In a world where CISOs are expected to have decades of experience and a perfect corporate persona, I took a different route—one built on authenticity, strong opinions, and real human connections. Over the past year, I’ve grown a significant LinkedIn following, been invited to speak on numerous podcasts, and traveled the world sharing my insights—not by playing it safe, but by leaning into who I actually am.

This talk is about how you can build a genuine personal brand in cybersecurity (or any industry) without pretending to be someone you’re not. We’ll discuss choosing a style and sticking to it, why consistency matters, and how to balance being both real and opinionated without being reckless. Most importantly, we’ll cover how networking and trust-based relationships still drive real success, and how giving value first leads to opportunities that can change your career.

If you’ve ever wanted to grow your voice, land speaking engagements, or just stand out in a crowded industry—this talk is for you. No filters, no gimmicks—just real strategies that work. Because your personal brand should be built on who you are, not who you think the industry wants you to be.