Top 10: Cybersecurity Influencers

In the modern world, enterprises wade through a minefield of ever evolving cyber threats. 

Staying secure in this reality entails leadership capable of sifting through threats, weeding out the hype and zooming in on what really matters. They help strengthen resilience, manage risk and navigate a rapidly changing digital landscape. 

From AI and ransomware to cloud security and cyber regulation, influential voices across the industry are shaping best practices, driving innovation and informing strategic decision-making. 

Here, Cyber Magazine spotlights the Top 10 Cybersecurity Influencers making the greatest impact on the global cybersecurity industry in 2026.

10. Keren Elazari

Through her widely viewed TED talk, Hackers: The Internet’s Immune System, Keren argued that ethical hackers play a vital role in strengthening digital security by exposing vulnerabilities and encouraging organisations to improve their defences. 

As Founder of BSidesTLV and the Leading Cyber Ladies network, she has helped build collaborative cybersecurity communities and promote greater engagement between security researchers, industry leaders and policymakers.

Her friendly hacker approach has contributed to broader discussions around transparency, vulnerability disclosure and the positive role of ethical hackers in digital society.

9. Matthew Rosenquist

Earning his recognition as a leading voice in cybersecurity, Matthew translates complex cyber risks into business-focused decisions.

As a CISO, strategist and trusted advisor to enterprises, governments and academia, he helps leaders align security with organisational success. 

Through his thought leadership, executive guidance and engagement with nearly 200,000 LinkedIn followers, he champions cybersecurity as a critical enabler of trust, resilience and long-term business performance.

8. Chuck Brooks

Chuck has built his influence by translating complex cybersecurity and emerging technology trends into actionable insights for both policymakers and business leaders. 

Drawing on senior government service, industry leadership and more than 400 published articles, he offers a rare perspective on how innovation, security and public policy collide. 

Whether discussing AI, IoT or critical infrastructure, Chuck helps decision-makers anticipate challenges before they become headlines.

7. Jack Rhysider

Best known as the creator of the award winning podcast, Darknet Diaries, Jack has captivated audiences by turning real-world hacking incidents, cybercrime investigations and espionage operations into gripping narratives.

Being a man of cyber, Jack is very careful to keep his identity and face under wraps. 

This air of mystery only amplifies the appeal of a podcast that has introduced countless people to cybersecurity, proving that powerful storytelling can be just as influential as technical expertise. 

6. Lisa Forte

Among the cybersecurity professionals bridging the gap between industry expertise and public awareness, Lisa holds a prominent space. 

A familiar face across BBC broadcasts, national newspapers and documentary productions, Lisa has helped bring cybersecurity into mainstream conversations. 

Beyond the spotlight, she co-founded Red Goat Cyber Security and launched initiatives such as Cyber Volunteers 19 and Respect in Security, using her platform to strengthen resilience, collaboration and positive change across the industry.

5. John Hammond

While many cybersecurity influencers comment on threats, John teaches people how to understand them. 

Through one of the largest cybersecurity channels on YouTube, John has turned malware analysis, threat hunting and CTF challenges into accessible learning experiences for millions. 

Combining frontline research at Huntress with an educator’s mindset, Hammond has become a trusted guide for aspiring practitioners, proving that some of the industry’s most valuable training can happen in public.

4. Brian Krebs

Long before a breach becomes a headline, Brian is often already following the trail.

Through his award-winning publication, KrebsOnSecurity, Brian has spent decades exposing cybercriminal networks, data breaches and online fraud operations that often remain hidden from public view. 

Renowned for tracing the financial and operational structures behind cybercrime, Brian transforms complex investigations into accessible reporting. 

His work has informed security professionals, journalists, businesses and law enforcement agencies, setting a benchmark for accountability and transparency across the digital landscape.

3. Katie Moussouris

Few cybersecurity leaders have reshaped industry practices as profoundly as Katie.

As the founder and CEO of Luta Security, as well as a driving force behind Microsoft’s bug bounty programmes and the US government’s landmark Hack the Pentagon initiative, she helped legitimise collaboration between organisations and ethical hackers. 

Katie champions mature disclosure processes, stronger security governance and clear legal frameworks. 

Her work continues to influence governments, global standards bodies and businesses seeking to build more resilient cybersecurity programmes.

2. Troy Hunt

Troy has done more than perhaps anyone to bring data breach awareness into the mainstream. 

Best known as the creator of Have I Been Pwned, a website that allows internet users to check where their personal data has been compromised, Troy transformed millions of people from passive victims of cyber incidents into informed participants in their own digital security. 

Drawing on decades of experience as a Microsoft Regional Director, educator and security researcher, Troy combines technical expertise with an exceptional ability to communicate risk. 

Through breach analysis, public advocacy and one of the industry’s most trusted online resources, he has become a defining voice in modern cybersecurity.

1. Sarah Armstrong-Smith

At the forefront of modern cyber resilience stands Sarah, a cybersecurity leader whose influence extends far beyond the security function. 

Through her work as a security advisor, bestselling author and internationally recognised speaker, Sarah has transformed how organisations think about preparedness, crisis management and cyber risk. 

Her books, including Effective Crisis Management and Understand the Cyber Attacker Mindset, bridge the gap between technical security and executive decision-making. 

By championing resilience as a strategic business priority, Sarah continues to shape conversations in boardrooms, government forums and global cybersecurity events alike.