Keren Elazari Speaker

Keren Elazari Keynote Speaker

  • Internationally recognised researcher, author and speaker on all matters cyber security and hacker culture
  • Has worked with leading security firms, public organisations and Fortune 500 companies
  • Research about cyber security has been featured by Scientific American, WIRED , TED,  CNN, Financial Times and more

Keren Elazari's Biography

Keren Elazari is a globally recognized cybersecurity authority, TED speaker, and strategic advisor — and as she likes to call herself, a friendly hacker. Featured on CNN, Netflix, and the cover of Forbes Israel, and a contributing writer for WIRED UK and the Financial Times, Keren bridges the worlds of cybersecurity, technology, and business leadership — making the hacker mindset accessible to boardrooms, governments, and global audiences.

In 2014, Keren became the first Israeli woman to speak on the main stage of the prestigious TED Conference. Her talk on hackers has been viewed by millions, translated to 30 languages, and chosen for TED’s ‘Most Powerful Ideas.’ Over a decade later, it remains one of the most watched talks on security and hacking on the internet. Named one of Forbes Israel’s 50 most influential women, Keren has since delivered hundreds of keynotes across six continents for organizations including Google, Deutsche Telekom, AXA, Mastercard, Allianz, SAP, and CISCO.

Keren brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and mainstream storytelling ability. A veteran of Israeli Defense Forces intelligence — where she served for a decade including as a cybersecurity officer — she holds an MA in Security Studies and the CISSP international certification and serves as a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center. Her keynotes blend cutting-edge threat intelligence with insights on AI, digital trust, and the hacker mindset — turning complex cybersecurity topics into actionable strategies for leaders across every industry.

Beyond the stage, Keren is the founder of BSidesTLV, Israel’s largest hacker community conference (est. 2015), and the global Leading Cyber Ladies network for women in cybersecurity. She is co-author of the Amazon bestselling book Women in Tech (Penguin Random House, 2016) and proudly supports the HackeRiot.org initiative to make cybersecurity career paths accessible to women of all backgrounds.

Read More

Keren Elazari's Speaking Topics

  • The Hacker Mindset: How the World’s Best Problem-Solvers Think

What do ethical hackers, elite entrepreneurs, and the world’s most innovative organizations have in common? They think like hackers — embracing curiosity, challenging assumptions, and finding creative solutions to impossible problems. In this keynote, Keren draws on 25 years in the hacker world to reveal a powerful framework for innovation, resilience, and competitive advantage that applies far beyond cybersecurity. Ideal for leadership summits, innovation events, and cross-industry conferences.

  • The Future of AI — From a Hacker’s Perspective

With a hacker’s lens, Keren explores AI’s transformative role in the disinformation age. Acting as a tour guide for the audience, Keren showcases how hackers embrace AI and details the strategies organizations need to focus on right now, to truly benefit from AI’s potential — and stay ahead of its threats.

  • Malicious Innovation in the Cybercriminal Ecosystem

Step into the sophisticated world of cybercriminal innovation, where threat actors constantly evolve their tactics and technologies. This talk exposes the inner workings of criminal markets, emerging attack techniques, and economic drivers fueling cybercrime. By understanding how adversaries operate and innovate, defenders can better prepare for tomorrow’s threats.

  • AI, Digital Warfare & the Future of Cybersecurity

AI-powered threats, deepfake deception, and nation-state cyber warfare are reshaping the security landscape. From the battlefields of the Middle East to the digital frontlines of Eastern Europe and the Pacific, cyber operations are now inseparable from geopolitics. Keren explores how nations leverage digital weapons, what this means for businesses and citizens, and how organizations can build resilience in an era of persistent digital conflict.

  • Building Digital Trust in the Age of AI

As AI reshapes every industry, trust has become the most valuable — and most fragile — currency in business. Drawing on her experience advising Fortune 500 companies and governments, Keren explores what digital trust really means, how it’s being undermined, and what leaders across finance, insurance, healthcare, and technology must do to earn and maintain it. Ideal for board-level audiences and C-suite events.

Read More

Why Book Keren Elazari as a speaker?

  • She brings frontline cybersecurity expertise from Israeli Defense Forces intelligence together with academic research at Tel Aviv University, helping organisations understand the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

  • She translates the hacker mindset, AI-driven cyber risk and digital trust into clear strategic insights that enable leaders to anticipate disruption and strengthen resilience.

  • She is a globally recognised keynote speaker whose widely viewed TED talk and hundreds of international engagements have made complex cybersecurity issues accessible to mainstream audiences.

  • Her briefings equip boards and executive teams with practical frameworks to rethink security, foster innovation and build a culture that treats cybersecurity as a strategic advantage rather than a technical problem.

Videos of Keren Elazari

Meet Keren Elazari - The Friendly Hacker!
AI vs the hackers
ChatGPT's evil cousin: Explaining WormGPT & Malicious Uses of Generative AI
KEYNOTE Keren Elazari at SPHERE24
Hackers: the internet's immune system | Keren Elazari

Articles, Media & Podcasts

Books by Keren Elazari

Women in Tech: Take Your Career to the Next Level with Practical Advice and Inspiring Stories

Comments & Testimonials

“From the seamless and professional prep for the speech, to the actual delivery without notes and perfectly fitted for this audience, Keren’s interesting questions and enthusiasm for the rest of the event — it has been a pleasure to work with Keren and a real inspiration, too.”
Google
“Extremely relevant and thought provoking — the highlight of the event!”
Cisco
“We should all welcome friendly hackers… very inspiring session.”
SAP
“The speech inspired many of our colleagues to follow your recommendations. The enthusiastic responses to your presentation by everyone watching across Allianz showed that your efforts were successful, and it truly was a great experience for all of us around the globe.”
Allianz SE
“Internal and external feedback was extremely positive. It was an engaging and very informative session which had a very refreshing effect on the overall program. Also, it was very nice working with Keren — she was well prepared and a very accommodating and friendly person, especially also in interaction with clients.”
Fortune 100 Finance Organization
“We really wanted to highlight your outstanding speech. It was an extraordinary presentation. Your insights were eye-opening and have an utmost relevance to us. I have had many of the attendees’ feedback on your session, sharing how inspiring and valuable it was for their thinking and planning their year ahead.”
Fortune 500 Insurance Company

Check Keren Elazari's speaking fees and availability

Discover other speakers

Shane Harris Speaker
Exclusive
Shane Harris
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and national security expert
Edward Lucas Speaker
Exclusive
Edward Lucas
Independent Expert in European and Transatlantic security
Matthew Gould Speaker
Exclusive
Matthew Gould
Conservation Advocate​ & Diplomat
Jeremy Fleming Speaker
Exclusive
Jeremy Fleming
Former Director of GCHQ
Gregory Mone Speaker
Exclusive
Gregory Mone
Former technology columnist at Popular Science
Will Dixon
Will Dixon Speaker
Exclusive
Will Dixon
Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI and Former Global Head of Intelligence at Barclays
Dominic Murphy
Dominic Murphy Speaker
Exclusive
Dominic Murphy
Crisis Leadership Authority & Former Commander, SO15 Counter Terrorism Command
Jonathan Berry Speaker
Jonathan Berry Speaker
Exclusive
Jonathan Berry
AI Governance Advocate, Innovation Strategist & Global Thought Leader
Paul Draper Speaker
Exclusive
Paul Draper
Cognitive anthropologist and Las Vegas headliner
David Jacoby Speaker
Exclusive
David Jacoby
Top hackers & world-renowned cybersecurity expert