Caitriona Forde

Caitriona Forde is an award-winning IT and cyber safety professional with more than 20 years of international experience helping organisations and individuals navigate the human side of digital risk. From boardrooms to classrooms, she has built a reputation for making cyber safety relatable, practical, and engaging, empowering people to protect themselves and their organisations in an increasingly complex online world. 

As the founder of caIT Cyber Safe, Caitriona has partnered with businesses, councils, notforprofits, and government agencies to build strong security cultures. Her work spans industries including mining, construction, energy, and community services. She is a trusted advisor to leaders who recognise that people, not technology, are both the greatest risk and the greatest defence in cyber safety. 

Her expertise is underpinned by deep technical foundations and extensive leadership experience across IT service delivery, cybersecurity consulting, and awareness training. Caitriona holds a Master of Cyber Security from Edith Cowan University and a Bachelor of Computing and Information Systems from the University of Ulster, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in human factors in cyber safety. Her doctoral research focuses on transforming awareness into sustained behavioural change, an approach she likens to the cultural shift in road safety campaigns. 

Caitriona’s thought leadership is recognised globally. She has delivered keynotes at major conferences, including the Security Culture Conference in Europe, and the closing Keynote for Cyber West Summit in Perth, where she presented on why culture is critical to business success. She is also co-host of the West Coast Cyber podcast, a platform that brings fresh perspectives on cybercrime, human behaviour, and emerging risks such as AI-driven scams and deepfakes. 

Passionate about making cyber safety a life skill, Caitriona designs her presentations to resonate with every audience, whether executives, small business owners, or school students. Her keynotes explore themes such as: The human element of cyber risk, Building cultures of awareness and accountability, Preventing scams and fraud in everyday life, and The impact of artificial intelligence on safety and trust. 

Known for her clear communication, engaging stories, and practical advice, Caitriona is regularly featured in media commentary and industry discussions. Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure that cyber safety becomes a life skill that prevents your worst day, both at work and at home.