Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026: Why Businesses Should Book a Cyber Security Speaker

Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026 offers businesses an opportunity to strengthen employee awareness and address evolving digital threats. However, making cyber security relevant to every department can be challenging. Booking an expert cyber security speaker can help organisations engage employees, improve understanding and encourage meaningful conversations about workplace security.

What Are the Biggest Cyber Security Threats Facing Businesses in 2026?

Businesses face cyber security threats that can disrupt operations, expose sensitive information and create financial losses. Understanding these risks is essential for developing effective cyber security risk management strategies. Phishing remains a significant concern, with attackers using fraudulent emails and messages to trick employees into revealing credentials or transferring money. Ransomware presents another serious risk, potentially preventing organisations from accessing critical systems until they recover their data and operations. The growing use of artificial intelligence also introduces challenges, including more convincing impersonation attempts and the accidental disclosure of confidential information through unauthorised AI tools.

According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2026, cyber attacks continue to affect UK organisations, reinforcing the importance of appropriate security measures and employee awareness. Businesses can manage these risks through measures such as multi-factor authentication, access controls, regular software updates and employee cyber security training. Understanding how these protections work enables employees and leadership teams to contribute to a more resilient organisation.

Source: Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2026

Why Should Businesses Book a Cyber Security Speaker for Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026?

A professional cyber security speaker can make complex security risks accessible to employees who do not work in technical roles. Through practical examples and industry experience, speakers can explain how everyday decisions influence organisational security. For HR leaders and event planners, a keynote presentation can support existing cyber security awareness training by encouraging employees to recognise suspicious communications, question unusual requests and report potential incidents promptly.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) highlights the importance of leadership involvement in developing a positive cyber security culture. For example, a business could combine a Cyber Security Awareness Month keynote with a simulated phishing exercise. Comparing employee reporting behaviour before and after the event could help its security team assess awareness and identify areas requiring further training.

Source: National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

10 Cyber Security Speakers for Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026

As Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026 highlights the growing importance of protecting businesses against evolving digital threats, organisations are increasingly turning to expert cyber security speakers for guidance. Based on exclusive insights from 178 corporate event polls, these leading speakers are recognised for their expertise in cyber security risk management, AI-driven threats, cyber resilience and online safety. Their knowledge makes them ideal for corporate conferences, leadership events and technology summits, helping businesses strengthen cyber awareness, understand emerging risks and prepare for an increasingly complex digital landscape.

• Mary Aiken
• Sarah Armstrong-Smith
• Rupal Patel
• David Lacey
• Dimitri Chichlo
• Kayne McGladrey
• Pamela Gupta
• Gil Baram
• Rebecca Taylor
• Matthew Rosenquist

1. Mary Aiken

Mary Aiken is a Professor of Forensic Cyberpsychology and Chair of Cyberpsychology at Capitol Technology University, specialising in the relationship between human behaviour and digital technology. As a member of the INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Expert Group and an inductee into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame, Mary brings recognised expertise to discussions about cybercrime and online behaviour. Her presentations are particularly relevant to Cyber Security Awareness Month because they examine the psychological factors that influence digital decision-making. For businesses, Mary’s insights can help employees understand social engineering, online manipulation and why human behaviour remains central to effective cyber security.

Mary Aiken Official Testimonial:

“It undoubtedly raised the profile of security in the business and reinforced the role of humans in everything that’s going on.” – Daren, Chief Technology Officer, Resonate

2. Sarah Armstrong-Smith

Sarah Armstrong-Smith is the former Chief Security Advisor EMEA at Microsoft and former Head of Cyber Resilience at Fujitsu. She has also served as Group Head of Business Resilience and Crisis Management at the London Stock Exchange. Drawing on extensive experience in business continuity and incident management, Sarah explains how organisations can prepare for cyber disruption while developing stronger security cultures. Her speaking topics include understanding the cyber attacker mindset, effective crisis management and transformational leadership. For corporate audiences, Sarah offers a practical perspective on the relationship between employee awareness, leadership decisions and organisational resilience.

Sarah Armstrong-Smith Official Testimonial:

“We had so many employees reach out to say how much they enjoyed listening to her. Sarah is extremely relatable, but at the same time a great public speaker.” – Susan, Tradeweb

3. Rupal Patel

Rupal Patel is a former Intelligence Analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, founder and CEO of Entreprenora, and author of ‘From CIA to CEO’. Her professional background combines intelligence analysis with business leadership, allowing her to explain how organisations can make informed decisions when facing uncertainty. For Cyber Security Awareness Month, Rupal offers an alternative perspective to conventional technical presentations, focusing on strategic thinking, risk awareness and organisational resilience. Her experience is especially relevant to senior leadership conferences and corporate events where delegates need to understand how intelligence-led decision-making can support business security and preparedness.

4. David Lacey

David Lacey is a former Director of Information Security, IT Governance and Risk at Royal Mail Group and the author of ‘Managing the Human Factor in Information Security’. With more than four decades of experience, David has helped develop information security practices used by major organisations. He is also recognised for his contribution to the development of British Standard BS7799, which influenced subsequent international information security standards. His expertise makes him particularly relevant to businesses seeking to improve employee engagement with security policies. David can help corporate audiences understand why cyber security awareness depends on organisational culture and effective management, not simply technical controls.

5. Dimitri Chichlo

Dimitri Chichlo is an international cyber security keynote speaker and board-level adviser with extensive experience in financial services, security governance and operational resilience. His career includes serving as Vice President of Information Security and Business Continuity Management at Edmond de Rothschild and Vice-Chairman of Ukreximbank during wartime. Dimitri’s keynotes explore cyber security as a leadership responsibility, helping executives understand how digital threats affect organisational stability and decision-making. For Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026, he is particularly suited to board-level events and financial services conferences where cyber risk must be considered alongside wider business priorities.

Dimitri Chichlo Official Testimonial:

“Dimitri does not just speak about risk — he makes every person in the room feel personally accountable for it. Rare clarity.” – Conference Chair, European Banking Forum

6. Kayne McGladrey

Kayne McGladrey is a virtual Chief Information Security Officer, strategic adviser and former Field CISO at Hyperproof, with nearly three decades of experience in cyber security. A Senior Member of IEEE and author of the GRC Maturity Model, Kayne specialises in connecting cyber risk management with wider organisational objectives. His presentations address security governance, regulatory preparedness and responsible artificial intelligence adoption. For businesses planning Cyber Security Awareness Month activities, Kayne can help audiences understand how cyber security responsibilities extend beyond IT departments and why effective governance requires informed participation across the organisation.

Kayne McGladrey Official Testimonial:

“Very inspiring and can help put cyber risks into terms that facilitate understanding for business folks.” – Cao Chung

7. Pamela Gupta

Pamela Gupta is the founder of Trusted AI and a specialist in responsible artificial intelligence, cyber security and technology governance. Having advised the US Department of Defence on AI strategy, Pamela brings experience of managing security considerations associated with emerging technologies. She also received ISACA’s Joseph J. Wasserman Award in 2025. Her talks explore how organisations can introduce AI while maintaining appropriate security controls and governance. For Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026, Pamela is particularly relevant to businesses adopting generative AI tools, helping employees and decision-makers understand the importance of responsible technology use and protecting sensitive business information.

8. Gil Baram

Gil Baram is a cyber security strategy and policy expert, Senior Lecturer at Bar-Ilan University and former Fulbright Cybersecurity Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University. Her research examines international cyber conflict, emerging digital threats and the relationship between technology and national security. Gil also holds a research appointment at the University of California, Berkeley’s Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, where her work includes investigating AI-enabled cybercrime. For corporate cyber security events, she offers valuable insight into how geopolitical developments and technological change influence business risk. Her keynotes are especially suited to executives seeking a broader understanding of the threats affecting international organisations.

Gil Baram Official Testimonial:

“An incredibly relevant, insightful, and deeply aware lesson on cybersecurity threats happening right now.” – Hagit, Ambassador, Embassy of Finland

9. Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor is a Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager and Researcher at Sophos, specialising in making cyber security information understandable to wider audiences. Named Cybersecurity Professional of the Year at the 2025 Computing Security Excellence Awards, Rebecca has experience translating threat intelligence into practical guidance. She is also the co-author of ‘Securely Yours: An Agony Aunts’ Guide to Surviving Cyber’, which addresses everyday cyber security concerns in an accessible format. Rebecca is particularly suitable for employee-focused Cyber Security Awareness Month events, where practical explanations and relatable examples can encourage staff to recognise potential threats and engage more confidently with security advice.

10. Matthew Rosenquist

Matthew Rosenquist is the founder of Cybersecurity Insights, a former Cybersecurity Strategist at Intel Corporation and an experienced adviser to business leaders. During his career at Intel, Matthew helped establish the company’s first 24-hour security operations centre, giving him direct experience of managing security operations within a major technology organisation. His speaking topics include generative AI, cyber security strategy and regulatory accountability. For Cyber Security Awareness Month events, Matthew can help business leaders understand how changing threats influence security investment and organisational priorities. His experience makes him particularly suitable for executive conferences and events connecting technical security challenges with commercial decision-making.

Hire a Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026 Speaker Today!

Make Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026 an opportunity to strengthen employee engagement and support your organisation’s security culture. The Cyber Security Speakers Agency can help you find a speaker suited to your audience and event objectives.

If you are interested in hiring a Cyber Security Awareness Month 2026 speaker, contact us today by calling 0203 0070 318, or alternatively, fill out our online contact form.