Following our Singapore edition, the focus now shifts to a broader regional perspective. This edition expands the spotlight across Southeast Asia, bringing together a more diverse mix of voices shaping cybersecurity across the region.
Across Southeast Asia, cybersecurity is no longer confined to technical teams — it is becoming a core pillar of national strategy, financial systems, and digital infrastructure.
As ASEAN economies accelerate digital transformation, the region faces increasingly complex cyber threats, from financial fraud and ransomware to critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. In response, a diverse group of leaders is emerging — spanning government, enterprise, research, and global organizations — each contributing to how cybersecurity is being built and scaled across borders.
Unlike purely creator-driven lists, this edition focuses on individuals shaping cybersecurity through infrastructure, policy, and systems — from national frameworks and financial security operations to regional governance and emerging technologies. The Top Cybersecurity Voices in ASEAN (2026), therefore, reflects not just visibility but real-world impact across Southeast Asia’s evolving digital landscape.
Highlights
Dr. Meisam Eslahi
Executive Director, EC-Council Global Services
Dr. Meisam is a cybersecurity executive with over two decades of experience advancing enterprise resilience and public awareness against evolving cyber threats. He builds and scales cybersecurity services, multidisciplinary teams, and operating models leveraging automation, AI, and intelligence-led approaches across both proactive and reactive domains, including Red Teaming, Threat Hunting, Digital Forensics, and Incident Response.
From boardrooms to basements, he operates across both ends of cybersecurity, advising executives on translating cyber risk into strategic decisions while staying deeply connected to the field.
Through applied research, contributions to national and international standards such as MITRE D3FEND Framework, and speaking at DEF CON, BSides, NASSCOM, and beyond, his focus remains consistent: building real-world skills, mentoring the next generation, and strengthening the cybersecurity community.
Izzmier Izzuddin Zulkepli
Head of Security Operations Center, Bank Simpanan Nasional
At the operational core of Malaysia’s financial cybersecurity, Izzmier Izzuddin Zulkepli leads the Security Operations Center at Bank Simpanan Nasional, a key national banking institution. His role involves overseeing real-time threat detection, incident response, and continuous monitoring of financial systems in an increasingly complex threat environment.
Working within frameworks aligned with Bank Negara Malaysia, as well as international standards such as ISO and NIST, his responsibilities extend beyond internal security into regulatory compliance and systemic resilience. By managing cybersecurity at the infrastructure level of a national bank, Izzmier represents how cyber defense is executed in high-stakes, real-world environments where stability and trust are critical.
Dr Peter Phuc Huynh
Chairman, APAC, SpecterAI Quantum Security | Co-founder & Vice President, CIO Vietnam
Dr Peter Phuc Huynh brings a forward-looking dimension to ASEAN’s cybersecurity landscape, particularly through his work in quantum security. As Chairman APAC at SpecterAI Quantum Security, he is involved in developing next-generation security solutions designed to address risks posed by future computational advancements.
At the same time, his leadership role within CIO Vietnam connects him to a broad network of enterprise technology leaders, allowing him to influence cybersecurity conversations at a regional level. By bridging emerging technologies with leadership ecosystems, his work reflects how cybersecurity is evolving beyond current threats toward long-term, future-proof strategies.
Faisal Yahya
Country Manager, Indonesia, Vantage Point Security
With more than 25 years of experience across IT and cybersecurity — including leadership roles as CIO and CISO — Faisal Yahya brings a strategic and operational perspective to cybersecurity transformation. His experience spans multiple industries, where he has worked on aligning technology infrastructure with business objectives while managing risk.
In his current role at Vantage Point Security, he supports organizations across Indonesia in strengthening their cybersecurity posture amid rapid digital adoption. His ability to connect cybersecurity with broader enterprise transformation highlights a key shift in the region: security is no longer a support function, but a core component of business resilience and growth.
Dr Carrine Teoh Chooi Shi, CISSP, CBCP
President (Cybersecurity & Governance), ASEAN Chief Information Officer Association
Dr Carrine Teoh’s work focuses on technology risk management, governance, leadership, and regional collaborations in the digital economy and cybersecurity. As President (Cybersecurity & Governance) at the ASEAN CIO Association, she contributes to shaping governance and cybersecurity strategies and dialogues across member states.
She has been recognized among the Top Women in Cybersecurity ASEAN, reflecting both her leadership and advocacy within the field. By positioning cybersecurity within governance and executive leadership discussions, her work reinforces the idea that cybersecurity is not just technical — it is a strategic priority at the organizational and regional level.
Dr Philip Cao
Founder & Chief Trust Officer, ZTX
Dr Philip Cao’s work centers on trust, governance, and the professional standards that underpin cybersecurity. As Founder of ZTX, he focuses on building secure and trustworthy digital ecosystems, particularly as organizations adopt emerging technologies.
He is actively involved with globally recognized bodies such as (ISC)², ISACA, and the Cloud Security Alliance — organizations that define certification, best practices, and professional benchmarks in cybersecurity worldwide. Through these roles, his influence extends into shaping how cybersecurity professionals are trained, certified, and aligned with global standards, making him a key contributor to the region’s long-term capability building.
Irene Corpuz
Founding Partner & Head of Governance and Communications, Women in Cybersecurity Middle East
Irene Corpuz brings a global, cross-regional perspective to cybersecurity, connecting ASEAN with broader international initiatives. Through her leadership role in Women in Cybersecurity Middle East, GRC expertise, and cybersecurity policy advisory, she contributes to policy development, capacity building, and talent advancement across multiple regions.
Recognized among top cybersecurity leaders globally, her work emphasizes the importance of inclusion, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing in addressing cyber risks. She also advocates for stronger leadership and board-level accountability in governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), underscoring the critical role of executive oversight in driving resilient and secure organizations and nations.
By operating across borders, Irene exemplifies how ASEAN’s cybersecurity ecosystem is increasingly linked to global conversations and cooperative frameworks.
Col Francel Margareth Padilla
Spokesperson, Armed Forces of the Philippines
Col Francel Margareth Padilla represents the intersection of cybersecurity, national defense, and public communication. As spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines — and the first woman to hold this role in nearly 90 years — she plays a key part in shaping how defense-related cybersecurity issues are communicated to the public.
Beyond her official role, she is also an advocate of the Cyber for Peace Initiative, promoting the responsible use of cyberspace and raising awareness on cybersecurity as a shared societal responsibility. Her leadership highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity within national security strategies, particularly in a region where digital threats increasingly intersect with geopolitical considerations.
By combining defense leadership with advocacy, her work reflects how cybersecurity is becoming a matter of both operational readiness and public trust.
Dr Pratama Persadha
Chairman, CISSReC (Communication & Information System Security Research Center)
Dr Pratama Persadha plays a significant role in Indonesia’s cybersecurity ecosystem through research, policy advocacy, and public education. As Chairman of CISSReC, a non-profit research institution, he focuses on issues such as information sovereignty, cyber threats, and national digital awareness.
His work frequently contributes to public discourse and regulatory conversations, helping shape how cybersecurity is understood at both government and societal levels. In a region where awareness and policy development are still evolving, his role underscores the importance of research-driven perspectives in guiding national cybersecurity strategies.
Phannarith Ou, G-CISO
Director of ICT Security, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (Cambodia)
Phannarith Ou is directly involved in building Cambodia’s national cybersecurity infrastructure. As Director of ICT Security at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and former head of CamCERT, he leads initiatives ranging from cybersecurity policy development to the implementation of national systems such as the Government’s Cybersecurity Operation Center (G-SOC) and early warning mechanisms.
He also serves as a key point of contact for ASEAN cybersecurity cooperation and has been recognized as a Top 30 ASEAN CISO and Top 100 Global CISO. His role spans both national and regional levels, reflecting how governments are strengthening foundational cybersecurity systems to support long-term digital growth.
Why These Cybersecurity Voices Matter Across ASEAN
The Top Cybersecurity Voices in ASEAN (2026) reflect a region where cybersecurity is evolving beyond isolated functions into a coordinated, multi-layered ecosystem. From national policy and defense to enterprise security and global collaboration, each individual contributes to strengthening digital resilience across Southeast Asia.
As ASEAN continues to grow as a digital and economic hub, cybersecurity will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring trust, stability, and innovation. In this context, these voices are not only shaping conversations — they are actively influencing how cybersecurity is implemented, governed, and scaled across the region.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here.
