Top 25 Cyber Execs to Watch in 2020

Kris Lovejoy, Global Advisory Cybersecurity Leader, EY

Named EY global advisory cybersecurity leader in 2019, Kris Lovejoy leads more than 7,000 EY employees across the globe to help organizations protect and grow their businesses through proactive cybersecurity initiatives.

Lovejoy launched the EY Security by Design initiative — driving a new mindset toward business and security alignment by building in cybersecurity into every technology-enabled business initiative. The Security by Design philosophy is about enabling trust in systems, designs and data so organizations can take on more risk, lead transformational change and innovate with confidence.

In the face of mounting cyberthreats, many organizations go on the defensive — and miss a golden opportunity to gain a competitive edge by putting enhanced cybersecurity and privacy at the heart of their strategy. The Security by Design approach is created to make sure organizations don’t miss out on these opportunities. 

Why Watch:

Given the need for businesses to adopt more proactive approaches to prepare for cybersecurity crises — which have escalated during the COVID-19 outbreak — Lovejoy is working even closer with clients to help them get ahead of threats by creating the Security of Design culture. Implementing this approach is essential for companies to bridge the divide between the security function and the C-suite and enable the chief information security officer to act as a consultant and enabler instead of the stereotypical roadblock.

Lovejoy is also passionate about promoting diversity in the cybersecurity industry and more broadly in the workplace. She recently spoke about women’s empowerment at the Global Cybersecurity Forum, where she highlighted that the EY security team in Saudi Arabia is now 46% female — an outstanding statistic considering women make up only 12% of the industry. She was recently named a Women Leader in Tech Consulting by Consulting Magazine.