The Security Imperative: Shane O’Donnell on Cybersecurity
Shane O'Donnell, vice president of cybersecurity, is a sought-after thought leader in the security and compliance space.
Shane O’Donnell, Centric Consulting’s Vice President of Cybersecurity, is a sought-after expert, author, speaker, and thought leader in the cybersecurity space.
Shane O’Donnell is a cybersecurity strategist passionate about helping organizations transform security challenges into competitive advantages through proven risk management and compliance expertise. He leads Cybersecurity Consulting Services at Centric Consulting and brings over two decades of specialized experience in audit and cyber risk management across the healthcare, manufacturing and financial sectors.
Recently, O’Donnell has focused on helping Fortune 500 companies develop comprehensive cyber-risk programs, streamline SOX compliance frameworks, and implement HITRUST and ISO 27001 controls. His integrated approach combines deep audit expertise with cutting-edge cybersecurity strategy, enabling organizations to proactively identify vulnerabilities and build resilient security postures while maintaining regulatory compliance.
O’Donnell is a member of the Forbes Technology Council who regularly contributes thought leadership on cybersecurity topics. He holds multiple certifications, including CPA, CISA, CCSFP, and CITP. He speaks at industry events nationwide, sharing practical insights on enterprise risk assessment, regulatory compliance optimization, and navigating the evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Read his latest insights below.
Read O’Donnell’s Latest Articles
The Hidden Cyber Threat Of Shadow AI — And How To Manage It
Like its well-known cousin, shadow IT, shadow AI is the use of unapproved tools — in this case, AI tools — by employees within an organization. But shadow AI can be much riskier, and every C-suite leader should be concerned about how it operates in their organization. Because security teams don’t have visibility into unauthorized AI tools, tracing the source and scope of data exposure is nearly impossible. Read the full article.
In the Media
O’Donnell frequently shares his insights with technology- and security-focused publications to share his cybersecurity expertise on the importance of security; governance, risk and compliance; and risk assessment, auditing, and assurance. He also is a Forbes Technology Council expert panelist. Read his latest contributions and quotes below.
How To Turn Employees Into Proactive Cybersecurity Partners
In this Forbes article, O’Donnell shares insights on how training can help employees safeguard an organization.
“Security is about enabling job performance while preventing harm. The most practical strategy is to shift from occasional “checkbox” training to continuous engagement: Put team members at the center of cyber defense with live simulations, regular threat briefings, and reward systems. This turns employees into active partners who see cybersecurity as their mission. That’s when you get real results.”
