Print Issue: December 08, 2014

Hang around IT security long enough and several of the same names keep popping up. With good reason. They have both vision and influence and they aren’t afraid to use them.

These explorers’ findings of critical vulnerabilities – from Heartbleed to Shellshock – have generated excitement, along with awareness, and made an indelible mark on security.

Blessed are the influencers for they will make a true difference – through policy, vision, drive, innovation and ideas – in the course of information security. What sets our selection apart is that they’ve held significant sway on the direction of IT security.

These professionals have done everything from cryptography to founding an influential security conference.

From childhood fascinations and unlikely epiphanies to unexpected opportunities and market surges, top security managers find inspiration in almost anything – and they’re willing to seize opportunity and take responsibility to lead their teams.

The following hitched up their digital wagons to blaze new trails in cybersecurity.