United States
Milwaukee/Chicago and Dublin, Ireland based. I’ve spent over two decades leading cybersecurity at the Fortune 500 level, serving as CISO and senior executive across global organizations. Once named as Chicago CISO of the Year, writing 5 books and chapters in 20 others, founding and hosting 190 episodes of SCworld CISO Stories podcast, and recognized as a top-rated speaker at conferences, I am passionate about sharing CISO Leadership knowledge. Today, I focus on selectively supporting boards, executives, and security leaders through keynotes, executive workshops, and facilitated discussions. My work centers on the realities of cybersecurity leadership that don’t show up in frameworks — including: • where the CISO should report and why it matters • leadership accountability and evolving expectations • aligning security strategy with business outcomes • navigating the increasing intersection of cybersecurity, governance, and legal risk I’m the author of CANON Cybersecurity Hall of Fame Winner - CISO Compass: Navigating Cybersecurity Leadership Challenges with Insights from Pioneers, a #1 best-selling leadership book for six consecutive years (2019-2024) developed in collaboration with 75+ cybersecurity leaders, as well as co-author of complementary structured privacy roadmap - The Privacy Leader Compass (2024) developed with 65+ top international privacy experts. My sessions are designed for experienced leaders, not entry-level audiences — practical, interactive, and grounded in real-world decision-making. I no longer pursue conference speaking and instead engage through invited opportunities where I can contribute meaningfully. If you’re looking for a keynote, workshop, or executive discussion on cybersecurity leadership in USA, Canada, or Europe, feel free to reach out to [email protected] .
Teach MSIT program courses in IT Risk Management and Cybersecurity Leadership
Writing and speaking on security leadership issues since 2003 along with the 'day job', CISO SPOTLIGHT, LLC formed in 2018. Authored #1 Best Selling (2019-2024) CISO COMPASS: Navigating Cybersecurity Leadership Challenges with Insights from Pioneers ,contains a comprehensive roadmap with insights from 75+ Top CISOs and Cybersecurity Leaders available at www.amazon.com/author/toddfitzgerald. Co-Author #1 Hot New (Law) Release - The Privacy Leader Compass: A Comprehensive Business-Oriented Roadmap for Building and Leading Practical Privacy Programs (CRC Press, 2024) This book is complementary to the CISO COMPASS and beneficial for CPOs, DPOs and CISOs building and leading robust Privacy programs. Visit www.cisospotlight.com for services description
Reduce cybercrime through the sharing of market leading cybersecurity defense practices. During my 5 year tenure with this great organization serving CISOs and Senior Cybersecurity Leaders, I had the privilege of contributing to some impactful initiatives. Some of the key highlights include: • Founding and hosting the successful CISO Stories Podcast, initially based on my #1 best-selling book, CISO COMPASS, which has held the top spot for six straight years (2019–2024) and delivering 190 weekly episodes with several hundred thousand downloads that engaged and informed CISOs and their teams. • Establishing and chairing the Cybersecurity Collaborative Executive Committee and achieving industry-leading 50/50 racial, ethnic, and gender diversity—far exceeding typical CISO representation. The committee’s insights drove the key initiatives for the Collaborative’s CISO workgroups. • Developing a cybersecurity strategy to educate the next generation of CISOs, establishing a blueprint for leadership development and providing the leading skills required to excel in this critical role. • Promoting CISO engagement in workgroups and Forum attendance, leveraging my personal brand and voice to help grow participation from fewer than 100 CISOs to over 2,000. • Daily commenting on Morning Security Report news stories via social media, engaging an extensive network —most of whom are senior cybersecurity leaders—while providing visibility to the Cybersecurity Collaborative and CyberRisk Alliance mission to protect us all. • Representing CRA at national, international, and local conferences, such as the RSA Conference, ISACA, ISSA, and others, and keynotes at InfosecWorld.
Serve as Chief of Staff for Information Security and Technology Risk supporting the CISO and providing overarching team administrative oversight; assisting in the development, implementation and management of all aspect's of Northern Trust's Information Security and Technology Risk Program; and managing a discrete set of practice areas, backup CISO.
Provide global information security leadership for one of the world's leading independent assurance, tax, and advisory firms. Promote the establishment of global information security standards, solutions, and best practices set by Grant Thornton International for the sake of Grant Thornton member firms consisting of over 42,000 employees across more than 130 countries.