Dr. Erdal Ozkaya is a globally respected cybersecurity strategist and executive with more than 25 years of experience across information security, risk management, and cyber resilience. His work centers on aligning cybersecurity programs with organizational priorities, improving leadership understanding of cyber risk, and supporting strong, practical security leadership at an international level.
Leadership Roles
Dr. Ozkaya is the President of the Global CISO Forum, where he works closely with cybersecurity leaders to encourage cooperation and knowledge sharing across the global security community. He also serves as Chief Information Security Officer at Morgan State University, leading cybersecurity strategy, governance, and institutional risk management efforts.
Professional Experience
He has held senior leadership positions at Standard Chartered Bank and Microsoft, working with global teams and Fortune 500 organizations to strengthen security programs and improve resilience. In addition, he has worked with leading cybersecurity companies such as Xcitium (formerly Comodo), contributing to security architecture and defensive initiatives.
Education & Certifications
Dr. Ozkaya holds a PhD in Cybersecurity from Charles Sturt University and maintains advanced professional certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer. His background also includes extensive experience in cybersecurity architecture and risk management.
Author & Speaker
He is the author of Cybersecurity Attack and Defence Strategies and Cybersecurity Leadership. Dr. Ozkaya regularly speaks at major international events such as Black Hat Briefings, Microsoft Ignite, and Gartner Security Summit, where he addresses the practical connection between technical security operations and executive decision-making.
Awards & Recognition
His work has been acknowledged through multiple industry awards, including Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), induction into the EC-Council Hall of Fame, and Global Cybersecurity Leader of the Year. These recognitions reflect his long-standing contribution to the global cybersecurity community.
Vision & Impact
Dr. Ozkaya views cybersecurity as a core part of how organizations operate and make decisions. His approach emphasizes practical security strategies, clear risk visibility for senior leadership, and supporting the development of future cybersecurity professionals in an evolving threat landscape.
