Ken May
AI-Driven CISO | Offensive Security Leader | Author | SANS Instructor
I’m a cybersecurity executive and AI strategist with 15+ years of experience leading enterprise security programs, offensive security teams, AI governance initiatives, and large-scale incident response.
I’ve trained cybersecurity personnel at the DoD, FBI, DHS, and major Fortune 500 organizations, and built a full-spectrum MSSP serving hundreds of clients across aerospace, healthcare, legal, and manufacturing.
I help organizations navigate the future of cybersecurity with clarity, resilience, and AI-augmented defense.
Who I Am
I’m Ken May: an AI-driven cybersecurity executive, author, and educator with deep expertise in offensive security, cyber strategy, and organizational risk. I built and led the cybersecurity division at Swift Chip, scaling operations, staff, and revenue while delivering vCISO services to organizations across dozens of industries.
I’ve spent my career helping companies understand not just how attacks happen, but why, and how AI is reshaping the landscape of threat detection, governance, and cyber operations.
Professional Highlights
15+ years cybersecurity leadership
-Co-Founder & Chief Technologist of Swift Chip
-SANS Community Instructor
-Instructor of AI & Cybersecurity at Oxnard College
-Author of The Art of Hacking (Amazon best-seller)
-Author of Avoiding the AIpocalypse
-Trained and consulted for DoD, FBI, DHS, NASA contractors, and Fortune 500 teams
-Specialist in AI-augmented defense and Zero-Trust strategy
-Former City of Ventura Cultural Affairs Commissioner
-Member of SANS Advisory Board, InfraGard, and HSIN
Philosophy
My approach to cybersecurity is simple:
Security should empower the business — not slow it down.
I focus on risk-driven, business-aligned strategy supported by AI-enhanced detection, automation, and strong governance.