch co-founded CrowdStrike, which became one of the world's leading cybersecurity companies, serving as its CTO for over a decade before leaving to chair the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a non-profit focused on American prosperity and global leadership in technology and security. He is the author of a national bestselling book on cybersecurity policy and delivered a keynote at RSAC 2025 on the strategic dimensions of the current cyber threat environment.

Alperovitch speaks at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and geopolitics with an authority that comes from having built one of the defining companies of the cybersecurity era. He is particularly strong for audiences navigating the relationship between AI adoption and cyber risk. Best for: Executive and C-suite events, corporate strategy summits, technology investor conferences, and events focused on AI security and geopolitical cyber risk.

8. Chris Inglis

Former US National Cyber Director; MITRE Trustee; Former NSA Deputy Director

Chris Inglis served as the first US National Cyber Director, a role created by Congress to coordinate national cyber policy across federal departments and provide strategic leadership on America's cyber posture. He previously served as Deputy Director of the National Security Agency for eight years. He delivered a keynote at Black Hat USA 2025 titled 'From Slide Rules to GenAI: Musings of a Graybeard Public Servant on What's Changing, What's Not, and What Should.'

His keynotes are notable for their combination of historical depth, policy expertise, and direct engagement with the hardest questions about how governments, organisations, and individuals should think about their shared responsibility for cyber defence. He currently serves as a trustee at MITRE. Best for: Government and public sector events, policy forums, executive leadership summits, and any audience interested in how federal cyber strategy shapes the context in which organisations operate.

9. MK Palmore

Director, Office of the CISO, Google Cloud; Retired FBI Executive; CEO and Founder, Apogee Global RMS

MK Palmore served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Cybersecurity Investigations for the FBI's San Francisco field office before transitioning to Google Cloud, where he now serves as Director in the Office of the CISO, advising organisations on building and maturing their security programmes. He is also the CEO and founder of Apogee Global RMS, an enterprise risk management consultancy. His combination of federal law enforcement experience and current corporate security leadership is rare and valuable.

Palmore's keynotes address cyber risk leadership, diversity and inclusion in the security workforce, and the practical realities of building enterprise security capability. Best for: Corporate diversity and technology events, financial services, any audience that needs a speaker bridging federal experience and private sector security leadership.

10. Alex Stamos

Adjunct Professor and CISAC Fellow, Stanford University; Former Chief Security Officer, Facebook

Alex Stamos served as Chief Security Officer at Facebook, where he led a team of hundreds of engineers and researchers focused on platform safety and security, and was previously CISO of Yahoo. He is now an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University, a fellow at the Center for International Security and Cooperation, and a visiting Hoover Scholar. He has delivered keynotes at Black Hat USA and RSAC addressing how the security industry can better serve ordinary people.

Stamos brings a combination of operational credibility from building and leading security teams at global scale and an intellectual rigour from his academic work that makes him particularly valuable for audiences wrestling with the strategic and human dimensions of large-scale security operations. Best for: Technology company events, university and academic forums, executive leadership summits, and audiences interested in AI safety and large-scale platform security.

Category Two: Active CISOs and Practitioner Executives

The speakers in this category are defined by the fact that they are currently working in or leading cybersecurity organisations, not simply speaking about work they once did. Their keynotes carry the authority of people who are managing live threats, making daily security decisions, and operating inside the security economy right now.

11. Bruce Schneier

Security Technologist, Researcher, and Lecturer, Inrupt; Author

Bruce Schneier is one of the most influential security technologists in the world, the author of more than 15 books including New York Times bestsellers Data and Goliath and Applied Cryptography, and currently a Security Technologist, Researcher, and Lecturer at Inrupt and a Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. He spoke at RSAC 2025 and RSAC 2026. His most recent book Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship was co-authored with data scientist Nathan E. Sanders.

Schneier's keynotes translate decades of cryptography, policy, and systems thinking into clear, actionable insights about how security really works and why so much of it fails. His candour and analytical depth have made him one of the most trusted voices in the field for 30 years. Best for: Technology and policy audiences, executive strategy events, AI security conferences, and any audience that wants a rigorous, evidence-based perspective on where cybersecurity is heading.

12. Kevin Mandia

Former CEO, Mandiant; Global Authority on Cyber Incident Response

Kevin Mandia is among the most respected practitioners in the history of cyber incident response, having led Mandiant through some of the most consequential breach investigations of the past two decades, including the SolarWinds investigation, before Mandiant was acquired by Google. He is an internationally recognised expert on how organisations actually get breached, what happens in the first hours after an incident, and what the gap between stated security posture and actual security resilience really looks like from the inside.

Mandia's keynotes draw on firsthand knowledge of the world's most sophisticated cyberattacks and the organisations that survived them, giving audiences a level of operational honesty about threat realities that is difficult to find elsewhere. Best for: Executive security conferences, financial services, healthcare, and any audience that benefits from understanding the real anatomy of a breach.

13. Robert Herjavec

CEO, Cyderes; Panelist, ABC's Shark Tank

Robert Herjavec is the founder and CEO of Cyderes, one of North America's leading managed security service providers, and is widely recognised through his role on ABC's Shark Tank. His keynotes bring the entrepreneurial energy and commercial directness of a CEO who has built and scaled a major cybersecurity business, combined with the visibility and storytelling skill of a broadcaster. He speaks regularly on topics including cyber resilience, business risk, digital leadership, and building security-conscious organisational culture.

Herjavec's particular strength is his ability to connect with general business audiences who do not have a security background, making the case for cyber investment in terms of business value and survival rather than technical jargon. Best for: Corporate leadership events, general business conferences, sales kickoffs, and any event that needs a cybersecurity perspective delivered for a non-technical executive audience.

14. Mark Lynd

Head of Executive Advisory and Strategy, Netsync; 5x CIO and CISO; Thinkers360 Top 5 Globally in AI and Cybersecurity

Mark Lynd is a five-time CIO and CISO with 25 years of experience across commercial, enterprise, public sector, and education organisations. He is currently Head of Executive Advisory and Strategy at Netsync and was ranked number 1 globally in cybersecurity by Thinkers360 in 2023, with a current Top 5 global ranking in both AI and cybersecurity. He is the author of A Leader's Playbook for Cyber Insurance, Cyber War, and Cybersecurity Life Skills for Teens.

Lynd's keynotes are built around named frameworks derived from his daily operator experience, including the 72-Hour IR Executive Playbook and the Cyber Insurance Readiness Score. He serves a wide range of audiences including enterprise, SLED, and education, and is one of the few speakers who can address the intersection of AI and cybersecurity with current operational credibility. Best for: Enterprise security events, government and SLED conferences, boards and C-suite briefings, and any audience that needs a speaker combining active practitioner depth with strategic framework thinking.

15. Dan Lohrmann

Field CISO, Presidio; Author; Award-Winning Cybersecurity Blogger

Dan Lohrmann is an internationally recognised cybersecurity leader who serves as Field CISO for the public sector at Presidio, where he advises government clients on security strategy and risk management. He co-authored Cyber Mayday and the Day After: A Leader's Guide to Preparing, Managing, and Recovering from Inevitable Business Disruptions with Shannon Vavra, has been named CSO of the Year by SC Magazine, and attended RSAC 2026 where he published a widely shared analysis of major event trends.

Lohrmann's keynotes draw on more than 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, with a particular strength in the government, education, and public infrastructure space. His accessibility and depth make him one of the most effective choices for audiences who need a practitioner's perspective delivered without technical jargon. Best for: Government and public sector conferences, state and local government events, education sector events, and association audiences looking for cybersecurity leadership insight.

16. Shira Rubinoff

President, Prime Tech Partners; Author, Cyber Minds

Shira Rubinoff is a cybersecurity executive, global keynote speaker, and author who has built two cybersecurity product companies and is the President of Prime Tech Partners. She is the author of Cyber Minds, a book focused on the human factors dimension of cybersecurity, and holds several patents in areas related to the application of psychology to information technology and security. She has been named one of New Jersey's Best 50 Women in Business.

Rubinoff's keynotes address the intersection of human behaviour, AI, and cybersecurity at an executive level, helping audiences understand that security culture is not a technology problem but a people and leadership problem. Best for: Corporate leadership events, diversity and inclusion conferences, women in technology events, and any audience focused on the human factors dimension of security culture.

17. Dr. Eric Cole

Founder and CEO, Secure Anchor Consulting; Former CIA; Author

Dr. Eric Cole is a cybersecurity pioneer with more than 20 years of professional experience including roles at the CIA, Lockheed Martin, and McAfee, as well as serving as a founding faculty member of the SANS Institute. He is the founder and CEO of Secure Anchor Consulting and the author of eight books on cybersecurity topics. His keynotes distil complex technical concepts into clear strategic insights for executive audiences, with a particular focus on proactive cyber defence and risk management.

Cole's ability to translate deep technical knowledge into business-level strategy makes him particularly valuable for executive audiences who need to make high-stakes decisions about security investment without a technical background. Best for: Executive security events, board briefings, healthcare and financial services conferences, and any audience that needs complex cybersecurity concepts translated into actionable leadership decisions.

18. Marc Goodman

Former FBI Futures Working Group; Author, Future Crimes

Marc Goodman is the author of Future Crimes: Inside the Digital Underground and the Battle for Our Connected World, which became an international bestseller and has been published in more than 20 languages. He served on the FBI's Futures Working Group, has advised the United Nations and NATO on cybercrime and technology policy, and has built a speaking career around translating the most complex cybersecurity threats into accessible, urgent, and actionable narratives for executive audiences.

Goodman's keynotes are known for their breadth, blending technology trends, criminal behaviour, and geopolitical risk into a single coherent picture of the threat landscape. Best for: Corporate summits, association conferences, financial services, healthcare, and any event that needs a speaker who can make the complexity of the cyber threat landscape immediately graspable for a general leadership audience.

19. Ann Johnson

Corporate Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, Microsoft

Ann Johnson is Corporate Vice President and Deputy CISO at Microsoft, where she drives all external engagement for the Microsoft Office of the CISO and leads security risk management, standards, and governance. She is a recognised thought leader on cybersecurity and a sought-after speaker specialising in cyber resilience, online fraud, and compliance. She presented as a main stage speaker at Black Hat USA 2024 and is consistently cited as one of the most active voices on enterprise security leadership.

Johnson's keynotes are grounded in her day-to-day experience leading Microsoft's external cybersecurity dialogue with the industry, giving her insight into what organisations across every sector are actually struggling with. Best for: Enterprise technology events, financial and insurance sector conferences, any audience focused on building resilient security programmes at scale.

20. Danny Jenkins

CEO and Co-Founder, ThreatLocker

Danny Jenkins is the CEO and Co-Founder of ThreatLocker, a fast-growing cybersecurity company built around default-deny security that has become one of the most talked-about companies in enterprise endpoint security. He is a leading practitioner advocate for Zero Trust as a genuine operational discipline and has delivered keynotes at Black Hat USA 2024 and Zero Trust World 2025. He brings more than two decades of experience building and securing corporate networks.

Jenkins is distinctive among this list for being the CEO of a current high-growth cybersecurity company who speaks from daily operational experience. Best for: Technology and security practitioner events, enterprise IT conferences, and any audience that needs a speaker with direct operational credibility on Zero Trust implementation and ransomware prevention.

Category Three: Ethical Hackers, Investigators and Social Engineering Experts

Some of the most effective cybersecurity keynotes come from people who have spent their careers thinking like attackers. This category includes ethical hackers, investigative journalists who have broken the most important cybersecurity stories of the past decade, and specialists in the social engineering techniques that remain the most common and most successful attack vector in the world.

21. Rachel Tobac

CEO, SocialProof Security; Ethical Hacker; Former CISA Technical Advisory Council

Rachel Tobac is the CEO of SocialProof Security, where she helps organisations protect their data through training and penetration testing focused on social engineering threats. She won second place in DEF CON's Social Engineering Capture the Flag competition three years in a row and served on the CISA Technical Advisory Council under Director Jen Easterly. She keynoted the 2025 RH-ISAC Cyber Intelligence Summit, the 2025 CMMC CON conference, and Rapid7's 2026 Global Cybersecurity Summit.

Tobac's live hacking demonstrations are among the most effective cybersecurity keynote experiences available. She typically selects a volunteer from the audience, demonstrates in real time how an attacker would gather intelligence on them and execute a social engineering attack, then walks through the practical defences. Best for: Corporate security awareness events, technology conferences, financial services, retail, healthcare, and any audience that needs to understand the human side of cyber threats through direct demonstration.

22. Brian Krebs

Founder, KrebsOnSecurity; Author, Spam Nation

Brian Krebs is the founder of KrebsOnSecurity, one of the most widely read and respected investigative cybersecurity blogs in the world, and a former reporter at The Washington Post. His book Spam Nation: The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime was named one of the top ten cybercrime books by The Guardian. He has been named Cybersecurity Person of the Year by CISO MAG and received the President Award for Public Service from ISSA.

Krebs is one of a small number of speakers who can speak with genuine authority about how criminal organisations actually operate, because he has spent 20 years studying them from the front lines. Best for: General business security events, financial services, retail and e-commerce, and any audience that needs to understand how organised cybercrime works.

23. Hector Monsegur

Former Head of Anonymous/LulzSec; Security Researcher

Hector Monsegur, known online as Sabu, was the former leader of Anonymous and LulzSec before becoming a federal informant whose cooperation led to the arrest of multiple hackers. He subsequently rebuilt his life as a legitimate security researcher and now speaks on the psychology of hackers, the dynamics of cybercriminal communities, and the vulnerabilities that organisations leave open through poor security culture. His keynote at Zero Trust World 2025 with former FBI agent Chris Tarbell was one of the most reviewed sessions of that event.

Monsegur's story and perspective are genuinely unique in the speaking world. He gives audiences direct, firsthand insight into how cybercriminals think and what they look for. Best for: Security awareness events, corporate conferences looking for a memorable and unconventional perspective, and any audience that benefits from understanding the attacker's mindset from someone who lived it.

24. Robert Siciliano

Partner and Head of Training, Protect Now; Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)

Robert Siciliano is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS) who has built a high-volume keynote career around what he calls the Human Blindspot in cybersecurity. As Partner and Head of Training at Protect Now, he delivers high-energy, jargon-free sessions that he calls 'edutainment,' designed to overcome security fatigue in audiences that have heard standard compliance lectures many times.

Siciliano's strength is his ability to engage audiences across every demographic and technical level and leave them with both the mindset and the practical tools to change their security behaviour. His background as a former private investigator adds a layer of street-level intelligence to his presentation. Best for: Corporate all-hands and security awareness events, association conferences with mixed audiences, and any event where the primary challenge is getting non-technical employees to genuinely care about cybersecurity.

25. Kim Zetter

Independent Investigative Journalist; Author, Countdown to Zero Day

Kim Zetter is one of the world's leading cybersecurity investigative journalists, whose book Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon is widely considered the definitive account of the most sophisticated cyberattack ever discovered. She has written for WIRED, The New York Times Magazine, Politico, and The Washington Post and has repeatedly been voted one of the top ten security journalists in the United States by her peers and by security professionals. She delivered the keynote at Black Hat USA 2022.

Zetter's keynotes bring the depth and narrative skill of world-class investigative journalism to audiences who need to understand how the most consequential cyberattacks of the past decade actually happened. Best for: Executive conferences, national security and defence events, technology policy forums, and any audience that wants to understand the real history and future of state-sponsored cyber conflict.

Category Four: Human Factors, Psychology and Security Culture

The research is unambiguous. Technology alone does not create a secure organisation. The largest and most persistent attack surface in every organisation is human behaviour. The speakers in this category have built their careers around understanding why people make the security decisions they do and how to change that behaviour in lasting ways.

26. Perry Carpenter

Chief Human Risk Management Strategist, KnowBe4; Author

Perry Carpenter is Chief Human Risk Management Strategist at KnowBe4, the world's largest security awareness training company, and one of the most intellectually rigorous voices in the field of security culture and human behaviour change. He is the author of Transformational Security Awareness and The Security Culture Playbook, the latter co-authored with Kai Roer, which together represent the most comprehensive published framework for understanding and improving the human dimension of organisational security.

Carpenter's keynotes translate cognitive science, behavioural economics, and persuasion research into practical frameworks that security teams can deploy immediately, shifting security awareness from a compliance checkbox into a genuine driver of cultural change. Best for: Corporate security culture events, HR and people leadership conferences, financial services, healthcare, and any organisation looking to understand and address the root cause of security incidents.

27. Naomi Buckwalter

Senior Director, Product Security, Contrast Security; CISSP CISM; Keynote Speaker

Naomi Buckwalter is a cybersecurity leader with more than 20 years of experience across software engineering, security architecture, security engineering, and security executive leadership. She currently serves as Senior Director of Product Security at Contrast Security and holds both CISSP and CISM credentials. She has built a highly engaged LinkedIn audience through her work advocating for entry-level cybersecurity hiring and building pathways for people transitioning into the field.

Buckwalter's keynotes address what she sees as the sector's most important unsolved problem: the gap between the security workforce the industry needs and the talent it is actually developing and retaining. Best for: Security practitioner conferences, HR and talent leadership events, university and education audiences, and any organisation committed to building cybersecurity capability from within its workforce.

28. Adam Levin

Founder, CyberScout; Author, Swiped

Adam Levin is the founder of CyberScout, a leading provider of identity theft protection services, and the author of the bestselling book Swiped: How to Protect Yourself in a World Full of Scammers, Phishers, and Identity Thieves. He is a nationally recognised expert on identity theft, privacy, and consumer protection whose keynotes deliver eye-opening insights into how personal data is weaponised and what individuals and organisations can do to protect it.

Levin's keynotes operate at the intersection of consumer protection and enterprise security. His accessible, non-technical approach and consumer-level storytelling makes him one of the most audience-friendly options on this list. Best for: Consumer-facing industry events, financial services and banking conferences, association events with mixed professional and personal relevance.

29. Rachel Wilson

Head of Data Security and Infrastructure Risk, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Former NSA Senior Executive

Rachel Wilson serves as Head of Data Security and Infrastructure Risk at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and previously served as a Senior Executive at the National Security Agency. Her dual background in government intelligence operations and financial sector security leadership gives her a perspective on risk management and threat intelligence that is rare even among senior security leaders.

Wilson's keynotes bring the rigour and operational precision of NSA-level intelligence work to the corporate risk management context. Best for: Financial services conferences, wealth management and investment sector events, corporate risk management forums, and any audience focused on the intersection of intelligence tradecraft and enterprise security.

30. Tyler Cohen Wood

Cyber Intelligence Expert; Former Defense Intelligence Agency

Tyler Cohen Wood is a cyber intelligence expert and former senior official with the Defense Intelligence Agency who has built a keynote career around making the realities of cyber warfare, digital privacy, and social media risk understandable to general audiences. She is the author of Catching the Catfishers: Disarm the Online Pretenders, Predators, and Perpetrators Who Are Out to Ruin Your Life.

Wood's keynotes bridge the gap between the classified world of government cyber intelligence and the everyday digital risks that employees and executives face in their professional and personal lives. Best for: Corporate security awareness events, financial services, healthcare, technology companies, and any audience that benefits from understanding how their personal digital footprint creates professional security risks.

Category Five: AI, Emerging Threats and Cybersecurity Innovation

The convergence of artificial intelligence with cybersecurity has produced a new generation of speakers who are working at the technical and policy frontier of the field. These voices are not simply commenting on AI from the outside. They are researchers, lawyers, practitioners, and advocates who are actively shaping how organisations and governments respond to the most rapidly evolving threat landscape in the history of cybersecurity.

31. Dawn Song

Professor, UC Berkeley; AI Security Research; MacArthur Fellow

Dawn Song is a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and one of the world's leading academic researchers in the security and privacy implications of AI and machine learning systems. She is a MacArthur Fellow and has been recognised with numerous awards for her contributions to computer security research, including her foundational work on adversarial machine learning, federated learning, and the security vulnerabilities inherent in AI systems.

Song's keynotes bring a level of technical depth and research credibility to the AI security conversation that practitioner speakers cannot match. Best for: Technology and AI security conferences, academic and research forums, enterprise AI adoption events, and any audience that needs to understand the security implications of AI deployment from a foundational research perspective.

32. Caitlin Sarian

CEO, Cybersecurity Girl; Multi-Award-Winning Cybersecurity Educator and Speaker

Caitlin Sarian, known globally as Cybersecurity Girl, has built the largest social media following of any cybersecurity educator in the world, with more than 2.4 million followers across platforms. She is a multi-award-winning cybersecurity leader, a 40 Under 40 recipient, and a keynote speaker and CEO who has dedicated her career to making cybersecurity accessible to the broadest possible audience. Her content referenced the Verizon 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report in a viral street interview format, reaching millions with cybersecurity education.

Sarian's keynotes are uniquely positioned to reach the audiences that traditional cybersecurity speakers miss: the non-technical employees, the consumers, and the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Best for: Corporate all-staff security awareness events, diversity in tech conferences, consumer-facing industry events, younger workforce events.

33. Jennifer Granick

Surveillance and Cybersecurity Counsel, ACLU; Author

Jennifer Granick is Surveillance and Cybersecurity Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union and one of the foremost legal experts in the United States on the intersection of cybersecurity, privacy, surveillance law, and civil liberties. She delivered a keynote at Black Hat USA 2025 titled 'Threat Modeling and Constitutional Law,' applying security threat modelling to the analysis of government surveillance and constitutional rights. Her book American Spies: Modern Surveillance, Why You Should Care, and What to Do About It remains a foundational work on digital surveillance.

Granick's keynotes bring a legal and constitutional dimension to the cybersecurity conversation that most technical speakers cannot. Best for: Technology and privacy industry events, government conferences, legal sector events, and any audience focused on data governance, surveillance policy, and civil liberties implications of cybersecurity.

34. Leeza Garber

Cybersecurity and Privacy Attorney; Adjunct Professor; Keynote Speaker

Leeza Garber is a cybersecurity and privacy attorney, keynote speaker, and Adjunct Professor who speaks at the intersection of law, technology, and security. She helps organisations understand the legal dimensions of their cybersecurity obligations, the regulatory landscape they operate in, and the specific steps they need to take to protect themselves from legal liability as well as digital harm.

Garber's keynotes are particularly valuable for compliance-focused audiences and for organisations navigating the increasingly complex regulatory environment around data privacy and cybersecurity. Best for: Legal and compliance sector events, corporate governance conferences, healthcare, financial services, and any audience that needs to understand the legal consequences of cybersecurity decisions.

35. Katie Moussouris

Founder and CEO, Luta Security; Creator, Hack the Pentagon; Co-Author, ISO 29147 and ISO 30111

Katie Moussouris is the founder and CEO of Luta Security, launched immediately after she led the creation of Hack the Pentagon, the first-ever bug bounty programme of the US government. During her tenure at Microsoft, she started Microsoft Vulnerability Research and created the company's first bug bounty programme. She is the co-author and co-editor of ISO 29147 (vulnerability disclosure) and ISO 30111 (vulnerability handling processes). She delivered the keynote at BSidesSF 2026 on AI and labour.

Moussouris stands at the intersection of vulnerability research, policy, and the future of the security workforce. Best for: Technology and vulnerability research events, AI and workforce conferences, government and policy forums, and any audience focused on the future of the security profession.

Category Six: OT, Critical Infrastructure and Specialist Sectors

Protecting operational technology, industrial control systems, and critical infrastructure is a discipline that requires a different order of knowledge from general enterprise cybersecurity. The speakers in this category are specialists in the sectors and technologies that, if compromised, have consequences that extend far beyond data loss.

36. Lesley Carhart

Principal Threat Analyst, Dragos; ICS and OT Security Specialist

Lesley Carhart is a Principal Threat Analyst at Dragos, the leading industrial cybersecurity company, and one of the most respected voices in the operational technology and industrial control systems security field. She has spent her career researching and responding to the specific threats facing critical infrastructure operators in energy, utilities, manufacturing, and transportation, and regularly presents at major technical security conferences.

Carhart's keynotes are essential for any event where the audience includes professionals responsible for the security of operational technology, manufacturing systems, or critical infrastructure. Best for: Manufacturing, energy, utilities, and critical infrastructure events; OT and ICS security conferences; and any audience that needs a speaker who understands the specific threat landscape facing industrial organisations.

37. Heather Mahalik

Senior Vice President, Digital Intelligence, ManTech; Digital Forensics Expert

Heather Mahalik is Senior Vice President of Digital Intelligence at ManTech and one of the leading digital forensics and incident response practitioners in the United States, with experience spanning government, military, and enterprise investigations. She is an author, educator, and speaker who is consistently recognised among the top voices in the digital forensics and incident response community.

Mahalik's keynotes bring the operational depth of someone who has worked at the highest levels of digital forensics investigation. Best for: Security operations and incident response conferences, government and defence sector events, technical security practitioner audiences, and any event focused on the practical realities of digital investigations.

38. Eric Rosenbach

Former Pentagon Chief of Staff; Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security; Faculty, Harvard Kennedy School

Eric Rosenbach served as Pentagon Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2017 and as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Security and Homeland Defense from 2013 to 2015, earning him the title 'Pentagon Cyber Czar' for his work leading the Department of Defense's cybersecurity transformation. He is now a faculty member at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he teaches on cybersecurity policy and national security leadership.

Rosenbach's keynotes sit at the intersection of technology leadership, national security, and executive decision-making under pressure. Best for: Executive leadership events, government and defence sector conferences, corporate strategy summits, and any audience that needs to understand how senior leaders in demanding security environments make consequential decisions.

39. Bilyana Lilly

Associate Director, Accenture; Cyber Risk and Information Warfare Specialist

Bilyana Lilly is an Associate Director at Accenture specialising in security management, information warfare, cyber risk, and business engagement. She presented at the 2026 RH-ISAC Cybersecurity Summit as a specialist on adversarial strategy and the specific risks facing retail and consumer-facing organisations. She advises organisations on strategies to strengthen resilience against sophisticated adversaries.

Lilly brings an analytical rigour and an international perspective to the cyber risk conversation grounded in both academic research and current consulting work. Best for: Retail and consumer-facing industry events, enterprise risk management conferences, financial sector events, and any audience that needs to understand the adversarial strategy dimension of cybersecurity risk.

40. Allison Nixon

Senior Leader, Unit 221B; Threat Intelligence and Cybercrime Expert

Allison Nixon is a senior leader at Unit 221B, a threat disruption company providing cybersecurity solutions for enterprises and law enforcement. She specialises in modern threat intelligence with a focus on youth-driven cybercrime ecosystems. Her work involves translating criminal network activity into actionable intelligence for investigations. She has served as an expert for major media outlets including 60 Minutes and The New York Times and presented at the 2026 RH-ISAC Cybersecurity Summit.

Nixon's keynotes offer insight into the specific criminal ecosystems that are driving some of the most damaging breaches affecting organisations today. Best for: Enterprise security events, retail and hospitality sector conferences, law enforcement and government events, and any audience focused on understanding current threat actors.

Category Seven: Board Governance, Policy and Risk Leadership

Cybersecurity is now a boardroom conversation, not just a technical one. The speakers in this category have operated at the intersection of national leadership, governance, and strategic risk management at the highest levels, and they translate those experiences into content that helps boards, executive teams, and policy leaders understand their specific responsibilities.

41. Adm. James Stavridis

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander; Partner and Vice Chairman, Carlyle Group

Admiral James Stavridis served as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, overseeing the defence of 28 nations and some of the most complex multinational security operations in modern history. He is now a Partner and Vice Chairman at the Carlyle Group and the author of multiple books on leadership and global security. His keynotes address the intersection of geopolitical risk, cyber warfare, and leadership in high-stakes environments.

Stavridis brings a command-level perspective on global security that is genuinely unusual in the keynote market. His experience leading a multinational military alliance combined with his current private equity leadership gives him credibility across both national security and corporate governance audiences. Best for: Corporate executive summits, financial sector and private equity events, national security conferences, and any board-level audience focused on geopolitical risk.

42. Tony Scott

President and CEO, Intrusion Inc.; Former US Chief Information Officer

Tony Scott served as the US Chief Information Officer under President Obama, where he oversaw the technology infrastructure and cybersecurity posture of the federal government. He is now the President and CEO of Intrusion Inc., a cybersecurity company. His career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, VMware, and General Motors, giving him a breadth of experience ranging from enterprise technology to national government.

Scott's keynotes address enterprise cybersecurity strategy, digital modernisation, and the specific challenges of managing cyber risk at the scale of federal government and global enterprise. Best for: Government and enterprise technology events, federal sector conferences, corporate digital transformation events, and board-level audiences focused on the intersection of technology strategy and cyber risk.

43. Matthew Olsen

Former US Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Former Director, National Counterterrorism Center

Matthew Olsen served as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center from 2011 to 2014 and subsequently served as US Assistant Attorney General for National Security. He has been a national security analyst for ABC News and is a lecturer at Harvard Law School. His keynotes address the intersection of cybersecurity, national security, counterterrorism, and the legal and policy frameworks that govern how organisations and governments respond to threats.

Olsen brings a legal and intelligence dimension to the cybersecurity conversation grounded in his experience at the highest levels of the US national security apparatus. Best for: Legal and compliance sector events, government and public policy conferences, financial services, and any executive audience focused on the regulatory and national security dimensions of cybersecurity.

44. Suzanne Spaulding

Former DHS Under Secretary; Senior Adviser, CSIS; Critical Infrastructure Expert

Suzanne Spaulding served as Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for protecting the nation's critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats. She is now a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a leading voice on critical infrastructure protection, election security, and the policy frameworks governing government-industry collaboration on national resilience.

Spaulding's keynotes address the specific risks facing critical infrastructure sectors including energy, water, transportation, and healthcare. Best for: Critical infrastructure sector events, government and public sector conferences, energy and utilities events, and any audience focused on the policy and governance dimensions of national cyber resilience.

45. Chuck Brooks

President, Brooks Consulting International; Adjunct Faculty, Georgetown University; IFSEC Number 2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer

Chuck Brooks is the President of Brooks Consulting International and Adjunct Faculty in Georgetown University's Applied Intelligence and Cybersecurity graduate programmes, where he teaches courses on risk management, homeland security, and cybersecurity. He held two senior presidential appointments, serving as the first Legislative Director of the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush. He was named one of LinkedIn's Top 5 Tech People to Follow and ranked number 2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer by IFSEC.

Brooks brings a combination of government policy expertise, academic rigour, and active thought leadership that makes him one of the most well-connected voices in the US cybersecurity ecosystem. Best for: Technology policy events, government and federal sector conferences, corporate risk and compliance events, and any audience that needs a speaker bridging academic research and practical policy expertise.

Category Eight: Emerging and Specialist Voices

The final category features speakers who bring specific and valuable perspectives to the cybersecurity keynote market that are not well-served by the broader names. These individuals are reshaping the conversation in areas including AI threat intelligence, workforce diversity, data ethics, and the day-to-day realities of building and leading security teams.

46. Sherrod DeGrippo

Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy, Microsoft; Cybersecurity Woman of the Year 2022

Sherrod DeGrippo is Director of Threat Intelligence Strategy at Microsoft, where she leads strategic threat intelligence work across the company. She was previously Vice President of Threat Research and Detection at Proofpoint, where she led a global team of threat researchers, malware reverse engineers, and threat intelligence analysts. She was named Cybersecurity Woman of the Year in 2022 and presented as a main stage speaker at Black Hat USA 2024.

DeGrippo's keynotes are grounded in current, operational threat intelligence work at the scale of one of the world's largest technology companies. Best for: Corporate security events, financial and technology sector conferences, threat intelligence and SOC audience events, and any organisation looking for a speaker with current, operational insight into the evolving threat landscape.

47. Confidence Staveley

Founder, CyberSafe Foundation; Award-Winning Cybersecurity Inclusion Advocate

Confidence Staveley is the founder of CyberSafe Foundation, an award-winning non-profit organisation working to promote cybersecurity awareness and build a more diverse cybersecurity workforce. She is a globally recognised cybersecurity professional and inclusion advocate who has spoken at events across multiple continents and has been recognised for her work making cybersecurity accessible to underrepresented communities. She speaks on security awareness, women in technology, and the global dimensions of the cyber talent shortage.

Staveley's keynotes are particularly valuable for organisations committed to building cybersecurity culture across diverse workforces and for events focused on the intersection of security awareness and inclusion. Best for: Diversity and inclusion events, corporate security awareness programmes, technology sector conferences, and any organisation committed to building a more representative cybersecurity workforce.

48. Wendy Nather

Senior Research Initiatives Director, 1Password; Co-Author, The Cloud Security Rules; Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame

Wendy Nather is the Senior Research Initiatives Director at 1Password and one of the most respected analyst voices in the security industry, having previously served as Director of Advisory CISOs at Duo Security (now Cisco) and as Research Director at the Retail ISAC and at independent analyst firm 451 Research. She is co-author of The Cloud Security Rules and was inducted into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame in 2021. She presented at RSAC 2026 and delivered a keynote at Security BSides Knoxville in 2025.

Nather's keynotes are notable for their intellectual honesty and willingness to challenge the industry's conventional wisdom on security investment and risk quantification. Best for: Security practitioner conferences, CISO and security leadership events, technology industry events, and any audience that values clear-eyed, evidence-based analysis of where the security industry is succeeding and where it is not.

49. Tanneasha Gordon

Partner and Global Data Ethics Leader, Deloitte

Tanneasha Gordon is a Partner and Global Data Ethics Leader at Deloitte, where she leads the firm's work on the ethical, responsible, and trustworthy use of data and AI across the organisation's global client base. She presented as a keynote speaker at the REFRESH Summit hosted by Black Girls In Cyber, speaking on the intersection of technology, ethics, and leadership. Her keynotes address data governance, AI ethics, privacy, and the responsibility organisations carry when they deploy technology affecting people's lives.

Gordon's keynotes are particularly valuable for organisations navigating the intersection of data strategy, AI adoption, and the ethical expectations their customers, employees, and regulators are increasingly applying. Best for: Data and AI ethics events, corporate governance conferences, diversity and inclusion in technology events, financial services, and any organisation trying to understand the ethical dimensions of its data and AI programmes.

50. Phil Venables

Former CISO, Google Cloud; Strategic Security Advisor; Board Governance and Cyber Risk Expert

Phil Venables served as CISO of Google Cloud for several years, during which he became one of the most respected voices on the intersection of cybersecurity and board governance. He has since transitioned to a strategic security advisor role, continuing to contribute to the field through writing, speaking, and advisory work. He is cited in Mark Lynd's 2026 authoritative list of top cybersecurity speakers specifically in the board governance and risk category.

Venables has built a substantial body of published thinking on how organisations should approach cyber risk at the board and executive level, making him particularly valuable for audiences that include board members and audit committee chairs who need to understand their fiduciary responsibilities in relation to cybersecurity risk.

His combination of hands-on experience building and leading security at one of the world's largest cloud platforms and his ongoing advisory and governance work gives him a perspective that bridges operational credibility and strategic leadership in a way few speakers in this space can match. Best for: Board and C-suite cybersecurity briefings, governance and risk management conferences, financial services and public company events, and any audience focused on translating cybersecurity risk into board-level accountability.

Want Help Implementing This?

Finding the right cybersecurity keynote speaker is only one part of building a genuinely secure organisation. The other part is building the leadership culture, communication habits, and accountability structures that allow security principles to take root and produce lasting behaviour change. This is where the role of a skilled facilitator becomes essential. Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, works with leadership teams at schools, corporates, and non-profits around the world to build exactly these foundations.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or offsite, email jonno@consultclarity.org. International travel is often far more affordable than clients expect.

Notable Voices We Almost Included

This directory focuses on speakers who are currently active in the US cybersecurity keynote market. Several names that appear regularly on similar lists were not included here because their primary work is now outside the US context, their speaking activity has significantly reduced in recent years, or their specific expertise is more directly aligned with the global list at consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-globally-cybersecurity rather than the USA-specific brief. Names that appear across every list in this space were deliberately not repeated here in favour of giving space to voices that every event organiser in this market should know and consider equally seriously.

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Speaker for Your Event

The most common mistake event organisers make when choosing a cybersecurity keynote speaker is optimising for name recognition over audience fit. A speaker who has impressive government credentials may be exactly the wrong choice for an audience of frontline employees who need practical behaviour change, not geopolitical analysis. And a technical expert who is brilliant in front of security practitioners may completely lose a boardroom audience of non-technical executives. The first question to ask is always: who is actually in the room, and what do they need to leave knowing, feeling, or deciding differently?

The second dimension to assess is the gap between the speaker's stated expertise and their actual current engagement with the field. Cybersecurity moves fast enough that a speaker whose knowledge is primarily historical may not be the right choice for an audience that needs to act on current intelligence. Look for evidence of active engagement: recent keynotes at major industry events, current institutional or practitioner roles, and published work from the past twelve to eighteen months.

The third dimension is delivery style and audience accessibility. Not every cybersecurity expert is a great communicator, and not every great communicator is a cybersecurity expert. Assess speaker showreel videos carefully and look for evidence that the speaker can engage non-technical audiences, not just specialist ones.

For organisations planning a cybersecurity event and wanting an additional workshop or facilitation component, Jonno White delivers Working Genius facilitation, DISC workshops, and leadership team offsites that help teams build the communication and accountability habits that make security culture possible. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your event needs.

How to Book a Cybersecurity Speaker in the USA: A Practical Guide

The standard booking process for a cybersecurity keynote speaker in the United States involves several steps. First, define your brief clearly before approaching any speaker or bureau. Your brief should include the event date, format, audience profile, key themes or questions you want addressed, session length, and your budget range.

Second, approach either the speaker directly through their website or via a speaker bureau. The major US speaker bureaus active in the cybersecurity space include Washington Speakers Bureau, BigSpeak, Leading Authorities, WWSG, and Speakers.com. Bureaus typically charge a commission built into the speaker fee rather than added on top.

Third, schedule a discovery call with your shortlisted speakers. The best cybersecurity speakers will ask probing questions about your audience, your event goals, and the specific problems you are trying to solve.

Regarding investment: cybersecurity keynote speaker fees in the USA typically range from around US$5,000 to $50,000 or more for established names. Fees of US$15,000 to $40,000 represent the middle tier where you will find active practitioners and experienced speakers with strong track records. Virtual keynotes typically attract fees 30 to 50 per cent lower than in-person rates.

Book major cybersecurity events three to six months in advance. For events in spring or autumn, which are peak conference seasons, booking early is essential.

For organisations whose events need both a keynote speaker and a facilitation or workshop component, Jonno White offers keynote speaking, Working Genius facilitation, DISC workshops, and executive team offsite facilitation globally. Many organisations find that flying Jonno in from Brisbane, Australia costs less than engaging high-profile local providers. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your event. Whether virtual or in person, reach out to jonno@consultclarity.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

How was this list of the best cybersecurity keynote speakers in the USA compiled?

Every speaker included was selected based on three criteria: substantive cybersecurity credentials demonstrated through published work, institutional leadership, or active practitioner experience; a verified track record of keynote speaking at major industry events in 2025 or 2026; and current active engagement with the cybersecurity field. The list draws on conference speaker rosters, speaker bureau listings, published research, and publicly available professional profiles to verify each person's current role and recent speaking activity.

What is the typical fee range for a cybersecurity keynote speaker in the USA?

Cybersecurity keynote speaker fees in the USA vary significantly based on the speaker's profile, demand, and the scale of your event. Entry-level or regional speakers typically range from US$5,000 to $15,000. Established practitioners and CISO-level executives with active speaking careers typically range from US$15,000 to $40,000. Former government officials and nationally recognised figures typically command US$40,000 or more.

Virtual keynotes are typically priced 30 to 50 per cent below in-person rates.

Which cybersecurity speakers are best for non-technical audiences?

Several speakers on this list are particularly well-suited for mixed or non-technical audiences. Theresa Payton, Eric O'Neill, Brian Krebs, Rachel Tobac, Robert Herjavec, Robert Siciliano, and Adam Levin all have strong track records of engaging executive and general business audiences without requiring technical background knowledge. For audiences of frontline employees who need practical security awareness, Rachel Tobac and Robert Siciliano are among the most effective choices, while for executive leadership audiences focused on boardroom risk, Jen Easterly, Gen. Keith Alexander, and Phil Venables are particularly strong.

Can I hire someone to facilitate team sessions or workshops around the cybersecurity keynote?

Yes. A keynote is often most effective when it is followed by structured facilitation that helps leadership teams translate the ideas they have heard into specific decisions and commitments. Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, works with leadership teams to build exactly the communication habits, accountability frameworks, and team dynamics that allow security principles to take root. To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

How far in advance should I book a cybersecurity keynote speaker?

For major cybersecurity conferences and events, booking three to six months in advance is strongly recommended, particularly for events in spring or autumn. Many of the most in-demand speakers on this list have committed calendars that fill quickly in periods around RSA Conference and Black Hat USA.

What industries most commonly hire cybersecurity keynote speakers?

The highest demand for cybersecurity keynote speakers comes from financial services and banking, healthcare, technology and SaaS companies, retail and consumer goods, government and public sector, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and legal and professional services. The specific speaker who is right for your event depends heavily on your industry context and the specific risks and regulations your audience faces.

Final Thoughts

The 50 speakers in this directory represent the full spectrum of what the US cybersecurity keynote market has to offer in 2026. From the intelligence chiefs who have defended the nation's most critical systems to the ethical hackers who make live demonstrations of social engineering attacks, from the practitioner executives running active security operations to the human factors specialists who are changing how organisations think about security culture, this list has been built to give every event organiser a genuinely comprehensive starting point.

The selection process has prioritised speakers who are currently active, credibly credentialled, and capable of engaging non-technical audiences alongside specialist ones. It has also prioritised geographic, disciplinary, and experiential diversity, because the best cybersecurity programme for your event is the one that matches your audience's specific context, not the one that repeats the same familiar names.

For organisations that need help building the leadership foundation that makes any security transformation stick, Jonno White works with schools, corporates, and non-profits around the world to develop the communication, accountability, and team dynamics that allow security principles to move from keynote stage to daily practice. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss how Jonno can support your next event or team development programme. Many organisations find that international travel is far more affordable than expected, and Jonno works virtually and in person across the USA, UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and Europe.

For more on finding speakers for your events, check out '50 Best Keynote Speakers on AI in the USA' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-ai-usa and '50 Best Business Speakers in New York City' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/business-speakers-new-york-city.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and non-profits around the world. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230+ episodes reaching listeners in 150+ countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000+ participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements.

Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

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Keep reading: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/keynote-speakers-globally-cybersecurity