Georgia’s computer and network security sector includes founder-led firms, advisory practices, managed security providers, and specialized consultancies that help organizations strengthen defenses across cloud, network, identity, compliance, and incident response. The leaders in this group are not just protecting one enterprise. They are shaping how many others approach resilience, risk, and cyber maturity. Their work spans hands-on technical defense, executive strategy, training, governance, and client advisory, making them some of the most influential cybersecurity operators in the state’s broader technology ecosystem.
Patrick Kelley — CISO & Founder, Léargas Security
Patrick Kelley is the founder of Léargas Security and brings more than 25 years of experience in information technology with a strong focus on information security and network forensics. As Founder and CISO, he leads the company’s mission to deliver AI-powered extended detection and response services through the Léargas XDR platform. His background includes extensive network forensics training for organizations such as NERC, CISA, CRISP, and E-ISAC, along with media visibility as an ongoing cybersecurity expert for NBC News. Kelley’s combination of technical depth, training experience, and public-facing credibility makes him a standout figure in Georgia’s security services market.
Chris Arrendale — CISO & Founder, CyberData Pros
Chris Arrendale leads CyberData Pros with a focus on privacy, cybersecurity, deliverability, and compliance. He is known for translating complex technical and regulatory issues into language business leaders can act on, a skill that matters in advisory-driven security work. His recent achievements include helping clients achieve ISO 27001 certification on accelerated timelines, preparing organizations for audits and acquisitions, and aligning security programs with NIST 800-171 to support government contracting. His track record reflects the practical, results-oriented side of cybersecurity consulting, where security maturity is tied directly to revenue protection and business growth.
Aaron Russell — CISO, Aethon Security
Aaron Russell brings a nontraditional background that ultimately converged into cybersecurity leadership. Now serving as CISO at Aethon Security, he previously held SOC management roles at Aethon, Sentinel Blue, and DTS, where his work included SIEM configuration, automation rule development, cloud remediation, and client-focused cybersecurity maturity improvement. His background in security operations and consulting gives him a hands-on understanding of how detection, response, and process improvement work in practice. That operational perspective is especially valuable in a services environment built around helping clients mature quickly.
Edward Freeman — CISO, Secury
Edward Freeman serves as CISO at Secury, where he brings experience across service delivery, application security, ITIL, network security, and broader information security operations. His background includes prior roles at Veritiv and Sitel, giving him exposure to both enterprise security execution and consulting-style work. His profile reflects a practitioner grounded in operational security disciplines, with the ability to support organizations that need structured, practical security leadership.
Michael Johnson — CISO, SecurePoint 360
Michael Johnson leads SecurePoint 360 as CISO, focused on delivering overarching security oversight through a vCISO-oriented model. His experience includes previous CISO responsibilities at ThreatAdvice and senior information security engineering work at Digitel. His positioning in the market speaks to a growing segment of the cybersecurity industry: organizations that need strategic security architecture, executive oversight, and advanced protection without building a full internal leadership bench. That makes his role especially relevant in Georgia’s expanding mid-market and services ecosystem.
Roy Wilkinson — CISO & Chief Privacy Officer, Stellar Security
Roy Wilkinson is a veteran security and technology executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning cybersecurity, privacy, audit, compliance, and the convergence of information and physical security. At Stellar Security, he serves as both Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer, helping organizations approach cybersecurity as a holistic business issue rather than a narrow technical function. His background includes executive security roles at organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Cardiff Holdings, and BCD Travel, as well as longstanding leadership involvement with ISSA in Atlanta and internationally. Wilkinson stands out for pairing strategic breadth with deep community influence in the regional security profession.
Ronald Sweatland — Founder & CISO, Orcannus Cyber Security
Ronald Sweatland is a cybersecurity executive and red team leader with more than 25 years of experience building and leading security programs across enterprise, government, and higher education settings. Through Orcannus Cyber Security, he helps organizations reduce risk, improve resilience, and translate technical threats into executive-level decisions. His focus areas include red team operations, adversary simulation, incident response readiness, governance, risk, compliance, zero trust, and cloud identity. His operational background and executive advisory focus make him well suited for organizations that need both technical rigor and strategic clarity.
Where Georgia’s Security Firms Are Building Influence
What makes this group notable is the range of ways they shape cybersecurity beyond a single employer. Some are building platforms, some are advising clients, some are leading managed or virtual security services, and others are developing talent and educating the wider market. Together, they reflect the depth of Georgia’s computer and network security industry: practical, entrepreneurial, technically grounded, and increasingly influential in how organizations approach cyber risk.
Explore more leaders shaping the profession through our CISOs to Watch series.