15 Cybersecurity Influencers to Follow: Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a perfect time to learn from the brightest minds in the field. 

To help you stay informed, we've compiled a list of 15 top cybersecurity influencers to follow in 2024. These individuals are shaping the industry and changing how we think about online security. Let's dive in!

1. Caroline Wong

Bio: Of course, as an executive team member here at Cobalt, we have to mention our very own Caroline Wong. She's an accomplished educator, author, and security practitioner. Caroline's LinkedIn Learning course on The OWASP Top 10 provides valuable insights into modern approaches to security testing. She's also the author of "The PtaaS Book," a comprehensive guide to Pentest as a Service, and actively contributes to the security strategy at Cobalt.

Get in Touch: Linkedin

2. Brian Krebs 

Bio: Brian Krebs is an independent investigative journalist widely recognized for his in-depth coverage of cybercrime and computer security. He is the author of the highly acclaimed blog, KrebsOnSecurity, which provides daily news and analysis on cyber threats and criminal activities.

Get in touch: Twitter

3. Jen Easterly 

Bio: Jen Easterly is the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Her career includes working as the head of firm resilience at Morgan Stanley, multiple different roles within the national government ranging from Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director for Counterterrorism in the NSA. Her career has focused on advising both public and private entities on how they can reduce their vulnerability to cyber threats. 

Get in touch: Twitter

4. Dave Kennedy

Bio: Dave Kennedy's career path reflects a dedicated commitment to bolstering cybersecurity. With a foundation rooted in service within the US Marine Corps, where he honed his skills in cyber warfare and forensics analysis, Kennedy transitioned into the private sector to further his mission of enhancing global security. Over the course of more than 15 years, he has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by establishing two prominent cybersecurity companies. Furthermore, his co-founding of the widely adopted Penetration Testing Execution Standard underscores his significant contributions to shaping industry best practices.

Get in touch: Twitter

5. Graham Cluley

Bio: Graham Cluley is a distinguished figure in the cybersecurity realm, recognized for his extensive expertise and influential contributions. His induction into the InfoSecurity Europe Hall of Fame serves as a testament to his impactful career, which has spanned several decades. Cluley's insights and analyses on evolving cyber threats have solidified his position as a respected authority within the industry.   

Get in touch: Twitter | Website

6. Karen Elazari 

Bio: Keren Elazari is a prominent cybersecurity researcher and analyst, holding a senior position at Tel Aviv University's Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center. With a wealth of experience gained from working with leading Israeli security firms, government organizations, and global corporations, Elazari brings a deep understanding of the complex cybersecurity landscape. Her research and insights into emerging security trends have garnered international recognition, with features in prestigious publications such as Scientific American and WIRED. As an advocate for the positive impact of hackers, Elazari has become a sought-after speaker and commentator, captivating audiences with her TED Talk on "Hackers: The Internet's Immune System."

Get in touch: Website

7. Shira Rubinoff 

Bio: Shira Rubinoff is a popular podcast host with her show Shira Rubinoff TV highlighting advancements across Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and much more. Her show discusses cutting-edge technologies and aims to keep the audience privy to these often rapidly evolving technologies. Shira also has built two cybersecurity product companies, and led multiple women-in-technology efforts. 

Get in touch: Twitter | LinkedIn

8. Teri Radichel

Bio: Teri Radichel is the CEO at 2nd Sight Lab and an author of the book, “Cybersecurity for Executives in the Age of Cloud.” Teri has a strong background in the world of security ranging from her current role as CEO to an industry speaker and thought-leader to her time working at a major financial institution in the security operations and engineering teams. Today, Teri continues her work at 2nd Sight Lab as a security researcher and AWS Security hero.

Get in touch: Twitter | LinkedIn

9. Troy Hunt

Bio: Troy Hunt is an Australian web security expert, prominent speaker, and Microsoft Regional Director. He's internationally recognized for his work in raising awareness about online security and data breaches. His most notable creation is the website "Have I Been Pwned?", a free service allowing users to check if their personal information has been compromised in data breaches. Hunt has also authored several Pluralsight courses on security topics, regularly gives keynotes and workshops, and frequently appears in the media discussing cybersecurity issues.

Get in touch: Website

10. Daniel Miessler

Bio: Daniel Miessler is the founder of Unsupervised Learning, a creator of Fabricai, and Threshold. Since starting his website in 1999, he’s published hundreds of articles diving into specific aspects of different technologies’ security. Today he operates more than just a blog and website with a related newsletter, podcast, and community of paid supporters that all share his passion for security.

Get in touch: Twitter | Website

11. Jeff Moss

Bio: Jeff Moss is a renowned cybersecurity expert, consumer advocate, and podcast host. His extensive background includes being a founding member of two of the largest cybersecurity events in the world – Black Hat and Def Con. Moss is a frequent speaker at conferences and events related to cybersecurity and privacy and is often featured in the media. He was also sworn into Barack Obama’s administration as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Jeff has served in numerous public roles similar to this, ranging from a position at ICANN to the Atlantic Council and an advisor to Georgetown University.

Get in touch: Twitter

12. Adam Levin

Bio: Adam Levin is a well-known cybersecurity expert, author, and consumer advocate. He gained recognition for his podcast "What the Hack with Adam Levin," where he and his co-hosts dive into real-life cybercrime stories and offer actionable advice to listeners.

Get in touch: Twitter | Website

13. Robert Herjavec

Bio: Robert Herjavec is a globally recognized cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur, best known for his role as a Shark on the television show Shark Tank. His journey in cybersecurity began with founding BRAK Systems, an internet security software integrator, which he sold to AT&T Canada in 2000. In 2003, he established The Herjavec Group, now known as Cyderes, a leading global cybersecurity firm specializing in managed security services. Herjavec has served as a cybersecurity advisor to the Canadian government and is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Task Force for Cybersecurity. 

Get in touch: Twitter

14. Ed Skoudis

Bio: Ed Skoudis is the President SANS Technology Institute College. He is also the CEO of CounterHackSec and RSAConference. Ed is a prolific author and has written many books on cybersecurity, including Malware: Fighting Malicious Code and Counter Hack: A Step-by-Step Guide to Computer Attacks and Effective Defenses. His books have been well-received by critics and have earned him a reputation as a leading expert in the field of cybersecurity.

Get in touch: Twitter 

15. Nicole Perlroth

Bio: Nicole Perlroth is an award-winning journalist and cybersecurity expert. She spent a decade reporting on cybersecurity, digital espionage, and sabotage for The New York Times. Her work has been widely praised and featured in major media outlets. She lectures at Stanford University, advises the Department of Homeland Security, and serves on the Council on Foreign Relations' Cybersecurity Task Force.

Get in touch: LinkedIn

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In closing, these 15 cybersecurity influencers are leading the way in 2024, sharing valuable insights and expertise to help us navigate the complex world of cyber threats. Be sure to follow these experts and lean into the spirit of cybersecurity awareness month. 

At Cobalt, we're committed to empowering security teams with the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead of the curve. Be sure to follow these influencers and keep an eye on Cobalt to lead the way with an Offensive Security Testing Platform.