Once named one of the World’s Top 5 Most Notorious Hackers after breaking into a nuclear weapons facility and then working covertly for the US DoD and FBI for several years, Greg is not short of humourous and engaging stories. But what really captivates audiences is his easily understandable yet radical perspective on security that has captivated audiences ranging from university students to Fortune 200 boardrooms.
He is the best-selling author of “Rethinking Infosec” and “What We Call Security”, a former CISO and Chief Technologist at the world’s largest VAR, CDW. His 25-year career has led him to being the Managing Director of Sequoia Consulting where he helps transform security from a growing cost-centre that fights evermore risk to a quality centre that prevents risk from occurring in the first place.
Whether it’s helping businesses achieve more from their security investments, providing vendors with powerful new business narratives around their products, or just entertaining and enlightening audiences with refreshing ideas, Greg is unlikely to disappoint.
Books
What We Call Security
Rethinking Infosec: Thoughts on Why Today's Information Security Doesn't Work, and How We Can Do Better
How to hire Greg van der Gaast
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Greg van der Gaast 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.
Greg van der Gaast's official speaking topics are listed below:
- How Organisations Can Protect Themselves with Unconventional Approaches
- Strategy, Leadership & Human Potential
- Turning Security from a Cost to a Competitive Advantage
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Greg had a great story to tell – it sounded like the script to a Hollywood movie. He gave the audience plenty to think about as he told his amusing tale of misspent youth to a top tech consultant. For security professionals and those who just want to look at problems from a different perspective, Greg gave us food for thought." - Jamie, Learning Programme Manager, Ministry of Defence
"Greg is an inspirational leader. His principle of information security being a quality function across all areas of the business allows for not just risk reduction, but organisational improvement and cost savings that ultimately lead to better products and services, and happy customers. Greg doesn't just think at the departmental level, he understands and considers every aspect of business, company culture and customer needs." - Mike, Information Security Manager, Scoutbee
"Engaging, inspirational, insightful."
"Really positive, useful, completely different twist. Much needed at InfoSec events."
"The best reviews we’ve seen."
"World class."
"Your presentation was extremely well received."
"Incredibly good."
"Epic talk."
"Ranked the highest of all of our presenters."
"You were the star of yesterday’s conference."
"The best chair we’ve had."
"The delegate response from your talk has been excellent, you are a really engaging presenter and people found the advice you gave really constructive and pragmatic."
"[I've] lost count of the amount of times I've recounted things Greg said to my customers and left them in awe."
"Please do send my thanks over to Greg! His part in the event was amazing and definitely provided the wow factor, it was great to see him and Phil talk openly as opposed to death by PowerPoint slides"
"Greg had a great grasp of the industry we operate in and extensive knowledge to share. He presented incredibly well, in a way we could all understand. For future years we would want someone a little more energetic and more high level in terms of content for an opening keynote, but for the time he had to create his presentation he did an exceptional job." - Katherine, Senior Global Events Manager, Ingram Micro
- 2024 - Security Advisor to the Office of the CTO of CDW UK
- 2023 - Author of "What We Call Security"
- 2023 - Chief Technologist of Security for CDW UK
- 2021 - Navigator for Bloor Research
- 2021 - Strategic Security Advisor for Clearco
- 2020 - Author of "Rethinking InfoSec"
- 2020 - Member of the Cyber Expert Group of the Cyber Resilience Centre for Greater Manchester
- 2020 - CISO & Advisor of Scoutbee
- 2019 - Head of Information Security for The University of Salford
- 2019 - Associate CISO of the Francis North Group
- 2018 - Information Security Management for Capita
- 2015 - Owner of Creative Minds Consulting Group (CMCG)
- 2012 - Security Programme Management for QVC
- 2007 - Founder & Lead Consultant of Method-One Consulting Services
- 2005 - Head of Security Architecture for CGI
- 2002 - Senior Consultant for Ordina
- 1999 - Consultant for US Government Agencies
