Greg van der Gaast

Greg van der Gaast is a highly esteemed figure in the realms of cybersecurity and information security, with a career spanning over 25 years that has seen him transition from a notorious hacker to a respected authority in the field. His journey from hacking into a nuclear weapons facility to becoming an undercover operative for the FBI and DoD is not just intriguing but also highlights his deep and varied expertise in the domain. As a business-minded Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and a cutting-edge technical consultant, Greg now channels his rich experience into driving transformative changes in information security practices.

In his youth, Greg garnered a reputation as a formidable hacker, a phase of his life that laid the foundation for his profound understanding of the vulnerabilities inherent in technology. Moving beyond his past, Greg has dedicated his skills to assisting organisations in fortifying their information security frameworks. His roles have been diverse and impactful, ranging from the Head of Security Architecture at CGI to the Associate CISO of the Francis North Group, and the Head of Information Security at the University of Salford. Through these positions, Greg has not only crafted innovative narratives in information security but has also been a vanguard in treating security issues as quality problems, thereby unlocking numerous business efficiencies.

Greg’s recent appointments include serving as a Security Advisor to the Office of the CTO of CDW UK and the Chief Technologist of Security for CDW UK. His advisory roles extend to Clearco and the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester. An accomplished author, Greg has penned bestselling books like “What We Call Security” and “Rethinking InfoSec”, and has served as the CISO of Scoutbee and a Navigator for Bloor Research.

Notably, Greg is also a sought-after keynote speaker at corporate events, where he shares his unique and radical perspectives on information security. His talks are a blend of captivating stories and insights drawn from a career that has seen both the hacker and protector sides of cybersecurity. He emphasises the need for a holistic, business-focused approach to security, underlining its role as a fundamental quality issue. His experience in developing comprehensive information security programs for both Fortune 500 companies and startups positions him as a speaker who not only inspires but also offers practical, unconventional strategies for tackling information security challenges. Greg van der Gaast is undoubtedly an ideal choice for organisations seeking a speaker who can provide fresh insights into strategy, leadership, and the potential of human ingenuity in the face of evolving cyber threats.

In April 2023 we sat down virtually with Greg Van Der Gaast and discussed what are the most pressing threats to UK businesses. Watch our exclusive interview with Greg van der Gaast.

Read our exclusive interview with Greg van der Gaast to hear first-hand why a holistic and business-aligned approach is integral in cyber security.