Ben Hanson creates clarity for the most critically important organisations on the planet. As a Senior Security Strategist and Advisor at Microsoft, he partners with the CISOs and other security leaders at the world's largest Financial Services institutions, guiding them through the complex interplay between business and security objectives, risk, technology, and cultural transformation. He is a disarmingly transparent, funny, and warm storyteller who challenges the hidden assumptions and biases that inhibit progress in cybersecurity (and beyond).
He is also a recognised expert in a broad range of security, identity, and cloud technologies. This expertise, combined with his strategy and transformation acumen, makes him a compelling and sought-after thought leader and speaker (Cambridge University, SANS, Cloud Security Alliance, British Computing Society, Chartered Institute of Information Security, InfoSec, Recorded Future, Microsoft, and many others). He is able to connect with audiences at every level, from the boardroom to the server room.
A 25-year industry veteran, Ben's insights are experiential, not conceptual. He works daily in the trenches with executives and engineers alike, advising leaders in diverse and complex organisations such as HSBC, Barclays, Santander, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, NatWest Group, Elavon, US Bank, GSK, Legal and General, National Grid, and Maersk.
In May 2024 we sat down virtually with Ben Hanson to discuss the current and future cyber security climate and the emergence of AI and the effects this will have globally. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Ben Hanson on the Champions Speakers YouTube channel.
How to hire Ben Hanson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Ben Hanson for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Examples of Ben Hanson's previous talks are listed below:
- Why Mature Organisations with Smart People Keep Getting Hacked (and what to do about it)
- AI: Deciphering Marketing Fluff vs. Game-Changing Capability on the Ground, Understanding AI for Security vs. The Security of AI
- Which Cybersecurity Threats & Trends Matter Most
- How to Build a Fulfilling Career in Cybersecurity (and Beyond), Without Burning Out
- The Business Case for "Assume Breach": Responding Effectively to Breaches & Ransomware Attacks
- Effective Cloud Security & GRC: Microsoft's Lessons Learned from the Trenches
- What "Zero Trust" Really Means, and Why it Matters
- Making Risk Management Tangible & Practical for Technologists
- What "Good" Looks Like in Modern Security
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Ben is one of the best communicators I have ever worked with in my IT Security career. He is informed, articulate, and eloquent—a real role model." - Holly, Senior VP EMEA & UKI, Blue Voyant
"Ben makes a difference in every conversation he's in. His expertise is valued across our industry and his communication skills allow him to land some really difficult messages." - Siân, CTO, NCC Group
"Ben’s keynote received exceptionally high ratings, with many considering it the best session of the day." - Aspire Conferences
"Insight of the highest quality and depth, and the ability to ask the right questions at the right time is of the highest calibre. Ben oozes credibility and establishes trust quickly and widely." - Maersk
"We needed someone who could build trust quickly, and communicate on some difficult themes. All the people I trust to suggest someone all suggested the same person—Ben." - National Grid
"Ben's guidance is one of the best examples of cybersecurity strategy thought leadership that I've seen anywhere, worldwide." - Microsoft
"Ben's input was a turning point in our relationship with the executive leaders in our organisation. It fundamentally changed the way we were originally planning to execute. We would not have achieved what we have achieved without his ability to build deep trust with security leadership." - Leading UK Bank
"Ben's session at our UK Financial Services Operational Resilience workshop was key. The success of this event has led to the proposal for future events this year throughout Europe and in New York City." - Chris, Global Financial Services Regulatory team, Microsoft
"Ben's talk on The Intersection of Business Enablement and Zero Trust is by far the best I've ever seen on the subject. Really helpful messages." - CISO
"Superb – very impressed – positioned perfectly & credibly." - UK Lead for Higher Education
- 2024 – Featured speaker, Recorded Future CISO Office Hours podcast
- 2024 – Featured speaker, Aspire Modern Work conference
- 2024 – Featured speaker, Cambridge University, Secure by Design conference
- 2024 – Featured speaker, Microsoft Operational Resilience and Security in Financial Services seminar
- 2024 – Published "Keeping on Top of Evolving Cyber Risks" whitepaper with insurance and cyber risk partners Charles Taylor and Marsh
- 2023 – Featured speaker, Recorded Future PREDICT conference
- 2023 – Featured speaker, SANS Cybersecurity Leadership Summit
- 2023 – Featured speaker, Six Degrees Threat Intelligence conference
- 2023 – Visiting Cybersecurity Lecturer, Bethel School of Technology
- 2023 – Led critical security elements of Microsoft's security partnership with Barclays
- 2022 – Frequent contributions to Microsoft public guidance, e.g. “Integrating Threat Modeling with DevSecOps”
- 2022 – Visiting Lecturer for Digital & Cyber Security, South Central Institute of Technology
- 2022 – Led critical security elements of Microsoft's 10-year, multi-billion$ partnership with the London Stock Exchange
- 2021 – Featured speaker, Cloud Security Alliance UK conference
- 2021 – Senior Security Strategist & Advisor, Microsoft
- 2018 – Lead Cybersecurity Architect for the UK, Microsoft
- 2017 – Identity, risk analysis, & strategic roadmap, Imperial College London
- 2016 – Established and led the Cyber & InfoSec practice for renowned US management consultancy, Intellinet
- 2015 – Management Consultant for Strategy, BIQed Inc
- 2008 – Lead International Enterprise Architect, WS Atkins/AtkinsRéalis. Established and helped to lead the global enterprise architecture team, and oversaw the IT integration aspects of global mergers & acquisitions across China, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East
- 2003 – Lead US Technical Architect, WS Atkins/AtkinsRéalis
- 1999 – IT Director, Chart Industries
