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Chris Hetner

  • Special Advisor for Cyber Risk at the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
  • Chair of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Council for the NASDAQ Center for Board Excellence
  • Board Director for Simulint and the NACD Connecticut Chapter
  • Research Affiliate with MIT Sloan School of Management and Executive Member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association

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Chris Hetner: Elevating Cyber Risk Governance for Business Resilience

Chris Hetner is a recognized authority in cybersecurity, risk governance, and regulatory oversight, with a distinguished career dedicated to safeguarding industries, infrastructures, and economies from cyber threats. As a Senior Executive, Board Director, and strategic advisor, he specializes in aligning cybersecurity strategies with corporate objectives to enhance operational resilience and protect shareholder value.

A Trusted Cybersecurity Leader in Corporate and Government Spheres

With a deep understanding of cyber risk governance at the highest levels, Hetner has played a pivotal role in shaping cybersecurity policy and regulatory frameworks.  His unique blend of public and private sector leadership experience allows him to advise corporate boards, executive teams, and policymakers on cybersecurity best practices, regulatory compliance, and risk management strategies.

A Visionary in Cyber Resilience and Leadership Development

Beyond his corporate and regulatory impact, Hetner is committed to mentorship and education. He actively engages with students and professionals through programs at Columbia University, NYU, Fordham School of Law, and Pace University. His thought leadership is widely sought by governments, private enterprises, industry associations, and media outlets as organizations grapple with the increasing risks posed to critical infrastructure and global markets.

Cybersecurity for Business Growth and Stability

Chris Hetner doesn’t just protect organizations from cyber threats—he empowers them to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world. His expertise in board governance, regulatory oversight, and cyber resilience makes him a trusted advisor for corporate leaders looking to integrate cybersecurity into their business strategy, mitigate risk, and drive long-term success.

 

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Past Hosts Include:
  • Risk Management Association
  • Yale Club of New York
  • Harvard Club of New York
  • IANS Cybersecurity Community
  • Nasdaq Center of Board Excellence
  • Health-ISAC (Information Sharing and Analysis Center)
  • Columbia University
  • MIT Sloan School of Management
  • CrowdStrike Leadership Conference
  • National Association of Corporate Directors
Chris Hetner: How to Deal with a Fallout of a Cyberattack | Digital Evolution Institute - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Chris Hetner
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Cyber Resilience in the Boardroom: Safeguarding Business in the Age of Digital Risk

In an era where cyber threats are escalating in complexity and frequency, organizations must go beyond IT security and embrace cyber resilience as a core business strategy. In this compelling speech, CHRIS HETNER—renowned cybersecurity leader, board advisor, and regulatory expert—delivers a high-lev ...

In an era where cyber threats are escalating in complexity and frequency, organizations must go beyond IT security and embrace cyber resilience as a core business strategy. In this compelling speech, CHRIS HETNER—renowned cybersecurity leader, board advisor, and regulatory expert—delivers a high-level yet actionable discussion on how corporate leaders can protect their enterprises while ensuring long-term business stability.

Drawing from his extensive experience advising corporate boards, government agencies, and financial institutions, Hetner explores the critical intersection of cybersecurity, risk governance, and shareholder value. He provides insights into emerging cyber risks, including sophisticated ransomware attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and regulatory compliance challenges, all of which demand executive-level attention and strategic action.

With a track record of shaping cybersecurity policy at the highest levels, including his tenure as Senior Cybersecurity Advisor to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Hetner breaks down how businesses can enhance their cyber risk oversight, align cybersecurity with corporate governance, and integrate resilience into strategic decision-making. He also discusses the evolving regulatory landscape and what business leaders need to know about SEC cyber disclosure rules, fiduciary responsibilities, and the expectations of investors and stakeholders.

Beyond risk mitigation, Hetner emphasizes that cybersecurity should be a driver of business growth, competitive advantage, and operational resilience. As the digital economy expands and threats evolve, executives must shift their mindset from cybersecurity as a technical issue to a boardroom imperative. Through real-world case studies, forward-looking insights, and strategic guidance, Hetner equips business leaders with the knowledge and tools to turn cybersecurity into a business enabler, not just a defensive measure.

Whether speaking to C-suite executives, board members, financial leaders, or industry decision-makers, Hetner delivers a pragmatic, engaging, and essential roadmap for navigating the cyber risks of today and the security challenges of tomorrow.

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Biography

Chris Hetner is a Senior Executive, Board Director, and leader in Cybersecurity recognized for raising cyber risk governance to the Executive Suite and Corporate Board level to protect industries, infrastructures, and economies.  He creates operational resilience by aligning robust Cybersecurity strategies with business objectives. Mr. Hetner’s professional judgment combined with a public company perspective and SEC regulatory and investor oversight experience has led to his success in corporate and government roles. Currently, he is the Special Advisor for Cyber Risk for the NACD, Board of Directors for the NACD CT Chapter, Chair of the Cybersecurity and Privacy Council for the NASDAQ Center for Board Excellence, Board of Directors for Simulint, Research Affiliate with MIT Sloan School of Management and Executive Member of the Latino Corporate Director Association. 

Throughout his career, Mr. Hetner has created and launched Cybersecurity programs in the public and private sectors. As business functions transfer to the cloud, he has consistently elevated the issue of enterprise-wide preparedness and continuity to Boards and Executive Management teams. The Covid-19 global pandemic has magnified cyber risks across sectors. Based on the growth of the distributed workforce and the increase in the prevalence of bad actors, the threat and severity levels of cyber breaches have become a security and operational resilience priority.

He served as the Senior Cybersecurity Advisor to the Chair of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and as Head of Cybersecurity for the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examination at the SEC. He also represented the Chair of the SEC as a senior member of the US Department of the Treasury Financial Banking Information Infrastructure Committee. His greatest contributions included vision for and implementation of the first agency wide Cybersecurity governance structure, threat intelligence program, and incident response capabilities. The Cybersecurity framework he implemented improved the National Examination Program’s ability to monitor and respond to Cyber risks and threats across the US Securities market.

Mr. Hetner has also led efforts across financial, regulatory, and government agencies to enhance Cybersecurity coordination in the financial services sector. He successfully led diverse teams, in multiple global locations, through transformative thinking about cyber-risk management, Cybersecurity policy, and regulatory compliance to embrace change and become cultures of action and collaboration. He established governance and risk management structures aligned with strategy and business objectives, while integrating resilience into corporate DNA.

Mr. Hetner’s thought leadership is actively sought by governments, private and public entities, industry associations, and media outlets as the threats to critical infrastructure and economies increase. Throughout his career he has shared his professional expertise by mentoring students at Columbia University, New York University, Fordham School of Law, and Pace University.

He is a Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (ISC2), and holds a high-level USA security clearance. Mr. Hetner earned a MS, cum laude, in Information Assurance from Norwich University and a BS in Security Management from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

 

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