When Vishal Amin takes the stage, audiences hear from a battlefield-hardened strategist and global security leader whose personal data was hacked—landing him on an ISIS kill list, forcing him out of the military, and fueling a gripping, high-stakes masterclass in resilience, risk, leadership, and real-world cyber defense.
As an Executive Leader within Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and National Security at Microsoft - one of the world’s largest cybersecurity companies, and founder of the Spades Institute, Vishal's journey is anything but ordinary. A former F-18 fighter pilot and U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Officer, his military career took a dramatic turn in 2014 when his personal identifiable information was compromised in a classified data breach. The exposure led to his inclusion on an ISIS kill list, necessitating immediate protective measures and forcing him to leave active service. This life-altering event marked his transition from the front lines of kinetic warfare to the front lines of digital defense.
That crucible moment launched a new mission—one grounded in defending not only national security but corporate resilience. Today, Vishal is one of the most sought-after voices in cybersecurity, advising top federal agencies, Fortune 100 companies, and global institutions on AI-driven security, compliance, and threat mitigation. His leadership has helped reshape Microsoft’s federal and enterprise security strategies, driving innovation and trust at scale. But beyond the boardroom, Vishal delivers something rare: authenticity, gravitas, and real-world urgency. His keynotes are more than talks—they’re strategic briefings, infused with hard-earned wisdom, gripping storytelling, and leadership lessons forged in the crosshairs of global conflict. When Vishal speaks, the room leans in—because he’s lived the threat, led through the storm, and emerged with a blueprint for resilience in a world where cyber is the new battlefield.
- Lessons from the Ready Room: Leading Through Chaos with Clarity, Courage, and Culture
- What does it take to lead when the stakes are sky-high, and failure isn’t an option? Vishal Amin brings the hard-earned lessons of the fighter pilot’s ready room and special operations missions to today’s corporate battlefield—where uncertainty, pressure, and complexity define the new normal. Blending riveting storytelling with actionable frameworks, he shares how elite teams build trust, make bold decisions fast, and create a culture of accountability that endures under fire. This keynote strips leadership down to its essentials—and rebuilds it for the speed and scale of the modern enterprise. It's not just about leading people—it's about preparing them to lead themselves when it matters most.
- The Cybersecurity Trust Imperative: How to Lead, Defend, and Win in the Age of Digital Adversaries
- In a world where cyberattacks are relentless and trust is currency, Vishal Amin delivers a high-voltage masterclass on what it really takes to protect critical infrastructure at scale. Drawing from his rare fusion of combat-tested military strategy and frontline experience with billion-dollar security operations at Microsoft, Amin unpacks the real threats most leaders don’t see coming—and how to outmaneuver them. From digital twins to offensive cyber, he reveals how to think like an adversary, act like a strategist, and lead like everything is on the line—because it is. This isn’t a lecture; it’s a wake-up call for every executive or manager responsible for protecting their people, data, and mission.
- The Future of AI: Balancing Innovation, Responsibility and Human Impact
- AI is changing everything—but without trust, it changes nothing. In this provocative and visionary keynote, Vishal Amin explores how leaders can harness the full power of artificial intelligence without crossing ethical or regulatory red lines. With deep national security experience and a front-row seat to Microsoft’s AI transformation, Vishal shares how to build user-first AI cultures that move fast and responsibly. This is the blueprint for future-ready leadership—where innovation, compliance, and integrity aren’t at odds but in sync. For companies or organizations betting big on AI, this is your strategic playbook.
- Additional Speech Topics and Areas of Expertise
- In addition to above topics, Vishal can also address:
- Lessons from the Ready Room: A Conversation on Building Culture.
- “NIPLOC” - Candid conversations from the cockpit: Vishal brings audience members onstage and into conversations that have never been told.
- The Cybersecurity Trust Imperative: Protecting Our Critical Infrastructure.
- Additional Areas of Expertise include: Defining Leadership; Military & Veteran Engagement; Cloud Technology & Strategy; National Security; Risk Management; Digital Transformation; and Organizational Culture & Trust.