Recognized Cybersecurity Law Leaders 2025

Don Warden is a seasoned cybersecurity executive and author with over 30 years of experience securing complex environments across diverse industries. His expertise spans digital forensics, cyber threat intelligence, and incident response, where he has led high-stakes investigations into ransomware attacks, insider threats, and cyber extortion. As a trusted advisor, Don has guided organizations and high-profile individuals through threat mitigation, resilience planning, and post-incident recovery. Holding advanced certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Certified Cyber Security Analyst (CCSA), along with a Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Don combines technical depth with strategic vision. His passion for ethical hacking and proactive defense drives his approach to strengthening security postures in an evolving digital landscape. Beyond cybersecurity, Don enjoys traveling with his family to remote destinations and is deeply committed to philanthropic efforts that make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

CEO of TrustNet, a leading provider of cybersecurity and assurance services serving some…

Co-Founder of SG6, ITRES and DEV6. Cybersecurity consultant with a deep technical background. More than 20 years of experience in the fields of IT Security, Cybersecurity, Security Research and IT Best Practices. Dozens of acredited CVE vulnerabilities since Y2K. I publish practical offensive/defensive research: vulnerability analysis, exploitation notes, reverse engineering, and hardening/detection takeaways.

As the Director of Cybersecurity at Fortra, I lead a distinguished team of cybersecurity experts in delivering Managed Security Programs to global clients. With over a decade of experience in the field, I bring a wealth of expertise in data protection, threat hunting, incident response, cybersecurity policy, IT solutions, and security systems.My mission is to empower organizations to safeguard their most sensitive data and assets against cyber threats while aligning with business objectives and regulatory standards. I thrive on sharing insights and knowledge through publications on diverse cybersecurity topics, ranging from the role of cyber executives to best practices in data security. As a strong advocate for AI and ML technology, I believe in the imperative need for organizations to mature and embrace these innovations. I actively collaborate with professionals and stakeholders to drive innovation and enhance industry standards.

Matt Lindley is the Chief Innovation & Information Security Officer at NINJIO, a leading cybersecurity awareness training and human risk management platform. Matt leads NINJIO’s cybersecurity team and AI innovation projects. Previously, he was the CEO and Principal Consultant at REIN Cybersecurity, which focused on governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC). He has also served as the Director of Security Services at Cal Net Technology Group and the virtual CIO at Convergence Networks. Matt is an authority on IT, cybersecurity, GRC, and operational maturity whose expert insights have been published in media outlets spanning cybersecurity and many other relevant verticals. His byline has appeared in a wide range of cybersecurity and tech publications, including Dark Reading, Cyber Defense Magazine, Innovation & Tech Today, Spiceworks, Security Magazine, Cybersecurity Insiders, Security Boulevard, U.S. Cybersecurity Magazine, Information Week, and Cyber Protection Magazine. Matt has also published extensively in outlets serving specific industry verticals, such as InsuranceNewsNet, Business Traveler, Manufacturing.net, and Carrier Management. He is considered a leading security analyst whose research and expertise cover AI strategy and transformation, emerging cyberthreats, behavioral psychology, social engineering, and organizational resilience. Matt has over a decade and a half of experience as both a practitioner and a thought leader in cybersecurity, and he is particularly focused on human risk management—a core pillar of cybersecurity at a time when the human element is implicated in the majority of breaches.

Seasoned content writer with more than a decade of experience.Wrote hundreds of blogs, ebooks, newsletters, social media content, news articles.Worked with numerous tech start-ups, digital marketing agencies, and media publications.Focused mostly on B2B tech, cybersecurity, blockchain, and AI. Capable of covering virtually any topic.Experienced in journalistic writing.

📌 Key Areas: Secure Software Engineering | Zero-Trust Security | Cloud & DevOps Security | AI for Cyber Defense | Research & Innovation | Cybersecurity Advocacy I am an award-winning Cybersecurity Professional and Software Engineer with about 10 years of experience building secure, resilient, and scalable systems that safeguard enterprises and critical infrastructures worldwide. At Microsoft, I have spearheaded high-impact security engineering initiatives across Azure, DevOps, and enterprise security driving innovations in zero-trust frameworks, system observability, automation, and AI-integrated security solutions. My contributions have fortified services relied upon by global customers while elevating industry standards in reliability, compliance, and risk management. Beyond corporate impact, I am deeply committed to advancing the cybersecurity community. As an advisor, trainer, and researcher, I actively contribute to academic publications, global workshops, and non-profit initiatives with multiple global organizations like CyberNGO, Mentors Without Borders, TCET, CHARUSAT, PARUL, MSU, Live2Serve and Many More, promoting cybersecurity awareness and training future leaders. Recognized with honors such as the Global Recognition Award 2025 and multiple CISO50 Innovation & Excellence Awards, my mission is to bridge research, engineering, and leadership to shape the future of digital trust and resilience.

I am a cybersecurity professional with over 18 years of experience in offensive security, penetration testing, and cyber defense. I focus on deeply understanding complex security challenges and developing practical, real-world solutions that strengthen organizations against evolving threats. I enjoy working across various security domains and approaching problems with a hands-on, analytical mindset. My colleagues and clients describe me as a hardworking, disciplined professional who remains calm and solution-oriented when handling high-risk incidents and challenging environments. My areas of expertise include vulnerability assessment, exploit development, incident response, network security architecture, and enterprise systems administration. I hold industry-recognized certifications such as OSCP, OSCE, GWAPT, GCIH, CCNA, and RHCE, which demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and technical excellence.

Charles Edda & Charles Bouley, Inc. (CECB) is a Texas-based cybersecurity company founded in 1999. The company specializes in managed security risk assessments, including vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and security awareness training. Its primary clients include small businesses, medical practices, and law firms. The company is currently owned and operated by Dr. Rachel Levitch, who has expanded its services to provide advanced cybersecurity solutions that integrate financial risk management and regulatory compliance. CECB's services follow industry-recognized cybersecurity frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ISO 27001, and CIS Controls to help organizations establish robust cybersecurity practices and culture.

Cybersecurity expert with over a decade and a half of deep-dive experience, I bring an unparalleled level of understanding and expertise in strategic Cybersecurity planning, effective risk control, and pioneering product innovation. My career reflects my role as a reliable authority for organizations of all sizes, as well as an effective liaison with different regulatory bodies.

CISO and advisor helping FinTechs turn DORA/NIS2/PSD2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and GDPR into practical resilience and business value. 20+ years across architecture, incident response, and program build-out. I prioritise KPIs, clear board communication, and continuous improvement, not checkbox compliance. Highlights: led DORA/NIS2 readiness for cross-border teams (faster audits; 30%+ lower regulatory risk), stood up vCISO/vDPO programs with cloud-native controls, vendor risk, and privacy automation. Community: OWASP Riga and Cloud Security Alliance Chapter Lead. Need to get regulator-ready? Let’s connect.

I have over 30 years experience as an Electrical Engineer, Technical Writer, and Documentation Manager. I worked in technical areas including avionics, systems integration, mobile software, SaaS. Several years ago I left the corporate world to care for sick parents. I supported myself building websites, writing technical “how-to” books, and leading online courses. Now, with family issues behind me, I have the time to take on some freelance clients. My atypical career path taught me to work well with a wide range of clients and audiences. Clients like Honeywell and Microsoft, McGraw-Hill and other book publishers, even pre-IPO startups. Audiences from computer beginners, to B2B buyers, to engineers building aircraft systems. I'm skilled at learning complex technologies like VPNs and cryptocurrencies. And I excel at turning that raw data into understandable content for a target audience. I am looking to contribute to projects that need these skills. I'm particularly interested in subjects that empower individuals such as online privacy.

We Expect The Unexpected - Creative Information Security Practices To Protect Your Security Blind Spots BlueSteel Cybersecurity delivers a new approach in intelligent cybersecurity protection, compliance, engineering, and strategy services. We translate the complexity of cybersecurity protection into clear and actionable insights to bridge the widening gap between organizational objectives and critical cybersecurity protection. Our enterprise-level security services are carefully engineered to help our partners prepare for future threats while meeting strict compliance requirements. We are experts in security, data, software, and IT with decades of experience analyzing and communicating complex information upon which critical decisions are made. Our goal is to prove our value – and the value of cybersecurity processes and protections – through innovative solutions that help our clients achieve their information security goals Learn more: www.bluesteelcyber.com.

Michel Fotsing is a CISSP-certified cybersecurity architect specializing in AI governance for organizations navigating emerging regulations (EU AI Act, NIS2, Quebec Law 25, GDPR). He consults for Quebec's government through Levio and serves on the ISC2 Exam Review Commission, contributing to international cybersecurity certification standards. Author of "L'Architecte Numérique: Orchestrer les intelligences à l'ère de l'IA" (2026, distributed by Hachette), he developed the Three Zones Framework for classifying AI-augmented security decisions. He also created StructureClerk.ca, a free compliance tool covering 169 jurisdictions. Michel can speak to: AI governance and shadow AI risks for businesses, cybersecurity strategy for SMEs, the human-AI decision boundary in critical systems, and data privacy compliance across international frameworks.

Specialties: Sales | Business Development | SaaS | Negotiation & Persuasion | Native Turkish Speaker | Proxy Geek | Hiring | Training | Affiliation Marketing | SEO | E-Mail Marketing | IP | Proxy

Lev Zabudko is co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Nothreat, an AI-native cybersecurity company launched in 2023. In just over a year, he has led the company from early-stage development to a valuation of £40 million (approximately $46.9 million), backed by investors and recognized for its ability to respond to the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape with real-time, adaptive solutions. Under Lev’s product leadership, Nothreat has secured strategic partnerships with global organizations, including Lenovo and Pafos FC, and contributed to cybersecurity infrastructure efforts for international events such as the COP29 conference and congress. With more than 15 years of experience in applied AI, product strategy, and critical systems architecture, Lev focuses on developing security technologies that are designed for the scale, speed, and complexity of modern digital threats.

Dr. Rishabh Das is an Assistant Professor at the Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University. With over a decade of hands-on experience in operating, troubleshooting, and supervising control systems in the oil and gas industry, Dr. Das has become a recognized leader in the field of cybersecurity. His award-winning work in developing security architectures and detection algorithms has significantly advanced the protection of legacy industrial controllers against cyber threats. Dr. Das's research portfolio is extensive, encompassing the virtualization of Industrial Control Systems (ICS), threat modeling, penetration testing in ICS, active network monitoring, and the application of Machine Learning (ML) in cybersecurity. His expertise has been sought after by military associations and commercial entities alike, guiding them in meeting their cybersecurity requirements for critical infrastructure.

Would love it if you contact me via OODA.com instead of DM here. Bob Gourley is an experienced board member, a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Board Qualified Technical Executive (QTE), author and entrepreneur with extensive past performance in enterprise IT, corporate cybersecurity, risk mitigation in artificial intelligence and blockchain projects, and data analytics. CTO of OODA LLC, home of the OODA Network, a community of business leaders, technologists, intelligence and security professionals. Winner of InfoWorld top 25 CTO and Washingtonian Magazine's "DC Tech Titan" list.Served as the CTO for the Defense Intelligence Agency and was previously a naval intelligence officer.

With over 22 years of experience in the hosting industry, I've played a key role in developing and supporting several successful hosting companies. My expertise spans web hosting solutions, blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies, advanced technology infrastructure, domain name brokerage, artificial intelligence, technical writing, and strategic SEO implementation.