Niel Harper is deeply committed to Digital Trust and to ensuring that individuals and organizations consistently benefit from safety, privacy, security, reliability, and data ethics when using online platforms. He has spent the last 20 years advising global organizations in the areas of corporate governance, cybersecurity management, privacy program management, digital transformation, enterprise risk management, and digital policy.
Throughout his career, he has held leadership and advisory roles with leading organizations across the globe, e.g., African Union, AT&T Wireless, Bemol, Canonical, CARICOM Secretariat, CIBC, Deloitte, Doodle, European Commission, Internet Society, and several United Nations agencies, among others.
Holds a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Strathclyde specialising in privacy, cyber crime, and national security; Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Leicester; Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Telecoms Regulation & Policy from the University West Indies; Diploma in Business Information Systems from Algonquin College; and has completed executive programs at Florida International University, Boston University, Nanyang Technological University, Stanford University, and the University of Oxford. Possesses industry certifications in engineering, IT auditing, cybersecurity, privacy, and business continuity management.
Recipient of the ISJ Caribbean Security & Resilience Award (2021) and the ISACA Technology for Humanity Award (2021). Recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader (2014) and the Internet Society as a Next Generation Leader (2011). He was previously a Member of the United Nations Information Security Special Interest Group (UNISSIG) and is currently a Member of the World Economic Forum’s . Has been awarded fellowships by the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN), British Computer Society (BCS), International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL), OECD Technology Foresight Forum, and the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
Frequently sought after speaker and regular contributor to major trade publications and media. Featured in Captive Insurance Times, CircleID, CSO Online, IBM Security Intelligence, Infosecurity Magazine, Tech Monitor, The Economist Group, and the World Economic Forum Davos Agenda, among others.
Niel is happily married and has 4 children (3 girls and a boy).