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Victoria Baines
Cybersecurity
Risk Management
Business Ethics
Navigate the realities of technology, power, and trust with Victoria Baines, a leading voice on cybersecurity, digital ethics, and the geopolitics of emerging tech. Drawing on senior roles at Facebook and Europol, Victoria helps organisations make sense of risk, regulation, and innovation, alongside regular BBC appearances and her public lectures at Gresham College.
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Professor Victoria Baines is a recognised authority on online trust, safety, and cybersecurity, known for bridging law enforcement, technology policy, and public debate. Her work sits at the intersection of digital risk, ethics, and geopolitics, shaping how organisations and citizens respond to technological change.
Victoria has held senior roles across global platforms and international policing, including Trust and Safety Manager for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Facebook, Strategy Lead at Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre, and Principal Analyst at the UK Serious Organised Crime Agency. She is Professor of Information Technology at Gresham College, London’s oldest higher education institution, where her public lectures make complex technologies accessible to broad audiences. As a visiting lecturer at Stanford University, she co-developed the world's first accredited Trust and Safety Engineering course. Her work at Europol produced the iOCTA, Europe's flagship cybercrime threat assessment, and scenario planning projects that later formed the basis of Trend Micro's Project 2030, a sci-fi video series exploring how AI, connectivity, and evolving cybercrime will reshape daily life by the next decade.
Victoria's book Rhetoric of Insecurity draws on two thousand years of political and cultural history to explain why security debates are so emotionally charged and difficult to resolve. She also co-hosted the award-nominated Cyber Warrior Princess podcast and and is a frequent guest across broadcast and podcast media, including BBC Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage, Sliced Bread and Scam Secrets, Sky News, and Global's The Crime Agents.
Victoria transforms abstract digital threats into concrete risk management strategies, showing leaders how to protect their organisations whilst maintaining public trust. She is an experienced event host, moderator, and MC, bringing structure and insight to discussions on technology, ethics, and geopolitics. Her interactive, talk show-style sessions bring current tech controversies to life through examples from the past, present, and future.
Audiences learn practical frameworks for evaluating emerging technologies, recognise manipulation tactics in security messaging, and gain tools for building more inclusive, safer digital environments.
Book Victoria to bring clarity, insight, and informed debate to the most urgent questions shaping our digital future.
Topics, sessions and talks
Victoria Baines explores the often exaggerated portrayals of cyber threats, such as faceless hackers and rogue technology. She examines their real impact on personal safety and organisational security. Baines advocates for empowering individuals to safeguard themselves and addresses the human aspects of cybersecurity. Attendees will learn how to rethink security narratives and adopt innovative approaches to enhance personal and organisational protection against cyber threats.
Victoria Baines will discuss the implications of end-to-end encryption in her talk on cyber crime and cyber threats. As messaging apps increasingly adopt this protocol, messages remain unreadable in transit, posing challenges for governments seeking access for criminal investigations. Baines will explore the ongoing debate surrounding online surveillance and privacy, highlighting how some governments exploit workarounds to access encrypted communications. Attendees will gain insights into the future of digital privacy and the balance between security and individual rights.
Victoria Baines invites attendees to embark on a journey through the future of technology, exploring how innovations like Artificial Intelligence, extended reality, and quantum computing will shape our lives over the next fifty years. By drawing on science fiction techniques, she will discuss the convergence of these technologies, the opportunities and challenges they present, and the importance of embracing disruption. Participants will gain insights into the future of jobs, healthcare, and governance in an increasingly digital world.
Victoria Baines examines how the global Internet challenges state sovereignty over citizens' access to information and expression. She discusses the ways governments restrict internet access for political and security reasons, despite much of the infrastructure being beyond their control. Attendees will gain insights into the dynamics of online regulation and the future of digital interactions in an increasingly interconnected world.
Victoria Baines will discuss how the public health framework used during the COVID pandemic can be applied to enhance online safety and security. She will draw parallels between the measures taken to combat physical viruses—such as handwashing and social distancing—and the need for similar strategies to protect against digital threats. Attendees will learn innovative approaches to safeguarding themselves and others in the online realm, fostering a culture of digital hygiene.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Victoria Baines structures sessions by anchoring current cyber and technology debates in historical precedent, drawing on methods from her book Rhetoric of Insecurity, which applies two thousand years of political and cultural history to explain how security narratives are constructed and manipulated.
Victoria Baines speaks on cybersecurity and human behaviour, digital privacy and encryption, and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, extended reality, and quantum computing. She is Professor of Information Technology at Gresham College and a former Strategy Lead at Europol's European Cybercrime Centre, where her work produced the iOCTA, Europe's flagship cybercrime threat assessment.
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A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
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When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
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Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
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