chris krebs

• Managing Risk in a Contested Space: Why Security is a Business Strategy
  Krebs explains why technology alone cannot eliminate threat vectors. He presents a boardroom-level perspective on managing modern risk across four core pillars: technology, bad actors, governmental policy, and the human element. Audiences walk away with a practical playbook for resilience that prioritizes business continuity over futile attempts at absolute protection.

• The Geopolitics of Cyber and Critical Infrastructure

  Drawing on his historic tenure leading CISA, Krebs maps out how modern geopolitical conflicts are waged through private corporate networks. He details the rise of nation-state threat actors, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and why every business must view itself as a critical infrastructure provider under constant threat of hybrid warfare.

• Leading Through Extreme Disruption and Political Storms

  Krebs recounts the intense pressure of securing the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election and the consequences of standing up for truth in the face of immense institutional pushback. This raw, leadership-focused talk teaches executives how to maintain institutional integrity, manage crisis communications under fire, and protect their workforce when the stakes are highest.

• Secure by Demand: Navigating the Next Wave of Tech and AI Risk

  As organizations rush to integrate artificial intelligence, Krebs warns against yesterday's mistakes. He outlines how generative AI alters the threat landscape, shifts developer liability, and explains how boards must adapt their governance frameworks to demand built-in security from vendors.

speaker Bio: 

Chris Krebs is an internationally recognized authority on cybersecurity, risk management, and national resilience who served as the first Director of the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Appointed to lead the newly formed agency in 2018, Krebs was responsible for safeguarding the United States' critical infrastructure against a barrage of sophisticated physical and cyber threats, culminating in the historic effort to secure the 2020 presidential election. His unwavering commitment to transparency and truth led to his highly publicized dismissal after debunking coordinated disinformation campaigns—a stand that cemented his reputation as a leader of absolute integrity.

Before his historic service in the Department of Homeland Security, Krebs directed U.S. cybersecurity policy for Microsoft, bridging the gap between private sector technological innovation and federal security policy. Following his public service, he co-founded the Krebs Stamos Group, a premier cybersecurity consultancy that was acquired by SentinelOne in 2023, where he now serves as Chief Intelligence and Public Policy Officer. A CBS News Contributor and a graduate of both the University of Virginia and the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, Krebs is a trusted advisor to global boards, governments, and Fortune 500 executives navigating the chaotic intersection of technology, politics, and security.

Summary (Core Conviction):

Krebs' unmatched authority stems from the fact that he has defended both the world's most valuable private enterprise and its most targeted public infrastructure under historic pressure. His core philosophy rejects the outdated fantasy of absolute security, introducing instead a realistic framework of systemic risk management: companies must learn to thrive while actively operating in a "contested space." On stage, Krebs strips away complex technical jargon, translating cyber threats into clear business metrics for boardrooms and non-technical executives. For organizations that need to build real resilience, protect global supply chains, and align their leadership around the true nature of modern geopolitical risks, he offers a masterclass in strategic execution, crisis leadership, and unwavering institutional integrity.

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