Greg van der Gaast

Greg van der Gaast is a cybersecurity strategist and best-selling author who transforms how organisations approach information security through unconventional thinking. Once cited as one of the world's five most notorious hackers, he worked undercover for the US FBI and Department of Defence for three years after breaking into a nuclear weapons facility, and now serves as Security Advisor to the Office of the CTO at CDW UK and Managing Director of Sequoia Consulting. His books "What We Call Security" and "Rethinking InfoSec" challenge traditional approaches, showing audiences how to move beyond endless firefighting by applying leadership, strategy, and human potential to turn security from a growing cost centre into a competitive business advantage that drives risk out of organisations.

Breaking into a nuclear weapons facility as a teenager set off an international incident that would reshape Greg van der Gaast's entire trajectory. Once cited as one of the world's five most notorious hackers, he spent three years working undercover for the US FBI and Department of Defence before embarking on an unconventional path through automotive consultancy and bodyguard work that brought him face to face with Camorra hitmen. This remarkable journey, which began when Angelina Jolie inspired a young hacker and even involved an FBI recording device in a rather uncomfortable location, eventually led him back to technology and information security with a radically different perspective. Now the best-selling author of "What We Call Security" and "Rethinking InfoSec", Greg serves as Security Advisor to the Office of the CTO at CDW UK and Managing Director of Sequoia Consulting, where he challenges the industry's fundamental assumptions about protection and resilience.

Greg's credibility extends far beyond his notorious past. His 25-year career includes roles as CISO, Chief Technologist of Security for CDW UK, and advisory positions with organisations including Clearco and the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester. As a former Chief Technologist at the world's largest value-added reseller, he witnessed firsthand how traditional security approaches trap organisations in endless cycles of firefighting and escalating costs. His books and advisory work focus on transforming security from a growing cost centre into a streamlining quality function that drives risk out of business operations. Featured in Wired Magazine, CNN, and across global technology and business conferences, Greg has become one of the most sought-after voices in cybersecurity, frequently rated as the highest-scoring speaker at events. His TEDx talk and presentations at major industry gatherings demonstrate his ability to make complex security concepts accessible and actionable for audiences ranging from technical practitioners to C-suite executives.

What makes Greg exceptional for events is his ability to shift audience thinking from technology-centric security to human-centred resilience. Through humorous and deeply personal anecdotes, he shows organisations how to apply leadership, strategy, and soft skills to create sustainable protection in an age where AI and evolving threats demand fresh approaches. Audiences consistently describe his presentations as thought-provoking, eye-opening, and unexpectedly captivating, finding his unconventional perspective both relatable and immediately applicable. Rather than advocating for more technology and specialists, Greg equips attendees with practical frameworks to turn security into a competitive business advantage. Whether addressing security practitioners seeking new insights or executive teams looking to understand their strategic security position, he delivers entertaining, enlightening content that creates lasting impact and helps organisations break free from reactive security postures to build genuine cyber resilience.