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What makes an excellent cybersecurity leader?

The key characteristics of an excellent CISO

More detailed information

Marc will explain based on his experience and talking with 500+ CISO colleagues what makes an excellent cybersecurity leader today.  Marc will focus on a broad knowledge base and adaptability to handle the complex and ever-changing threat landscape. Cybersecurity leaders must prioritize identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks across the organization. Marc will stress that they also need to possess a diverse skill set that combines technical expertise with strategic thinking, enabling them to protect not only data but also business continuity and reputation.


Cybersecurity leaders require more and more soft skills to inspire, guide, and lead teams through cybercrises. As cybersecurity increasingly becomes a business priority, leaders must also possess strong decision-making capabilities and the foresight to invest in proactive solutions rather than reactive ones. Transformational leadership, which embraces innovation and drives cultural change, will define the leaders of tomorrow.


Cybersecurity leaders who foster communication and cooperation will be better equipped to handle the sophisticated, multi-vector attacks of the future. Strategic planning, combined with a long-term vision, will ensure resilience and adaptability in evolving cyber environments with GenAI, Quantum Computing, and more. Tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders will also need to embrace a collaborative approach. Marc will show why internal collaboration with other departments and external cooperation with vendors and industry partners will become even more critical.

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Keynote by 

Marc is a distinguished global leader in security and privacy, with over 30 years of experience working in the cybersecurity and privacy landscape. As the Global Security Leader at Veralto, a $5 billion innovation powerhouse based in Boston with 16.000 employees in 300 locations worldwide, Marc ensures with his security team the protection of mission-critical initiatives spanning clean water, safe food, medicines, and the quality of essential goods. 


In addition to his role at Veralto, Marc also serves as President of SAI.BE, Belgium’s premier IT knowledge association for IT employees, where he drives thought leadership on multiple IT topics.


His passion for sharing his knowledge extends beyond the boardroom - Marc regularly delivers high-impact keynote presentations, moderates expert panels, and contributes to industry podcasts, books, and multiple online global CISO communities (ECSO CISO Community Belgium, ISACA Information Security Advisory Group, ISACA Awards Coordination Group, Datanews Awards Jury, SAI Podcast, etc).


Marc's influence also reaches academia. He is a guest professor at prestigious institutions such as Antwerp Management School, Solvay Brussels School, and TIAS Tilburg, where he mentors the next generation of security leaders. His speaking engagements have captivated audiences of more than 16.000 executives and professionals across 23 countries, making him a sought-after voice in the global security arena. Marc is an elected Fellow of the Hogeheuvelcollege at the University of Leuven in recognition of his contributions to the IT industry. Marc holds certifications in information security (CISM/CISSP), IT risk management (CRISC), and is a certified board director (GUBERNA).


Over the last years, Marc has given more than 100 keynote presentations to groups as large as 2000 and as small as 10. 

Marc Vael

Global Keynote Speaker / Business School Lecturer / Trusted Board Member / Global Security Leader at Veralto

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