Secure AI Transformation
- Security implications of AI adoption
- AI governance and technical controls
- Securing AI and agentic architectures
- AI to transform security operations
Cyber Security & AI Transformation Leader
About Marcus Burnap
Securing AI adoption · Modernising cyber defence · Scalable security products & services
- MVP Microsoft MVP
- MCT Microsoft Certified Trainer
- CISSP CISSP
Professional Background
Marcus is a global cyber security and AI transformation leader focused on helping organisations securely adopt AI, modernise cyber defence, and turn complex technology capabilities into scalable, outcome-based products and services.
Operating at the intersection of CTO strategy, security architecture, product leadership and technical delivery leadership, he works with senior executives, technology leaders and engineering teams to translate business ambition and emerging risk into executable transformation strategies. His focus is not simply deploying technology, but defining the operating models, architectures, services, governance and measurable outcomes required to make transformation sustainable at enterprise scale.
Marcus combines strategic leadership with deep hands-on technical expertise across the Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure, Microsoft 365, Entra, Sentinel, Defender XDR, Security Copilot, Agent 365 and the wider Microsoft AI security stack. This allows him to move between board-level strategy, product and service definition, architecture decisions and detailed technical implementation.
Signature Focus
Secure AI Transformation
A significant part of Marcus's work centres on Secure AI Transformation: helping organisations understand the security implications of AI adoption, establish appropriate governance and technical controls, secure emerging AI and agentic architectures, and use AI itself to transform security operations.
- Security implications of AI adoption
- Governance and technical controls
- Securing AI & agentic architectures
- AI-driven security operations
Building & Leading Security Capabilities
Marcus has extensive experience building and leading security practices, developing modern SOC and cyber defence capabilities, industrialising Sentinel and XDR, embedding SecDevOps principles, and integrating AI into security operations.
His approach is centred on creating repeatable, measurable and commercially viable capabilities that can be standardised, operationalised and delivered consistently across clients, regions and complex enterprise environments.
Core Expertise
Cyber Defence Modernisation
- Modern SOC design and build
- Sentinel and Defender XDR industrialisation
- Threat detection, hunting and response
- SecDevOps principles embedded
Security Architecture & CTO Advisory
- Operating models and governance
- Enterprise security architecture
- Zero Trust and identity (Entra)
- Measurable, outcome-based delivery
Product & Service Leadership
- Repeatable, productised capabilities
- Service definition and delivery
- Standardisation across regions
- Commercially viable outcomes
Microsoft & AI Security Stack
- Azure
- Microsoft 365
- Microsoft Entra
- Microsoft Sentinel
- Defender XDR
- Security Copilot
- Agent 365
- SecDevOps
Leadership Philosophy
As a Microsoft MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer and CISSP, Marcus combines industry thought leadership with practical delivery experience.
His leadership philosophy is centred on remaining technically credible while building the people, platforms, products and operating models required to deliver security transformation at scale.
Credentials & Recognition
🏆 Microsoft MVP
Microsoft Most Valuable Professional — recognised for exceptional technical expertise and contributions to the Microsoft security community.
🎓 Microsoft Certified Trainer
MCT — enabling technology leaders and engineering teams to build modern, secure capabilities with confidence.
🛡️ CISSP
Certified Information Systems Security Professional — deep, credentialed grounding in enterprise security.
🎤 Speaking & Community
Speaker at security conferences and Microsoft events, and an active mentor and advisor within the security community.