LAKEIDRA SMITH

Lakeidra Smith is a cybersecurity strategist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker whose work sits at the intersection of technology, human behavior, and leadership. She is the founder and CEO of The Cyber Consultant, LLC, a strategic risk advisory and training practice built on a core belief: cybersecurity is a business and leadership problem, not a technical one.

Lakeidra is the author of Cyber Curiosity: A Beginner's Guide to Cybersecurity, which became a bestseller for making complex security concepts accessible to professionals and everyday technology users alike. Her writing has also appeared in the Norton Field Guide to Writing, one of the most widely adopted composition textbooks in higher education. She has been quoted by Forbes and featured as a guest on multiple podcasts, sharing her insights on cyber risk, digital culture, and the human side of security. Her career in cybersecurity education and curriculum development spans Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. She has trained over 5,000 professionals and delivered measurable outcomes for client organizations. She has spoken for global audiences across keynotes, panels, lightning talks, and emcee engagements.

Lakeidra serves on the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Central Alabama Affiliate board of advisors and is committed to expanding pathways for women and underrepresented professionals in cybersecurity. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.