France has become a key player in Europe’s cybersecurity scene. Companies across defense, technology, and critical infrastructure are investing in stronger security leadership. As threats grow in scale and complexity, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer has never mattered more.
This list highlights ten CISOs in France who stand out for their influence, experience, and impact on the country’s cybersecurity landscape.
Bridget Kenyon, Global CISO, Thales eSecurity
Bridget Kenyon oversees information security for Thales eSecurity, one of Europe’s most important defense and technology firms. Her career spans more than two decades, covering vulnerability analysis, university security management, and international standards development. She has contributed to ISO 27014 and has co-authored several security books. Industry groups often invite her to speak about governance, risk, and organizational resilience.
Olivier Caleff, CISO and Cyber Resilience Director, ERIUM
Olivier Caleff leads security and crisis management for ERIUM, a French cybersecurity consulting firm. He is active in the global incident response community and serves on the FIRST board. His work centers on incident management maturity, crisis readiness, and structured response frameworks. He is also a regular conference speaker in France and abroad.
Maxime Arandel, CISO, Sekoia.io
Maxime Arandel manages information security for Sekoia.io, a leading threat intelligence company based in Paris. Before joining Sekoia.io, he spent eight years at CybelAngel as IT and Security Director. His background in international security and hands-on work in threat detection gives him a strong presence in France’s threat intelligence community.
Stéphane Lenco, Group CISO, Thales Group
Stéphane Lenco leads global security strategy for the Thales Group. He previously served as CISO of Airbus Group, where he launched the Airbus CERT and helped advance OT and IT protection across the company. He has contributed to European policy discussions through his involvement with ENISA and speaks about cyber strategy at global industry events.
Pierre-Emmanuel Leriche, Group CISO, Rexel
Pierre-Emmanuel Leriche oversees security for Rexel, a major industrial distributor. He also serves as co-chair of the governing body for the Evanta CISO Summit in France. His work supports operational security at scale across a global supply chain network.
Sébastien Carriere, Global CISO, Louis Dreyfus Company
Sébastien Carriere manages global security at Louis Dreyfus Company. His experience covers technology leadership and enterprise security in complex environments. He plays an important role in protecting global trading operations that rely on secure systems and data flows.
Laurent Guérin, CISO, Airbus CyberSecurity
Laurent Guérin serves as Group CISO for Airbus, where he oversees global information security across one of Europe’s most critical aerospace and defense organizations. His work focuses on protecting complex systems, strengthening cyber resilience, and guiding long-term security strategy. He brings deep experience in risk management and large-scale security operations, making him a key figure in France’s cybersecurity landscape.
Nicolas Andreu, Group CISO, Coface
Nicolas Andreu oversees global information security for Coface, a major credit insurance group. He focuses on risk management, regulatory alignment, and building resilient systems across international operations.
Laurent Amsel, Group CISO, Carrefour
Laurent Amsel leads the security strategy for Carrefour Group. His work covers retail operations, payments, supply chain systems, and customer data protection. He is known for his work in cyber resilience and for driving security awareness across large teams.
Véronique Bardet, Group CISO, Pierre Fabre
Véronique Bardet leads cybersecurity for Pierre Fabre, one of France’s largest pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic groups. Her work centers on data protection, secure digital transformation, and strong governance.
A Final Look at France’s Cybersecurity Leaders
France’s cybersecurity sector continues to grow, and these leaders help drive that progress. Their work strengthens both local and global security operations. Each one plays a part in shaping how French organizations prepare for threats and protect their most important systems.