Thought Leadership Program
Shaping the Future of Food Industry Cybersecurity
Expert perspectives, cutting-edge research, and actionable insights from the industry's most trusted voices in food cybersecurity.
About the program
Advancing cyber resilience across food & agriculture
Share your expertise
Publish research and case studies globally.
Gain recognition
Build authority in food cyber risk.
Drive industry change
Shape policy and standards.
Speak at events
Present at CSAFI conferences and webinars.
Publish research
Reach a global expert audience.
Advisory board
Help set the cybersecurity agenda.
Leader Insights
View all insights
Meet Our Thought Leaders
Industry experts driving innovation and best practices in food cybersecurity
CSAFI Vice President - Cyber Enablement
Deon has over 20 years’ experience spanning industrial technology, enterprise software, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity, working with food, manufacturing and critical infrastructure organizations across North America, EMEA, APAC and Sub-Saharan Africa. His career bridges IT and OT, with senior leadership roles at Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Invensys (now AVEVA) and Marel. He completed a Master’s-level program in Digital Transformation Leadership at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, with executive education through MIT Sloan, Harvard Law School, the University of Michigan and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.Deon has over 20 years’ experience spanning industrial technology, enterprise software, Manufacturing Execution Systems, Industry 4.0 and cybersecurity, working with food, manufacturing and critical infrastructure organizations across North America, EMEA, APAC and Sub-Saharan Africa. His career bridges IT and OT, with senior leadership roles at Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Invensys (now AVEVA) and Marel. He completed a Master’s-level program in Digital Transformation Leadership at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, with executive education through MIT Sloan, Harvard Law School, the University of Michigan and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
CSAFI Director - Cyber Enablement, Australia
Michael is CSAFI’s Director of Cyber Enablement, Australia, bringing strong leadership and operational experience from Australia’s business and hospitality sectors. With a background in management consulting and business development, he drives programs that help organizations enhance cyber awareness, readiness, and capability. Michael’s focus is on enabling teams, building resilience, and aligning technology, people, and process to strengthen Australia’s food industry cybersecurity posture.Michael is CSAFI’s Director of Cyber Enablement, Australia, bringing strong leadership and operational experience from Australia’s business and hospitality sectors. With a background in management consulting and business development, he drives programs that help organizations enhance cyber awareness, readiness, and capability. Michael’s focus is on enabling teams, building resilience, and aligning technology, people, and process to strengthen Australia’s food industry cybersecurity posture.
CSAFI President
Nick Saharan is the visionary Founder and President of the Cybersecurity Association of Food Industry (CSAFI). His journey began in 2016, visiting food plants across continents and witnessing firsthand how cyberattacks disrupted operations and global food supply chains. This experience ignited his mission to protect food security through stronger cybersecurity. Today, Nick leads global collaborations with policymakers, researchers, and technology providers, driving CSAFI’s mission to build a resilient, cyber-secure food ecosystem that safeguards businesses and communities worldwide.Nick Saharan is the visionary Founder and President of the Cybersecurity Association of Food Industry (CSAFI). His journey began in 2016, visiting food plants across continents and witnessing firsthand how cyberattacks disrupted operations and global food supply chains. This experience ignited his mission to protect food security through stronger cybersecurity. Today, Nick leads global collaborations with policymakers, researchers, and technology providers, driving CSAFI’s mission to build a resilient, cyber-secure food ecosystem that safeguards businesses and communities worldwide.
CSAFI Board Advisor - Cybersecurity
Pankaj is a seasoned Application Security expert with over 15 years of experience strengthening digital resilience across industries. As CSAFI’s Cybersecurity Board Advisor, he guides secure software adoption, architecture reviews, and risk strategies that protect the global food ecosystem. With a background spanning Workday, Microsoft, and major financial institutions, Pankaj brings deep technical insight and leadership to help CSAFI advance cybersecurity maturity across the food sector.Pankaj is a seasoned Application Security expert with over 15 years of experience strengthening digital resilience across industries. As CSAFI’s Cybersecurity Board Advisor, he guides secure software adoption, architecture reviews, and risk strategies that protect the global food ecosystem. With a background spanning Workday, Microsoft, and major financial institutions, Pankaj brings deep technical insight and leadership to help CSAFI advance cybersecurity maturity across the food sector.
CSAFI - Chief Technology Advisor
Prashant is CSAFI’s Chief Technology Advisor, bringing over two decades of experience in cloud architecture, software development, and digital transformation. As Director of Google Cloud Infrastructure at Kyndryl and former Google Cloud leader, he has guided global enterprises in leveraging AI, cloud, and infrastructure innovation. At CSAFI, Prashant drives the technology strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance digital resilience, and enable secure cloud adoption across the global food and agriculture ecosystem.Prashant is CSAFI’s Chief Technology Advisor, bringing over two decades of experience in cloud architecture, software development, and digital transformation. As Director of Google Cloud Infrastructure at Kyndryl and former Google Cloud leader, he has guided global enterprises in leveraging AI, cloud, and infrastructure innovation. At CSAFI, Prashant drives the technology strategy to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance digital resilience, and enable secure cloud adoption across the global food and agriculture ecosystem.
CSAFI Director - Cyber Enablement
Russell Macapaz Tal is Advisory Director – Protein Industry, Cyber Resilience & Strategy. A strategic leader and partnership builder, Russell brings extensive experience in customer success, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Passionate about collaboration and impact, she helps shape resilient strategies that bridge technology, business, and people. Russell’s leadership focuses on strengthening trust, driving innovation, and empowering the global protein industry to thrive securely in a connected world.Russell Macapaz Tal is Advisory Director – Protein Industry, Cyber Resilience & Strategy. A strategic leader and partnership builder, Russell brings extensive experience in customer success, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Passionate about collaboration and impact, she helps shape resilient strategies that bridge technology, business, and people. Russell’s leadership focuses on strengthening trust, driving innovation, and empowering the global protein industry to thrive securely in a connected world.About the Thought Leadership Program
CSAFI's Thought Leadership Program empowers cybersecurity experts to share knowledge, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across the food industry.
Share your expertise
Publish research, insights, and case studies to a global audience of food industry professionals.
Gain recognition
Build your personal brand as a trusted authority in food cybersecurity and risk management.
Drive industry change
Shape cybersecurity policy and standards that protect the global food supply chain.
Speak at events
Present at CSAFI conferences and webinars.
Publish research
Showcase your expertise to a global audience.
Advisory board
Help shape the industry's cybersecurity agenda.