Cybersecurity leadership concept art

From the Situation Room to the Boardroom

Translating Cyber Risk
Into Business Value

Assaf Keren. CSO at Qualtrics. Former PayPal CISO. Author of “Lessons from the Frontlines.”

Assaf Keren at Qualtrics

About Assaf

25 Years on the
Frontlines of Cybersecurity

Assaf Keren is the Chief Security Officer at Qualtrics, where he leads the company's global security strategy. Previously, he served as CISO at PayPal, protecting one of the world's largest financial platforms.

Assaf served in military and government roles and went on to found and sell two cybersecurity companies. He holds three security patents and serves on the Wall Street Journal Technology Council.

His book Lessons from the Frontlines, published by Wiley, distills two decades of experience into an honest, people-first guide for security leaders—covering everything from crisis response to building teams that perform without burning out.

Today, Assaf speaks at conferences and boardrooms worldwide, translating complex cyber risk into language that drives executive action.

The Problem

The Technician Market
Is Saturated

Boards don't need another vendor pitch. Executives don't want more technical jargon. Your audience craves a rare voice—someone who has lived the crisis, led the response, and can translate that experience into strategic insight.

From military intelligence to Fortune 500 boardrooms, from founding and selling two cybersecurity companies to leading security at PayPal and Qualtrics, Assaf brings a unique perspective that bridges the gap between security operations and business imperatives. He serves on corporate boards including the prestigious WSJ Technology Council.

25+
Years in
Security
2
Companies
Founded
3
Security
Patents
BOARDLEGALHREXECOPSTRANSLATOR

Speaking Tracks

Tailored for Your Audience

Whether addressing boards, HR leaders, or executive teams, each track delivers actionable insights customized to your audience's specific challenges.

Signature

Leadership Journey

From Battlefield to Boardroom

Drawing from 25+ years of experience, this keynote explores the human challenges of cybersecurity leadership—from military service to Fortune 500 CISO roles. Learn practical frameworks for building security culture and making tough decisions under pressure.

C-SuiteSecurity LeadersConference Audiences

Balancing Security, Business & People

The CISO's Dilemma

Tackling the core challenges every security leader faces: communicating risk to executives, building cross-functional partnerships, and creating lasting security culture change. Real stories from the frontlines of cybersecurity leadership.

Board MembersExecutive TeamsCISOsRisk Committees

Scaling Security Programs

Startup to Enterprise

From early-stage security to enterprise-scale programs, learn how to build security capabilities that grow with your organization. Practical insights on team building, technology selection, and maintaining security posture during rapid growth.

CTOsStartup FoundersSecurity DirectorsVCs

Additional Speaking Topics

Building Security CultureCISO Career DevelopmentCyber Risk ManagementData Protection LeadershipSecurity Awareness Training
Leadership in Cyber - Lessons from the Frontlines book cover

The Book

Leadership in Cyber
Lessons from the Frontlines

After 25 years in cybersecurity—from startup founder to Fortune 500 CISO—this book focuses on the human challenges of security leadership. Real experiences, honest failures, and hard-won lessons. Learn practical frameworks like “State Reality, Inspire Hope” and discover people-first approaches that sustain performance without burnout.

Published by WileyAvailable Now
“Building and sustaining security in major enterprises is much more than a technical discipline. Rather, it's an intense leadership challenge balancing influence, grit and team building. Assaf's personal journey revealed in this book contains lessons for all security professionals - whether you are starting out or an established leader you will love this.”
Phil Venables
Former CISO Goldman Sachs, Google Cloud, VC Partner

Praise for the Book

What Leaders Are Saying

Assaf's writing style is immediately engaging. Readers will delight in his humble real life experiences and lessons learned on his way to earning a top executive seat in the thrillingly dynamic field of CyberSecurity.

Kate Abrams, Senior Director, People Partner, Google

As both a former CISO and current CEO, I wish I'd had this book early in my career. Keren cuts through the noise to deliver what security leadership actually requires: practical frameworks forged through real failures and hard-won successes. This isn't theory—it's battle-tested wisdom that will make you more effective from day one.

Guy Bejerano, CEO, Safebreach

This book offers a rare and powerful opportunity to learn directly from his extensive experience as a CISO. As a former colleague who had the privilege of learning directly from Assaf, I can personally attest to the invaluable wisdom and world-class expertise contained within these pages.

Renana Friedlich, CISO, LPL Financial

I've known and admired Assaf for years. What makes this book so powerful is that it's not theory – it's hard-won lessons from someone who has built, rebuilt, and led security at the very top. Any current or aspiring security leader will walk away with practical insights they can apply immediately.

Sid Trivedi, Partner, Foundation Capital

Reading this book feels like sitting down with a trusted mentor who has lived through every security challenge you can imagine. Assaf writes with the simplicity and authenticity of someone who's been in the trenches, made hard calls, and learned from both wins and setbacks.

Ross Haleliuk, Security Industry Expert

Building and sustaining security in major enterprises is much more than a technical discipline. Rather, it's an intense leadership challenge balancing influence, grit and team building. Assaf's personal journey revealed in this book contains lessons for all security professionals - whether you are starting out or an established leader you will love this.

Phil Venables, Former CISO Goldman Sachs, Google Cloud

Assaf Keren shows how curiosity helps security leaders identify important threats, and how grit, resilience, and communication build effective security teams.

Gunnar Peterson, CISO, Forter

As a journalist who has covered cybersecurity, I expected the book to be a technical deep dive. Instead, it highlights just how much of the job comes down to judgment and people skills, while still giving a strong dose of practical advice professionals can bring to the job.

Ron Miller, Editorial Director, boldstart ventures
Assaf's writing style is immediately engaging. Readers will delight in his humble real life experiences and lessons learned on his way to earning a top executive seat in the thrillingly dynamic field of CyberSecurity.

Kate Abrams

Senior Director, People Partner, Google

Assaf Keren

Book Assaf

Let's Start a
Conversation

Whether you're planning a global conference, an executive retreat, or a board education session, I'd love to discuss how we can create an impactful experience for your audience.

Keynote Speaking

High-energy presentations for conferences and corporate events

Executive Workshops

Intimate sessions for boards and leadership teams

Advisory & Consulting

Strategic guidance for security transformation

1:1 Executive Mentoring

Personalized coaching for CISOs, board members, and senior leaders

Inquire for Speaking

Reach out and my team will respond within 48 hours with availability and details.

Get in Touch

speaking@leadershipincyber.com