Editor’s
SecuringTomorrow: Celebrating Visionary Leaders in Cybersecurity
Inanerawheretechnologyfuelsprogress,theguardianshipofdigitaltrusthasneverbeen
more vital. Cybersecurity today is not merely a business function, it is the foundation upon which economies, enterprises, and societies rest. As 2025 unfolds, the digital battlefield grows increasingly complex, with rising threats fueled by artificial intelligence, globalconnectivity,andtheexpandingInternetofThings.Atthesametime,opportunitiesto innovate,safeguard,andtransformhaveneverbeengreater.
ThiseditionofInsightsSuccesstitled,TopLeadersLeadingCybersecurityIndustryin2025, celebratesthevisionarieswhoarenotjustdefendingnetworksbutshapingthefutureofdigital resilience. These leaders stand at the intersection of technology, strategy, and ethics, navigatingriskswhileunlockingpossibilities.Theychampionamindsetthatcybersecurityis notonlyaboutfirewallsandencryption,butaboutfosteringtrust,empoweringinnovation,and enablingsustainablegrowth.
Throughtheirleadership,theyareredefiningwhatitmeanstobesecureinanever-changing landscape. They demonstrate that true cybersecurity leadership requires foresight, collaboration, and above all, a commitment to safeguarding people as much as data. From implementingzero-trustframeworkstopioneeringAI-drivendefensesystems,theseleaders aresettingbenchmarksthatinspireorganizationsworldwide.
As you turn these pages, you will find stories of resilience, innovation, and purpose. They remind us that the greatest defense against uncertainty is not just technology, but visionary leadershipthatkeepspeopleandprogressatthecenter.
We are proud to highlight these remarkable individuals whose work ensures that our increasinglydigitalworldremainssecure,trusted,andfullofpromise.
HappyReading!
PrestonBannister
Securing Businesses
The Rising Influence of Cybersecurity Leaders
MIKE CRANDALL
Leading the Charge to Secure Futures in a Digital Age
TOP LEADERS LEADING CYBERSECURITY INDUSTRY IN 2025
Brief Featuring Company
Brandon
Boe cher Deputy Program Lead
Concordia University csp.edu
Evan
Francen CEO & Founder
SecurityStudio securitystudio.com
A dynamic problem-solver skilled in program management, strategic execu on, and team collabora on, with a strong ability to deliver results under demanding and evolving environments.
A passionate entrepreneur and security expert focused on awareness, training, and community building, empowering businesses and individuals to strengthen cybersecurity resilience through prac cal guidance and educa on.
Ma hew F. Ferraro
Partner
Mike Crandall
CEO
Paul Hershberger
Cybersecurity Execu ve
Crowell & Moring crowell.com
Digital Beachhead digitalbeachhead.com
glg insights glginsights.com
An accomplished professional known for exper se in policy, governance, and risk management, blending legal acumen with strategic insight to address global security and compliance challenges.
A visionary leader recognized for driving business growth, building high-performing teams, and guiding organiza ons through complex challenges with exper se in leadership, strategy, and innova on.
A cybersecurity specialist with deep exper se in threat intelligence, risk mi ga on, and digital defense strategies, dedicated to protec ng organiza ons from evolving cyber risks and vulnerabili es.
MikeCrandall CEO DigitalBeachhead
The Front Page Exclusive
MIKE CRANDALL
Leading the Charge to Secure Futures in a Digital Age
“ “
When we realized that the effort to maintain, continue to win and grow was slower than we had hoped, the company pivoted into supporting companies working with those agencies to become more cybersecure based on the NIST 800-171 requirements levied on them.”
Leaders who possess both vision and tenacity are not commoninaworldwherecyber-attacksaregaining the upper hand over traditional defenses Mike Crandall, CEO of Digital Beachhead, is an individual whose journey is shaped through decades of military life, entrepreneurial resilience, and a steadfast commitment to protectsmallandmediumbusinesses,themostoverlookedof thedigitalworld.SecurityhasalwaysbeenforCrandallnotan issueofencryptionandfirewallsbutoneofservice,trust,and buildingfutures.
Hisintegrityasacybersecurityprofessionalandhisvoiceas an author and mentor to the next generation are what make himdifferent.Hewritesandspeaksaboutthegoalofguiding young adults into successful careers and lives, particularly those struggling with ambiguity. His "crawl, walk, run" approach forms the basis of his philosophy, used from businessstrategytoleadershipdevelopmentandpresentinga challenge to would-be leaders to emphasize progress rather thanperfection.
Heisstillcombiningmilitarydisciplineandpeopleleadership astheheadofDigitalBeachheadtoday,pushingemployeesas well as readers to perceive challenges as opportunities to develop. In doing so, Crandall is modeling an exemplary mode of leadership which protects futures as well as networks.
ADifferentKindofService
That community, Crandall discovered, was the underserved small and medium-sized business (SMB) sector. After reviewing the cybersecurity landscape, he found that while mostcompaniesfocusedonenterprise-levelclientswithdeep pockets, smaller businesses often the backbone of local economies were left to fend for themselves in an increasinglydangerousdigitalworld.
Digital Beachhead was born from this revelation, but not withoutitsownjourneyofadaptationandgrowth.Likemany startups, the company began with a focused vision that evolved with market realities. Initially, Digital Beachhead concentrated solely on winning Department of Defense and other government contracts a natural fit given Crandall's military background. However, when growth proved slower thananticipated,thecompanymadeitsfirststrategicpivot.
"When we realized that the effort to maintain, continue to win andgrowwasslowerthanwehadhoped,thecompanypivoted into supporting companies working with those agencies to become more cybersecure based on the NIST 800-171
requirements levied on them." he recalls. This shift proved prescient, as businesses working with government agencies increasingly found themselves subject to stringent cybersecurityrequirementstheywereill-equippedtomeet.
TheCrawl,Walk,RunPhilosophy
What sets Digital Beachhead apart in the crowded cybersecurity market isn't just its focus on SMBs, but its approach to serving them. Crandall and his team operate on what he calls a "crawl, walk, then run mindset," understandingthatsmallercompaniesfacegenuinefinancial constraints that can't be wished away with one-size-fits-all solutions.
"Starting small ourselves, I understood the financial limitations that companies face. It isn't about solving all the challenges upfront but building a plan to work towards a deeper cybersecurity solution as the company grows " Crandallexplains.
This philosophy reflects Crandall's military training, where incremental progress and adaptive strategies often mean the difference between mission success and failure. Rather than overwhelming clients with comprehensive (and expensive) security overhauls, Digital Beachhead works to uncover the best possible solutions within existing budgets, creating roadmaps for enhanced security as businesses grow and mature.
LeadershipThroughExample
Crandall's leadership style stands out in an industry often characterized by technical expertise divorced from human understanding. His approach is deeply rooted in his military experience, where leadership meant more than just giving orders it meant inspiring others to excel beyond what they thoughtpossible.
A recent example perfectly illustrates this philosophy in action. When Digital Beachhead became an Authorized Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), the certification processrequiredmultiplecoursesandtwochallengingexams for team members to become CMMC Certified Assessors (CCA).Ratherthansimplydirectinghisteamtocompletethe requirements, Crandall took the same courses and exams himself.
“ “
I think many leaders provide management which, to me, is not leadership. Managers direct their teams to achieve tasks and expect results, where leaders inspire their teams to achieve not just tasks but to excel in everything they do. Results are achieved based on the team's desire to perform and not the requirement to perform.”
“ “
As with most new technologies, we often build the cybersecurity far too late and leave ourselves at risk while defense technologies try to keep pace, whether it is AI, quantum computing, or the next 'new' technology to come, we must work diligently to keep pace and develop new cybersecurity abilities to match."
It wasn’t for the purpose of conducting assessments, but rather because he understood the challenge of becoming certifiedandwantedhisteamtoknowhewaswiththemonthe journey.Whenateambelievesintheirleader,seesthatheis willing to get in the trenches and take on the hard things alongsidethem,theytendtoworkharderandgainconfidence inthemselvestoexcelineverythingtheydo.
This distinction between management and leadership is crucial to understanding Crandall's approach. "I think many leaders provide management which, to me, is not leadership. Managers direct their teams to achieve tasks and expect results, where leaders inspire their teams to achieve not just tasks but to excel in everything they do. Results are achieved basedontheteam'sdesiretoperformandnottherequirement toperform."heobserves.
NavigatinganEver-EvolvingLandscape
Thecybersecurityindustryisperhapsoneofthemostrapidly evolvingsectorsintechnology,withnewthreatsemergingas quickly as solutions are developed. Digital Beachhead's ability to adapt has been tested multiple times, and each challenge has led to strategic expansion rather than just pivoting.
After establishing a rhythm in supporting government contractors, the company expanded to work with manufacturers and medical technology companies, helping them develop enhanced cybersecurity strategies Most recently,DigitalBeachheadreturnedtoitsrootsbybecoming an assessment organization for the Department of Defense within the CMMC ecosystem, a move that required the companytoundergothesamerigorousassessmentprocessit nowprovidestoclients.
Crandallnoteswithevidentpridethatcurrentlyfewerthan80 companies have successfully completed the requirements to become an assessment organization. He explains that the Department of Defense has recently implemented the requirementforanyorganizationwishingtobidoncontracts to pass an assessment and obtain CMMC certification. At present, it is estimated that more than 50,000 organizations willneedthiscertification.
AddressingTomorrow'sChallengesToday
Looking ahead, Crandall sees cybersecurity challenges that keep pace with technological advancement and sometimes outrun it. The emergence of AI, quantum computing, and advancedautomationpresentsbothopportunitiesandthreats thatrequireconstantvigilanceandadaptation.
"Cybersecurity threats seem to change at the speed of light while tools to protect systems lag behind, AI has helped bad actors create more authentic-looking attacks but also helps cyber defenders more rapidly find patterns in the data to identify attacks. Quantum computing will bring a whole new level of cybersecurity attacks as our basic encryption systems inusenowwillbecomeobsolete."heobserves.
His perspective on these emerging technologies reflects the pragmatic realism of someone who has seen technological shiftsthroughouthiscareer Datathatcurrentlytakesyearsto decrypt could be compromised in hours or minutes with quantum computing capabilities The solution, Crandall argues,isn'ttofeartheseadvancesbuttomaintaintheagility toadaptdefensesasquicklyasthreatsevolve.
“ “
Cybersecurity threats seem to change at the speed of light while tools to protect systems lag behind, AI has helped bad actors create more authentic-looking attacks but also helps cyber defenders more rapidly nd patterns in the data to identify attacks. Quantum computing will bring a whole new level of cybersecurity attacks as our basic encryption systems in use now will become obsolete."
"As with most new technologies, we often build the cybersecurity far too late and leave ourselves at risk while defense technologies try to keep pace, whether it is AI, quantum computing, or the next 'new' technology to come, we must work diligently to keep pace and develop new cybersecurityabilitiestomatch."hewarns.
BuildingtheNextGeneration
Perhaps nowhere is Crandall's commitment to service more evident than in Digital Beachhead's approach to addressing the cybersecurity talent shortage Rather than simply competingforexistingtalent,thecompanyhasdevelopedan internship program that bridges the gap between newly trainedcybersecuritypersonnelandtheecosystem'sneedfor experiencedtechnicians.
"Byacceptinginternsinthismanner,wecanbuildthemintoa great team member for ourselves or have them as a great new resource for other cybersecurity companies we partner with. Being a good community member, we hope, attracts not only the newly trained but the experienced workforce as well." Crandallexplains.
The company also works directly with Department of Defensetransitionprograms,helpingmilitarypersonnelfind civilian cybersecurity careers a natural extension of Crandall'sownjourneyfrommilitaryservicetoprivatesector leadership.
Purpose-DrivenMission
What emerges from conversations with Crandall is a leader whoseescybersecuritynotmerelyasabusinessopportunity but as a mission critical to national and global security His team shares this perspective, viewing their work as part of a larger effort to deter cybercriminals and protect not just individualclientsbutthebroaderdigitalinfrastructureweall dependon.
"Our team believes in the mission of providing cybersecurity notonlytoprotectourclientsbutinthegreaterpicturetohelp protectournationandthenationsofourclients.Wedonotsee cybersecurity as just a job or a service we provide but view it as a purposeful mission to deter cybercriminals in achieving theirgoals."heexplains.
This sense of purpose extends to Digital Beachhead's client relationships,whichCrandalldescribesaspartnershipsrather than traditional vendor relationships. The company often provides business connections and opportunities beyond
cybersecurityservices,viewingclientsuccessasinseparable fromtheirown.
Crandall often emphasizes that they are not just a service provider but a member of their clients’team. He takes this ideal seriously, believing that his personal sense of success comesonlythroughthesuccessofhisteamandhisclients.
LegacyandLookingForward
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and multiply, Crandall's vision for success remains remarkably humancentered.Success,tohim,isn'tmeasuredbymarketshareor revenuealone,butbytheprofessionalandpersonalgrowthof histeamandthesecurityachievementsofhisclients.
"Success is not something I place an endpoint to. Success to me is seeing the Digital Beachhead family grow professionally, personally, and that the team finds their own individual successes achieved. My success is their success; theirsuccessisthecompany'ssuccess."hereflects.
For the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, Crandall's advice is characteristically straightforward: "Lead from the front and move forward, always forward. Mistakes can and will happen, but if we look at our failures as simply steppingstones to success, we maintain that positive forward momentum.Trustinyourselfandtrustinyourteam.Ifyoucan findawaytoinspirethemtoexcel,theywilldojustthat."
Inanindustryoftenfocusedonthetechnicalcomplexitiesof digitalthreats,MikeCrandallstandsoutasaleaderwhonever losessightofthehumanelement—bothintheteamsheleads and the communities he serves. His work at Digital Beachhead represents more than just another cybersecurity company; it's a mission to democratize digital security and buildamoreresilientfutureforbusinessesofallsizes.
As cyber-attacks increasingly target smaller, less secure organizationsasentrypointstolargercompanies,Crandall's vision of affordable cybersecurity for the SMB community takes on strategic importance far beyond individual client relationships. By protecting the digital beachhead of small and medium businesses, he and his team are contributing to the security of the entire digital ecosystem one client, one assessment,andonesuccessfuldefenseatatime.
From Defense to Strategy
The pace at which digital change is moving across sectors has placed cybersecurity at the forefront of the business agenda. As corporations increasingly dependoncloudcomputing,distantworkers,andnetworksof networks,thejobofthecybersecurityleaderhasevolvedfrom anoff-stagetechnicalfunctiontobecomealeadingmemberof the corporate board.Today's CISOs and security leaders are notonlyinchargeofprotectingvaluableassetsbutalsomust bestrategicleadersinenablinggrowth,riskmanagement,and stakeholdertrust.Thefutureleadershipofcybersecurityinthe newworldmustconsistofatechnicalskillsetcombinedwith business acumen and emerging threat predictive capability Leadership will have to be capable of translating
sophisticated security problems into operating plans that include points of convergence between boards, regulators, and employees. As threats decrease in visibility, leadership here will become increasingly dependent on anticipation, cooperation,andresponsiveness.
DiversifyingtheRoleofCybersecurityLeadership
Historically, cybersecurity leadership was about defending systemsandbeingcompliantwiththelaw Allofthesearestill requiredbutnotthetotaljobrequirementanymore.Security leaderstodaymusttakeonagreatermissionwhichincludes cybersecurity in everything the business does, including
product design and supply chain, customer and investor facing. Security is not only a technical barrier but an organizationalsupportforresilienceandcompetitiveness.
Thisexpansionalsomeansrequestingleaderstoengagehandin-handwithexecutivecounterparts,boardsofdirectors,and regulators.Theymustarticulateriskinsimpletermsthatnontechnicalstakeholderswillvalue,demystifyingtheprobable impactofacyber-attackonreputation,revenue,andbusiness continuity. Effective cybersecurity leadership today implies creating cross-departmental alliances, integrating security mindset into strategy choices, and building a culture of awareness within the firm. Here, leadership doesn't refer to exclusive ownership of cybersecurity but that the whole businessiseveryone'sresponsibilitycollectively
RampagingThreatsandTechnology
Thethreatenvironmentforcybersecurityisunderway,driven as much by emerging technologies as by imagination by criminals.Artificialintelligence,quantumcomputing,andthe maturation of pervasively internet-connective devices are redefining the attack surface in ways that require visionary leadership. Concurrently, nation-state cyber operations and crime syndicates are increasing the intensity and sophistication of their operations. Cybersecurity leaders in the future will have to defend against not only expected threats,butalsoagainstunseenorunknownthreats.
Overcoming these threats involves investment in predictive tools such as threat intelligence and analytics that allow organizations to locate anomalies before they escalate into breaches. Leaders also need to build agility within their organizationssotheycanswitchdefensesrapidlywhennew technology appears or regulations alter. Other than technology, leaders should be capable of anticipating how changing geopolitics, economics, and society could drive cyber risk. For example, disruptions in global supply chains or international conflicts may bring new threats to organizations. The ability to foresee and prepare for those uncertainties will distinguish successful cybersecurity leaders from those that remain reactive. The second is the growing emphasis put on cyber resilience. Leaders can no longer be blessed with the luxury of being able to remain solely focused on prevention and must now build recovery andcontinuityplans.
CreatingtheNextGenerationofCybersecurityLeaders
Future cybersecurity leadership will be dependent to a great extentontalentdevelopment.Thereismuchgreaterdemand
for good employees than there is supply, so it is an urgent requirementtofind,build,andkeepfutureleaders.Alongwith technical skill, future leaders will also require a blend of strategic thinking, communication skill, and integrity based upon values Building this talent requires deliberate investment in education, mentoring, and cross-functional development. Organizations that fail to invest in leadership pipelinesputthemselvesatriskofnotbeingpreparedforthe growingcomplexityofthedigitalage.
Equally important is the institutionalization of diversity in cybersecurity leadership. Greater diversity of perspective enhancestheabilitytoanticipatethreatsandcreateinclusive solutions. Leaders must work towards reducing barriers to entry,engagingunderrepresentedgroups,andcreatingspace whereinnovationisinvited.Bydoingso,theynotonlycreate stronger organizations for themselves but also create a strongercybersecuritycommunityglobally.Withdigitaltrust being the business Success factor, developing diverse and effectiveleadershipwillbeastrategicimperative.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity leadership stands on the brink of a transformativerevolution.Thisnewrolehaslongsinceleftits engineering roots behind, taking the strategic role of organizational strength, decision-making and shareholder confidence. Leaders will have to navigate a shifting threat environment, predict game-changers in tech, and develop robust talent pipelines that can hand the baton over It will require an end-to-end approach with technical know-how blended with business sense, adaptability, and a global leadership perspective. Those organizations which position cybersecurity leadership as a strategic necessity, rather than an IT necessity, will be best placed to thrive in the digital economy Asbusinessandtechnologylinesconverge,thefate oftheenterprisewillnotonlybeinthehandsofcybersecurity leaderstosafeguardbutalsotodetermine.
www.insightssuccessmagazine.com
THE RISING INFLUENCE
Securing Businesses
Theimportanceofcybersecurityexecutiveshasnever been greater in the hyperconnected world of today, where businesses mostly depend on digital infrastructure.Cyberattacksarenowworldwidehazardsthat have major repercussions for people, governments, and corporations.
Thishasplacedcybersecurityleadersattheforefrontnotonly as protectors of systems but also as strategic influences shapingthefutureofresilience.Theirinfluencenowextends far beyond ITdepartments, reaching the boardroom, policymakingdiscussions,andeventhepublicsphere.
FromGuardianstoStrategicAdvisors
Formanyyears,cybersecuritywasseenpurelyasatechnical safeguard. Firewalls, antivirus tools, and intrusion detection
were viewed as the primary weapons against digital threats. But with the rise of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, andtheInternetofThings(IoT),thedigitalenvironmenthas expandedatanunprecedentedpace.Thistransformationhas redefined the responsibilities of cybersecurity leaders. No longer just technical guardians, they now serve as trusted advisors who provide critical guidance on risk, compliance, andgrowthstrategies.
Executivesandboardsincreasinglydependoncybersecurity leaders when making decisions about new investments, partnerships,orexpansionplans.Astrongsecurityframework is not only a shield against threats but also a competitive advantage, reflecting an organization’s reliability and commitment to customer trust. This shift underscores the importance of blending deep technical knowledge with business insight a balance that modern cybersecurity leadersmasterfullydeliver
TheHuman-CenteredApproachtoSecurity
Technology alone cannot solve the challenges of cybersecurity People remain a major factor in both vulnerabilityanddefense.Thesurgeofphishingcampaigns, social engineering tactics, and insider risks has shown how human behavior often dictates the strength of an organization’s security posture Cybersecurity leaders recognizethisrealityandhaveplacedhumanawarenessatthe centeroftheirstrategies.
By cultivating a culture of security-first thinking, they empoweremployeestoactasthefirstlineofdefense.Equally important, they emphasize communication and empathy Technical jargon can often alienate non-technical staff, so effective cybersecurity leaders translate complex risks into simple, relatable terms. This human-centered approach not onlybuildsstrongerdefensesbutalsopromotesunitywithin organizations.
CybersecurityLeadersasChangeAgents
As digital transformation sweeps across industries, cybersecurity leaders have become essential change agents. Rather than being perceived as obstacles to progress, they nowenableorganizationstoinnovatewithconfidence.Their role extends into ensuring regulatory compliance, managing crisessuchasransomwareattacks,andsteeringorganizations backontrackduringdifficulttimes.
When cyber incidents occur, it is their leadership that determines how quickly an organization can recover By guidingcompaniesthroughuncertainty,theydemonstratenot only resilience but also vision. These qualities adaptability, foresight, and decisiveness elevate cybersecurity leaders beyondtechnicalspecialistsintodriversoflong-termgrowth andstability
GlobalReachandPolicyImpact
The influence of cybersecurity leaders also extends to the global stage Their expertise is increasingly sought by governmentsandinternationalorganizationsthatareshaping policiesonprivacy,dataprotection,anddigitaldefense.Their insights help set the framework for responsible technology useandcross-bordercooperation.
On a broader scale, the way cybersecurity leaders communicate during crises can shape public trust. When a breach occurs, transparency and accountability are key to restoring confidence. A thoughtful and measured response canstrengthenreputation,whilepoorhandlingofsuchevents can cause lasting damage. In this way, cybersecurity leaders
play a role not just in organizational security but in the stabilityofdigitaleconomiesworldwide.
DefiningSkillsfortheFuture
The growing influence of cybersecurity leaders is closely linked to their evolving skillset. Beyond technical mastery, theyexcelinriskmanagement,effectivecommunication,and visionary thinking. They anticipate threats, align strategies with business goals, and remain adaptable in a rapidly changingtechnologicallandscape.
Perhaps most importantly, they are learning to see cybersecurityasmorethanacostofdoingbusiness.Instead, theyviewitasanenablerofinnovationandtrust.Thismindset is reshaping industries and proving that security can drive value,notjustpreventloss.
TheHumanTouchinLeadership
What makes today’s cybersecurity leaders stand out is their abilitytocombinetechnicalexpertisewithhumanleadership. In moments of crisis, they remain steady and empathetic, guiding their teams with confidence. During times of innovation,theyencouragecollaborationandcreativitywhile upholding accountability This balance of strength and empathy fosters trust, not just within organizations but also amongcustomersandstakeholders.
By bridging the gap between technology and humanity, cybersecurity leaders are redefining what it means to safeguard the digital age. Their work is not only about defendingsystemsbutaboutbuildingresilientorganizations thatthriveinuncertainty.
Conclusion:ShapingTomorrow’sDigitalWorld
The rising influence of cybersecurity leaders is a defining feature of our digital era. Once confined to technical silos, they now shape strategies, inform global policy, and strengthenculturesofresilience.Theiruniquecombinationof technicalknowledge,vision,andhumanconnectionpositions themasindispensablearchitectsofthefuture.
Asthecyberlandscapegrowsmorecomplex,onetruthstands clear: the digital world will be shaped not only by technological innovation but also by the foresight and leadershipofcybersecurityleaderswhostandatthefrontlines ofchange.
