Kayne McGladrey

Kayne McGladrey is a globally respected cybersecurity strategist, recognised for helping organisations navigate the growing complexity of digital risk, AI governance, and enterprise security. With nearly three decades of experience advising Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, Kayne has built a reputation for aligning cybersecurity operations with wider business objectives, ensuring that resilience, compliance, and innovation work together rather than in isolation. A CISSP and Senior Member of the IEEE, he is also the author of the GRC Maturity Model, a framework designed to help organisations move beyond simple checklist compliance toward meaningful and sustainable risk management. As a cybersecurity speaker, Kayne is widely sought-after for his ability to translate highly technical threats into practical business strategies that leaders can immediately apply.

Kayne began his career in the mid-1990s as a systems engineer before moving into consultancy work with several government agencies, where he developed a strong understanding of operational security and critical infrastructure protection. His career quickly evolved into senior leadership roles, including serving as CIO and CISO at Pensar Development in Seattle. He later went on to hold key strategic positions across the cybersecurity sector, including operating as a Defence Industrial Base CISO, advising organisations through Ascent Solutions, and leading worldwide professional services at Centrify. Most recently, Kayne concluded his tenure as Field CISO at Hyperproof before transitioning into independent work as a Virtual CISO and trusted strategic advisor to organisations facing rapidly evolving cyber threats.

Beyond his executive leadership experience, Kayne has become one of the industry’s most recognised thought leaders in cybersecurity and AI governance. His insights and commentary have appeared in nearly 300 publications, including USA Today, VentureBeat and the Financial Times. He is also a regular contributor to VentureBeat, Security Magazine, and Teleport, where he analyses topics such as agentic AI risks, workforce shortages, and the rapidly shifting cyber threat landscape of 2026. His expertise has led to appearances at prestigious industry events, including the RSA Conference, the Gartner IT Security & Risk Symposium, the ISACA GRC Conference and the ISC2 Congress. He has also featured on leading podcasts, including ‘Cyberwire Daily’, ‘Paul’s Security Weekly’, and ‘The Security Podcast of Silicon Valley’.

As a cybersecurity speaker, Kayne McGladrey delivers rare insight into the intersection of AI, governance, business resilience, and cyber risk. Audiences value his ability to explain emerging threats in clear commercial terms, helping boards, executives, and technical teams understand the real-world impact of cybersecurity decisions. Recognised by Thinkers360 as the number one global authority in Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and AI Governance for 2026, and named among the Top 100 B2B Thought Leaders in North America, Kayne combines technical expertise with strategic foresight. His presentations are particularly valued by organisations seeking practical guidance on preparing for future threats, strengthening cyber culture, and responsibly integrating AI into modern business operations.