FC
FC, aka Freakyclown, combines a hacker’s mindset with CISO experience to show organizations how to understand and defend against cyber threats.
Why you should book FC for your next event
- FC is the author of the bestselling book "How I rob banks", and advises organisations on how to create a secure, safe environment.
- As an ethical hacker for the last three decades, FC has helped thousands of banks, governments and other organisations advance their security.
- He has shared his expertise in mainstream media, including the BBC and ITV, as well as popular industry podcasts such as Darknet Diaries (episode 66).
Non-binding request for FC
Cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker and former CISO bringing an attacker’s perspective to business security.
FC, also known as Freakyclown, is a cybersecurity expert, ethical hacker and motivational keynote speaker with decades of experience legally breaking into organizations both physically and digitally. His career has taken him around the world in the fight against cybercrime, including work as Head of Offensive Research at Raytheon and, in 2024, as fractional interim CISO for the USA arm of a large global retailer. This combination of attacker and executive perspectives enables FC to explain cybersecurity in a way that connects technical threats with real business priorities. His energetic keynotes give audiences practical insights into cybercrime, intelligence and the actions organizations can take to strengthen their defenses.
Cybersecurity from a hacker’s perspective
FC, widely known by his hacker handle Freakyclown, is a cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker who gives audiences a rare look inside the mindset of an attacker. With decades of experience legally breaking into organizations both physically and digitally, he has built a career around understanding how systems, people and processes can be exploited – and how organizations can better defend themselves.
His work has taken him around the world in the fight against cybercrime. Rather than discussing cybersecurity purely from a theoretical or technical perspective, FC draws on extensive real-world experience of testing security, identifying vulnerabilities and seeing how attackers operate.
When you book FC for your event, audiences gain direct insight into how cyber threats develop and why understanding the attacker’s mindset can be a crucial part of building stronger defenses.
From offensive research to business security
FC’s career includes serving as Head of Offensive Research at Raytheon, a role that gave him insight into how nation states and the intelligence community work with cyber weapons.
This experience provides him with a broader view of cybersecurity and the evolving threats organizations may face. He helps audiences understand the relationship between offensive cyber capabilities, intelligence and the practical security challenges facing modern businesses.
In 2024, FC spent most of the year as fractional interim CISO for the USA arm of a large global retailer. This role added another important perspective to his work. Having spent years thinking like an attacker, he also gained direct experience of cybersecurity from the executive and organizational side.
The result is a distinctive hacker-turned-CISO perspective that allows FC to communicate security in terms that connect technical risk with business priorities.
Making cybersecurity accessible
Cybersecurity can quickly become complex, technical and difficult to relate to everyday business decisions. FC is known for making the subject accessible and engaging without losing sight of the seriousness of the threats involved.
As a motivational speaker, he brings energy and excitement to the stage, using stories and practical examples to keep audiences engaged. His own journey, including his experience as a target of bullying during his school years before becoming a cybersecurity expert, adds a personal dimension to his presentations and helps make his message memorable.
His keynotes explore themes such as:
- How cybercriminals and hackers approach their targets
- Why physical and digital security must be considered together
- The role of intelligence in understanding cyber threats
- How businesses can improve their defenses against cybercrime
- What leaders can learn from an attacker’s mindset
- How cybersecurity connects with wider business risk
FC’s aim is to help audiences leave with a clearer understanding of both the threats they face and the actions they can take.
A recognised voice in cybersecurity
FC has shared his expertise across printed media worldwide and has appeared on well-known industry podcasts, including Darknet Diaries.
Through these platforms, he has helped educate wider audiences about cybersecurity from a hacker’s perspective, demonstrating how attackers think and how organizations can become better prepared.
His hacker handle Freakyclown has become closely associated with his work and distinctive approach to cybersecurity communication. Combined with his real-world experience, it gives his keynotes a personality and perspective that audiences are likely to remember long after the event.
Hacker turned CISO
One of the defining aspects of FC’s expertise is his ability to understand security from both sides.
His background in offensive security means he knows how vulnerabilities can be discovered and exploited. His experience as a fractional interim CISO means he also understands the challenges organizations face when translating cybersecurity into strategy, priorities and business decisions.
This combination enables FC to communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences. He can discuss the mindset of an attacker while also showing why cybersecurity matters at leadership level and how security decisions can affect the wider organization.
For businesses facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, this perspective can help bridge the gap between cybersecurity teams, executives and employees.
Book FC for your event
Book speaker FC, aka Freakyclown, for an engaging keynote on cybersecurity, cybercrime, hacking and the attacker’s mindset.
His presentations combine decades of experience in offensive security with insights from his work at Raytheon and his time as a fractional interim CISO. This allows him to give audiences both the technical perspective of a hacker and the strategic perspective of a business security leader.
FC’s keynotes are designed to be accessible, energetic and practical. He gives organizations actionable insights that can be applied immediately while helping audiences understand why cybersecurity is a responsibility that extends far beyond the IT department.
For organizations looking to strengthen awareness, understand emerging cyber threats and equip teams with a clearer picture of how attackers think, FC delivers a memorable and practical cybersecurity experience.
Keynotes
Keynote by speaker FC:
How I rob banks
An eye-opening, informative and entertaining session that takes you on a light-hearted trip through the security issues, both physical and electronic, that have enabled this ethical hacker and social engineer to compromise the world’s largest banks and organisations.
Using tales from the front line, FC takes you through the lessons to be learned from an ethical hacker with a penchant for breaking into the impossible.
Join him on a rollercoaster ride of epic security fails and grandiose plans, including lock picking, kidnap, police chases and multi- million-pound bank heists.
Most Requested
Keynote by speaker FC:
The (nation) state of cyber security
This talk brings the audience up to speed on the cutting edge of cybercrime. What is the current state of the possible if you are not just a hacker, but a nation-state backed hacker group that has nearly unlimited resources?
FC leverages his work within the intelligence and defense communities and brings to light the most recent attack vectors. This session gives audiences a glimpse into a world that most of us rarely get to see.
Hot Topic
Keynote by speaker FC:
How a hack works: AI & deepfakes
The session brings current cyber threats to life with live demonstrations of deepfakes and AI-driven attacks, showcasing the modern tools that are defining cybercrime in 2025. By showing the techniques that criminals are using, this session from FC leaves a powerful impression on audiences.
Packed with real-world case studies and an eye-opening look at how artificial intelligence is transforming the threat landscape, FC bridges the present and future of AI in cybercrime. Whether you're a tech expert or a non-technical professional, this jargon- free talk equips you with a profound understanding of the technology shaping our world - and the risks that come with it.
Keynote by speaker FC:
Breaking in & moving up: Cyber lessons from a hacker-turned-CISO
In this unique session, FC shares hard-earned insights from his career as an ethical hacker turned Chief Information Security Officer. From dissecting the tactics of cybercriminals to navigating the complexities of boardroom decision-making, he provides actionable lessons for staying ahead of evolving threats.
With a rare perspective bridging an attacker’s mindset and strategic leadership, attendees will leave with practical takeaways to strengthen their organization's cyber resilience. Drawing on decades of experience at the front lines of cyber security, FC can adapt this talk for different audiences and answer any question that attendees may have.
Gastech 2021 | FC Ethical Hacker, Co-Founder & CEO, Syngenta
Watch FC in action
