Scandinavia is home to some of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking cybersecurity leaders. From global law enforcement to finance, SaaS, and industrial enterprises, CISOs in the region are shaping the future of information security.
This article highlights 10 CISOs to watch in Scandinavia, showcasing their achievements, leadership, and the impact they are making in protecting organizations and driving security-forward cultures.
Bjørn R. Watne — INTERPOL
Bjørn Watne was appointed Global Chief Information Security Officer at INTERPOL in July 2025, leading cybersecurity efforts for the world’s largest police organization, which supports law enforcement across 196 member countries. Previously, he served as CISO for Storebrand, one of Norway’s largest asset managers, and was recognized in Corinium Global Intelligence’s inaugural Top 100 Leaders in Information Security in 2021. He was also a 2022 finalist for the Outstanding Chief Information Security Officer award at The OSPAs, associated with Telenor. Watne combines deep technical expertise with strategic leadership, shaping security policies that balance operational resilience and global collaboration.
Anders Björklund — Martin & Servera (Sweden)
Anders Björklund currently serves as CISO at Martin & Servera since February 2025, after leading Anticimex Group’s cybersecurity efforts from 2023 to 2025. At Anticimex, he shaped company-wide security policies and risk management strategies, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting client data. Björklund holds a CISSP certification (2025) and is known for implementing frameworks that balance business objectives with security resilience.
Martin Karlsson — Tredje AP-fonden (Sweden)
Martin Karlsson is currently CISO at Tredje AP-fonden (AP3) since March 2025. He previously held senior security roles at Quinyx and Svensk e-identitet AB, building expertise in protecting critical systems for both public- and private-sector organizations. Karlsson is recognized for a pragmatic, business-focused approach to cybersecurity, emphasizing risk management while aligning security initiatives with organizational goals. His leadership ensures that security supports operational efficiency without compromising protection standards.
Marianne Hove Solberg — SpareBank 1 SMN (Norway)
Marianne Hove Solberg is a seasoned CISO in the financial services sector, noted for her holistic approach to cybersecurity. She focuses on aligning organizational goals with robust security measures and cultivating a strong security culture. Solberg regularly shares insights on GDPR compliance and the strategic role of information security functions, positioning her as a thought leader in Norway’s banking industry.
Magnus Carling — Stena AB (Sweden)
Magnus Carling brings decades of IT and cybersecurity experience to his role at Stena AB. With a background in network engineering, server management, and IT-management frameworks, he combines technical acumen with leadership. Carling emphasizes security that enables business potential, integrating IT into company operations while maintaining strong protection measures.
Evgenia Christensen — Saxo Bank (Denmark)
Evgenia Christensen is a senior leader in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection with extensive experience in financial services and investment banking. At Saxo Bank, she currently serves as Deputy CISO and Head of Risk Management, Privacy & Data Protection, after previously holding roles as Global Head of IT and Cyber Security Risk Management, Senior IT and Cyber Risk Specialist, and Identity & Access Management Analyst. Christensen has a proven track record of transforming organizational culture and risk and cybersecurity mindsets in complex, dynamic environments, fostering collaboration and innovation among stakeholders.
Linda Avad — Alecta (Sweden)
Linda Avad was appointed CISO at Alecta in June 2025, after serving as CISO for OKQ8. She has over two decades of experience in cybersecurity, including prior service at Försvarsmakten (Swedish Armed Forces). Her expertise spans agile methodologies, software project management, and enterprise cyber defense. At OKQ8, she successfully aligned corporate asset protection with innovation in cybersecurity, earning recognition for her results-driven, strategic approach.
Dennie Karlsson — Dustin (Sweden / Nordics)
As Group CISO at Dustin, Dennie Karlsson oversees the company’s enterprise-wide cybersecurity vision, strategy, and governance. With more than eight years of experience, he emphasizes balancing protection levels with business objectives while enabling organizational transformation. Karlsson leads a team of 12 security professionals and is recognized for fostering trust-based leadership and collaboration, ensuring security programs support operational efficiency without increasing risk appetite.
Johan Templeman — Telavox (Sweden)
Johan Templeman currently serves as CISO at Telavox, having previously established the CISO function at Teamtailor. He implemented an ISMS, achieved SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 certifications, and launched a bug bounty program. Templeman also oversaw IT operations for 500+ employees, introducing MDM, SSO, and strong authentication solutions, demonstrating his ability to integrate security deeply into business operations.
Johan Åtting — Sectra AB (Sweden)
Johan Åtting has led information security at Sectra AB since 2016, overseeing security policies, ISO 27001/17/18 certifications, GDPR compliance, and crisis management. He has headed major initiatives, including the GDPR task force, ransomware response, and supplier/vendor representation at the Swedish Contingency Agency security forum. Åtting’s comprehensive approach spans physical and digital security across 10 countries, exemplifying integrated, enterprise-level cybersecurity leadership.
Why These CISOs Stand Out
From global law enforcement to Nordic finance, retail, SaaS, and industrial sectors, these CISOs exemplify leadership that blends technical expertise with business strategy. They actively shape the cybersecurity landscape through certifications, major projects, awards, and thought leadership. Observing their work offers insight into emerging trends, operational resilience, and effective risk management practices in Scandinavia.