Chris Beal

Chris Beal is a lecturer in the Industrial Engineering program at NC State University. He has worked as a cybersecurity professional for over 25 years and over that time, he has observed that a healthy cybersecurity posture is something that emerges out of doing foundational things well. He strives to create a positive culture around cybersecurity and to make cybersecurity something that enables organizations to achieve greater success. He is passionate about the importance of the field and loves it because it requires continuous leaning.
Chris graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and holds several industry certifications including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). Chris was named “CISO of the Year” in 2021 by the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTECH).

Expertise

• Cybersecurity Leadership and Risk Management
• Experienced in executive security roles, guiding organizations toward strong security postures.
• Security Architecture and Incident Response
• Skilled in designing secure IT environments and managing cyber threats.
• Governance, Compliance and Certifications
• Expertise in industry standards, holding CISSP, CISA, and CRISC certifications.
• Cybersecurity Education and Culture Building
• Passionate about mentoring, fostering security awareness, and continuous learning.

Education