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Technology & AI keynote speakers

Nicole Perlroth

Cybersecurity Journalist & Author of This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

Speaking feeTypically $30k–$50kIndicative only, confirmed on request
  • Keynote · Fireside chat · Moderation
  • English
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Headliner can arrange a booking with Nicole Perlroth or their representative. This profile is compiled from public sources; availability and fees are confirmed on request. A listing here does not imply endorsement, affiliation, partnership, or exclusivity.

Signature keynotes

What your audience walks away with

  • Outcome

    The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice (current — her 2025 Black Hat keynote)

    The threats we once chased have gone quiet, modular, and autonomous: malware giving way to "living off the land," ransomware operating as a subscription service, and AI distorting reality itself. Where the cyber conflict stands now — and what it means for defenders.

  • This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends — The Cyberweapons Arms Race

    Based on her award-winning bestseller. Inside the secretive, government-backed market for zero-day exploits and cyberweapons: how nations stockpile digital arms, why the U.S. became the world's dominant hoarder of zero-days, and how a convenience-obsessed society built "the world's largest attack surface."

  • The Cyber Threat Landscape for Boards & Executives

    Cyber risk translated out of the server room and into the boardroom: nation-state and criminal threats framed as exposure, resilience, and decision-making — with the questions every leadership team should be asking.

  • AI, Disinformation & the Next Decade of Cyber

    How artificial intelligence is reshaping both attack and defense — from autonomous threats and AI-accelerated intrusions to synthetic reality and disinformation — and how organizations should prepare.

  • From the Front Lines: A Journalist's Path Through the Cyber Wars (and women in cyber)

    Her own journey from New York Times correspondent to venture investor on the front lines of cybersecurity — a candid, human look at the people behind the headlines and the case for building the next generation of security leaders.

The story

Who Nicole actually is

Nicole Perlroth is one of the world's most authoritative voices on cybersecurity — a journalist who spent more than a decade reporting from inside the most secretive corners of the digital-arms trade, and who now invests in the defenses meant to counter it.

She earned a B.A. in Politics and Near Eastern Studies from Princeton and an M.A. in Journalism from Stanford, and began her career covering technology and venture capital at Forbes. In 2010, The New York Times recruited her as a cybersecurity reporter — reportedly because she could explain deeply technical threats in language anyone could follow. Over the next 13 years she led the Times's cybersecurity coverage, breaking and chronicling major stories on nation-state hacking, digital espionage, and the global cyberweapons market.

In 2021 she published _This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race_ (Bloomsbury) — a bestselling account of the shadowy market for zero-day exploits that won the Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, the Arthur J. Ross Award for Foreign Policy, and was inducted into the Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame.

Today Nicole is a venture partner at Ballistic Ventures and founder of Silver Buckshot Ventures, her cyber-mission fund backing the next generation of security innovators. She has served on the advisory committee of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Council on Foreign Relations' Cyber Task Force, lectures at Stanford Graduate School of Business, and hosts the podcast "To Catch a Thief," examining China's cyber capabilities. In 2025 she delivered a keynote at Black Hat USA, "The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice." She is based in San Francisco.

The receipts

Books & publications

  • This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends: The Cyberweapons Arms Race

    2021

    the bestselling, award-winning account of the secretive global market for zero-day exploits and cyberweapons: how nations stockpile digital arms, and how the modern world became the largest attack surface in history.

Gravity

Career highlights & recognition

  • Milestone

    13 years leading cybersecurity coverage at *The New York Times

    * — nation-state hacking, cyberweapons, digital espionage

  • Award2021

    Author, *This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends

    * (Bloomsbury, 2021) — Financial Times & McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award; Arthur J. Ross Award for Foreign Policy; Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame

  • Milestone

    Venture partner, Ballistic Ventures

    founder, Silver Buckshot Ventures (cyber mission fund)

  • Milestone

    Former CISA advisory-committee member

    Council on Foreign Relations Cyber Task Force

  • Credential

    Lecturer, Stanford Graduate School of Business

  • Credential

    Host, "To Catch a Thief"

    podcast on China's cyber dominance

  • Milestone2025

    Black Hat USA 2025 keynote speaker

    "The New Frontline: Cyber on the Precipice"

  • Credential

    Princeton (BA)

    and Stanford (MA, Journalism)

Booking with confidence

What to expect when you book Nicole

  • 01

    Compiled from public sources

    This profile is built from public, verifiable material and stamped with the date it was last reviewed. Nothing here is a claim we cannot trace to a source.

  • 02

    Availability and fees, confirmed

    Tell us your date and brief, and we confirm Nicole's availability and current fee on request. We never publish a fabricated figure or imply an exclusivity we do not hold.

  • 03

    Managed end to end

    From first inquiry to the day itself, Headliner handles briefing, contracting, and logistics, so your team can focus on the event.

Answers

Booking questions, answered

What is Nicole Perlroth's speaking fee?

Typically $30k–$50k (indicative; confirmed on request). Nicole's fee varies by event, date, format, and location, so we confirm the exact figure for your booking. Share your brief for current pricing and live availability.

Is Nicole Perlroth available for my event date?

Availability changes with Nicole's schedule and the season. Tell us your date and we'll confirm whether Nicole is open, and hold the slot while you decide.

How do I book Nicole Perlroth for my event?

Nicole Perlroth is booked through Headliner. Tell us your event date, audience, and goals, and we'll confirm availability and the next steps — typically within four business hours.

How much does Nicole Perlroth charge to speak?

Typically $30k–$50k (indicative; confirmed on request). It depends on event, date, format, location, and whether the session is in person or virtual. Share your brief and we'll confirm the exact figure and availability.

Can I hire Nicole Perlroth for a corporate event?

Yes. Nicole is represented for speaking engagements through Headliner on a non-exclusive basis and regularly takes corporate keynotes, conferences, and leadership events. Share your brief to check availability.

Can I book Nicole Perlroth for a virtual keynote?

Yes. Nicole presents virtual keynotes as well as in-person sessions. Virtual fees are typically quoted below a live keynote, so tell us your format for a precise quote.

What formats does Nicole offer?

Nicole is available for Keynote, Fireside chat, Moderation and Virtual engagements. We'll match the format to your audience and run-of-show.

What does Nicole speak about?

Nicole's keynote themes include Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Each talk is tailored to your audience and outcomes.

What languages does Nicole present in?

Nicole presents in English.

Where does Nicole travel from?

Nicole is based in San Francisco, CA and travels internationally for engagements; virtual sessions are also available.

Profile updated . Compiled from public sources — confirm current fees and availability with Headliner.

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