Ben Hanson creates clarity for the most critically-important organisations on the planet. As a Senior Security Strategist and Advisor at Microsoft, he partners with the CISOs and other security leaders at the world’s largest Financial Services institutions, guiding them through the complex interplay between business and security objectives, risk, technology,... Read more
Ben Hanson creates clarity for the most critically-important organisations on the planet. As a Senior Security Strategist and Advisor at Microsoft, he partners with the CISOs and other security leaders at the world’s largest Financial Services institutions, guiding them through the complex interplay between business and security objectives, risk, technology, and cultural transformation. He is a disarmingly transparent, funny, and warm storyteller who challenges the hidden assumptions and biases that inhibit progress in cybersecurity (and beyond).
He is also a recognised expert in a broad range of security, identity, and cloud technologies. This expertise, combined with his strategy and transformation acumen, makes him a compelling and sought-after thought leader and speaker (Cambridge University, SANS, Cloud Security Alliance, British Computing Society, Chartered Institute of Information Security, InfoSec, Recorded Future, Microsoft, and many others). He is able to connect with audiences at every level, from the boardroom to the server room.
A 25-year industry veteran, Ben’s insights are experiential, not conceptual. He works daily in the trenches with executives and engineers alike, advising leaders in diverse and complex organisations such as HSBC, Barclays, Santander, Lloyds Banking Group, Bank of England, London Stock Exchange, NatWest Group, Elavon, US Bank, GSK, Legal and General, National Grid, and Maersk.
Key Achievements:
2024 – Featured speaker, Recorded Future CISO Office Hours podcast
2024 – Featured speaker, Aspire Modern Work conference
2024 – Featured speaker, Cambridge University, Secure by Design conference
2024 – Featured speaker, Microsoft Operational Resilience and Security in Financial Services seminar
2024 – Published “Keeping on Top of Evolving Cyber Risks” whitepaper with insurance and cyber risk partners Charles Taylor and Marsh
2023 – Featured speaker, Recorded Future PREDICT conference
2023 – Featured speaker, SANS Cybersecurity Leadership Summit
2023 – Featured speaker, Six Degrees Threat Intelligence conference
2023 – Visiting Cybersecurity Lecturer, Bethel School of Technology
2023 – Led critical security elements of Microsoft’s security partnership with Barclays
2022 – Frequent contributions to Microsoft public guidance, e.g. “Integrating Threat Modeling with DevSecOps”
2022 – Visiting Lecturer for Digital & Cyber Security, South Central Institute of Technology
2022 – Led critical security elements of Microsoft’s 10 year, multi-billion$ partnership with London Stock Exchange
2021 – Featured speaker, Cloud Security Alliance UK conference
2021 – Senior Security Strategist & Advisor, Microsoft
2018 – Lead Cybersecurity Architect for the UK, Microsoft
2017 – Identity, risk analysis, & strategic roadmap, Imperial College London
2016 – Established and led the Cyber & InfoSec practice for renowned US management consultancy, Intellinet
2015 – Management Consultant for Strategy, BIQed Inc
2008 – Lead International Enterprise Architect, WS Atkins/AtkinsRéalis. Established and helped to lead the global enterprise architecture team, oversaw the IT integration aspects of global mergers & acquisitions across China, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East
2003 – Lead US Technical Architect, WS Atkins/AtkinsRéalis
1999 – IT Director, Chart Industries