Thomas Kranz

CISO | Golden Globee® Winner Cybersecurity Consultant I Forbes Technology Council Member I Author of Award-Winning “Making Sense of Cybersecurity” | Non Executive Director

Ponzone, Piedmont, Italy

About

I am an award-winning cybersecurity executive, author, and technology leader with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate risk, regulation, and digital transformation. I have served as CISO and security leader across fintech, cryptocurrency, consulting, government, and enterprise environments, building security programs that enable growth while meeting demanding regulatory and operational requirements. My experience spans cybersecurity strategy, risk management, data governance, privacy, and regulatory compliance, including ISO 27001, GDPR, DORA, MiCA, NIS2, PSD2, SOC2, and financial services regulations. I have worked closely with boards, regulators, investors, and executive leadership teams to transform security from a technical function into a business enabler. I have led programs supporting banking licence applications, M&A due diligence, large-scale digital transformation initiatives, and security functions protecting organizations ranging from startups to billion-euro enterprises. Throughout my career I have delivered measurable business outcomes, including reducing security costs through rationalization and strategy, generating multimillion-euro business opportunities, achieving ISO 27001 certification in record time, and helping organizations improve resilience against sophisticated threats, including nation-state activity. I am also an active voice in cybersecurity policy and professional development. I have spoken at DEF CON, HOPE, and numerous industry conferences, and I currently contribute to digital rights and technology policy initiatives through the European Pirate Party, advocating for privacy, open technology, and effective cybersecurity policy. As an author and industry thought leader, I wrote Making Sense of Cyber Security (Manning Publications), recipient of the Axiom Business Book Awards Bronze Medal, and How Is AI Transforming Cybersecurity? for NVIDIA. My work has appeared in Forbes, Computer Weekly, Security Magazine, and other international publications, and I have been recognized with the Globee Gold Award for Cybersecurity Consultant of the Year, Top Cybersecurity Author by Cyber Defense Magazine, and multiple industry honors. I am passionate about helping organizations build pragmatic, resilient security capabilities, developing future cybersecurity talent, and ensuring that technology, regulation, and public policy work together to create a safer digital world.

Experience

  • Chief Information Security Officer & Data Privacy Officer at Bippit®
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

    Revised and implemented an IT security and GDPR compliant data governance framework for an FCA regulated business, meeting ISO27001 and PSD2 requirements.

  • Member at Tortora Brayda Institute
    May 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

    Tortora Brayda Institute engages business, cultural, government and thought leaders worldwide to reshape and develop collaboration and partnering practices with a view to improving and securing business and economies.

  • Official Member | CISO | Cybersecurity Strategy at Forbes Technology Council
    Aug 2022 - Present · 4 yrs

    Sharing insights and experience on Cybersecurity with Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only organisation for successful senior-level technology executives.

  • CISO | Author | Cybersecurity Consultant | Strategy | Non Executive Director at Cybersecurity and Strategy Consulting
    Sep 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 11 mos

    Providing cyber security leadership and consulting to the private sector • Delivering vCISO services (including cyber security strategy, roadmaps, white papers, and policies) to a wide range of private sector clients across the EMEA region • Produced and presented talks and training on cyber security strategies, policies, and technology at conferences and industry events • Wrote cyber security articles published in both print and digital media • Working on the book “Making Sense of Cyber Security” for Manning Publications, available at https://www.manning.com/books/making-sense-of-cyber-security

  • Chief Information Security Officer at Paybis
    Mar 2026 - May 2026 · 3 mos

    Paybis is a regulated crypto↔fiat infrastructure platform that helps businesses bring digital assets into everyday financial operations. Since 2014, Paybis has operated in 180+ countries, processes over $2B in annual volume, and maintains licensing coverage across the US, EU, and UK.