10 Most Influential Cybersecurity Experts in 2024

Cybersecurity has become increasingly essential in company operations since the onset of digital transformation. Businesses can no longer rely on minimal security and prevention measures and solutions to get by. About 64% of businesses surveyed say they have experienced web-based attacks, according to a study by the University of North Georgia.

Now is the time for companies to make cybersecurity a priority, if it isn’t already. The best way to start this journey is to get educated on strategies and the path forward. Many well-known cybersecurity experts and influencers have emerged with the rise of cybersecurity.

Below, we discuss the 10 most influential cybersecurity experts. Whether you’re a cybersecurity professional or just seeking advice, these experts are perfect for you to have on your radar.

Ken Xie is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Fortinet, a global cybersecurity company leading the field in end-to-end security solutions. Ken is more than a cybersecurity expert — he is a pioneer and an innovator. Fortinet is the third cybersecurity company Ken has founded and his efforts have helped reshape the industry landscape.

Ken doesn’t shy away from risks, which has helped him become the legend he is today. As a cybersecurity leader, Ken has remained agile in the face of threats and created solutions to meet ever-changing demands. To cap it off, Ken is a member of the board of the Cyber Threat Alliance and the Center for Cybersecurity for the World Economic Forum.

George Kurtz has forged his own path in the cybersecurity landscape. With more than 30 years of experience, George has used his expertise and knowledge to drive innovation and create leading tech solutions. He is currently the president, CEO, and Co-Founder of CrowdStrike, a leading provider of next-generation endpoint protection, threat intelligence, and services.

In 1999, George founded Foundstone, a security solutions provider that specializes in incident response, which went on to join the McAfee family of products. He is also a sought-after thought leader, appearing in major media outlets, including CNN, The Washington Post, and The Associated Press. Check out his best-selling security book, “Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets & Solutions.”

Rupal Hollenbeck is a trailblazer for women in tech. She is the President and COO of Check Point Software. Previously, Rupal has held positions at other tech giants, including Oracle and Intel. Rupal isn’t only a vocal leader, she is a pillar in her company and in the cybersecurity industry.

With over 25 years of experience, Rupal has driven change and innovation in the tech landscape. She promotes the importance of lifelong learning on the road to innovation and advocates for equity and inclusion. Rupal is a founding member of Neythri, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the professional advancement of South Asian women, and lends her voice to commentary on the most pressing issues in the tech space.

Mårten Mickos is the CEO of HackerOne, a company specializing in preemptive security and attack resistance management. Mårten has led HackerOne since 2015. Since then, he has become a leader in cybersecurity, lending his expertise and thought leadership to the space.

Mårten has appeared on several podcasts, spoken at events, and written pieces for the HackerOne blog and other publications. He is passionate about security and innovation, as seen in his initiatives inside and outside the company.

Ning Wang is the CEO of OffSec, a professional development platform for cybersecurity training. Ning has more than 20 years of experience at several fast-growing companies, including HackerOne. One of her primary goals is to narrow the talent gap in security.

Her role at OffSec has also placed her in a prime position to advocate for her other initiatives: promoting and nurturing women in tech and cybersecurity. Ning has sat down with various media outlets and publications to speak about cybersecurity and share wisdom with women breaking into tech.

Stu Sjouwerman is the Founder and CEO of KnowBe4, the world’s largest new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing platform. KnowBe4 trains employees to make smarter security decisions every day — a brainchild of Stu’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Stu took KnowBe4 public on the NASDAQ in April 2021. He is an expert in data security.

Not only is KnowBe4 a powerhouse in the IT industry, Stu has built a solid reputation as a member of the Forbes Technology Council. He regularly posts articles about data security, social engineering and how to protect mission-critical networks against bad actors.

Matt Cohen is the CEO of CyberArk, a leading identity security company. He started at the company as the Chief Revenue Officer in 2019 and became the CEO in 2023. Under Matt’s leadership, CyberArk has grown and evolved in significant ways.

Matt Cohen is also a leading expert and contributor in the cybersecurity space. He regularly appears on CNBC where he discusses emerging cybersecurity trends. He also speaks at events and conferences throughout the year.

Pamela Petrow is the President and CEO of Vector Security, Inc., a premier provider of intelligent security solutions. Pamela has worked at Vector Security for more than 40 years, so she has a wealth of knowledge on security and the evolution of cybersecurity.

Since her time at Vector Security, Pamela has held several different positions, including Senior Vice President and COO. She also has other accolades. Pamela was the first female president of The Monitoring Association International and won an Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials award for her contributions to the electronic transmission of signals between central stations and 911 dispatch centers.

Atul Ahuja is the CTO at Noventiq, a global solutions and services provider in digital transformation and cybersecurity. Atul boasts more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry, working for the likes of Microsoft and Citrix throughout his career.

Atul shares his deep understanding of technology and cybersecurity through various mediums. He frequently attends conferences as a guest speaker and has spoken at the IDC CIO Summit (International Data Corporation Chief Information Officer Summit) and Microsoft Envision. Noventiq credits Atul for expanding its business into India, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa.

Jadee Hanson is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Vanta, a leading security and compliance platform. Jadee has worked in the security space for many years. Before joining Vanta, Jadee served in senior leadership roles for Target, Deloitte, and Code42. Her most notable achievements include her work as CISO and CIO at Code42, where she helped internal teams and customers adopt right-sized risk management and elevated security across the platform.

Today, Jadee oversees Security, Enterprise Engineering, and Privacy, Risk and Compliance (PRC) for Vanta. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Jadee also lends her time to public speaking engagements, industry collaboration, and mentoring potential young leaders.

The most influential people set an example and inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps. The experts on our list aren’t known for their success in just one thing. They are leaders, colleagues, mentors, trailblazers, and innovators. And they all started somewhere. By listening to expert discussion and advice, budding security professionals can find the information and advice to further their careers and boost their own cybersecurity programs.