Keren Elazari

Keren Elazari is an internationally recognised cybersecurity authority, TED speaker and strategic advisor, widely regarded for reframing how organisations understand cyber risk. Known as “The Friendly Hacker”, Keren has built a global reputation for translating complex cyber threats into strategic business insights. As the Founder of Leading Cyber Ladies, she has also become a leading voice in advancing diversity within cybersecurity, while her widely read newsletter provides expert analysis on emerging threats, ethical hacking and digital resilience. Having delivered hundreds of keynotes across six continents for organisations including Google, Deutsche Telekom, AXA, Mastercard, Allianz, SAP and Cisco, Keren is consistently hired to equip businesses with actionable cyber intelligence.

Keren’s career is rooted in deep technical and strategic expertise. With an MA in Security Studies and a globally recognised CISSP certification, she has held critical roles across the cybersecurity ecosystem. She has worked as an Information Security Architect at iTcon, an Operational Security Expert at Matrix and a Cyber Security Business Development Manager at Verint, giving her hands on experience in both technical defence and commercial strategy. Alongside her corporate roles, she founded BSidesTLV, one of the largest hacker community events, and Leading Cyber Ladies in Tel Aviv, a professional network supported by Microsoft, CheckPoint and SAP that champions female cybersecurity talent. She also contributes to the future of the industry as a Senior Researcher at Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Centre and supports HackeRiot.org, an initiative focused on opening cybersecurity careers to women.

Keren’s influence extends far beyond the cybersecurity community through her high-profile accolades and media presence. She made history as the first Israeli woman to deliver a TED talk, with her talk  “Hackers: The Internet’s Immune System” selected as one of TED’s Most Powerful Ideas. She has since delivered the TEDx talk “Heroes & Anti Heroes”, and has been recognised as one of Forbes Israel’s 50 most influential women. As co-author of the Amazon best-selling book ‘Women in Tech’ and a contributor to WIRED UK, the Financial Times and i24 News, Keren regularly shapes global discourse on cybersecurity. Her work has also been featured on CNN, Netflix, The New York Times, Der Spiegel and Business Insider, including a Forbes Israel cover feature.

As a cybersecurity speaker, Keren Elazari offers a rare combination of technical authority, strategic foresight and engaging storytelling. She draws on real world experience advising global organisations to deliver talks on ethical hacking, AI driven threats, cyber warfare, disinformation and organisational resilience. Her ability to position hackers as an essential component of digital defence challenges conventional thinking and resonates strongly with business leaders navigating increasing cyber risk. Whether speaking at the NATO International Conference on Cyber Conflict, ITBN Security Conference or chairing global cyber forums, Keren delivers practical, forward looking insights that enable organisations to build trust, strengthen security frameworks and turn cyber risk into a competitive advantage.

In October 2023 we sat down virtually with Keren Elazari and discussed her top tips for businesses wanting to prevent cybercrime as well as what you should do if you are financially extorted by hackers. Watch our exclusive interview with Keren Elazari.