From the very start of his career, a deep curiosity about security and risk management set him on a path that would shape his professional journey. Early experiences in organizations that prioritized security opened his eyes to the critical role of strong defense strategies, sparking an interest that would grow into a lifelong passion. Rather than simply following industry trends, he sought to understand the “why” behind security frameworks, immersing himself in the evolving landscape of compliance and risk mitigation.
This drive for knowledge and innovation defines Mathieu Gorge, the CEO and founder of VigiTrust. His commitment to lifelong learning led him to actively engage with industry working groups and security associations across the US and EU. Through these collaborations, he not only deepened his expertise but also contributed to shaping best practices that help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats.
Beyond his technical acumen, Mathieu is a firm believer in empowerment and open communication. He fosters an environment where teams feel valued and motivated to innovate, ensuring that security is not just a requirement but a culture. By working closely with global and regional experts, he continues to refine security strategies that bridge compliance with real-world business needs. A thought leader, speaker, and author, Mathieu remains dedicated to sharing his insights and inspiring others to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity.
A Visionary Leader in Cybersecurity
Mathieu Gorge’s journey into cybersecurity and risk management has been anything but conventional. With a background in languages, marketing, and law, he did not begin with formal training in IT or compliance. However, his early experiences in organizations that prioritized security ignited an interest that would evolve into a lifelong passion for data protection and risk management.
In the early years of his career, Mathieu focused on payment security, spending over 25 years working with various security frameworks, including PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, VRM, and ISO 27001. His active participation in security working groups and industry associations across the US and EU deepened his understanding of the immense value of strong security practices and risk management strategies.
Driven by a desire to help organizations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and compliance, he recognized the need for a platform that offered both practical and strategic solutions. This vision led to the founding of VigiTrust, a company dedicated to delivering top-tier security, risk management, and compliance services. His international experience, including serving as President of the French Irish Chamber of Commerce and contributing to various security think tanks, further reinforced the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These experiences laid the foundation for VigiTrust’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and global cooperation.
As the leader of an international company, Mathieu attributes his success to three key qualities: time management, continuous learning, and fostering collaboration.
First, effective time management has been crucial in balancing the demands of leading VigiTrust, advising organizations, and participating in global security initiatives. By setting clear boundaries and prioritizing time for both professional and personal commitments, he ensures a balanced approach that fuels productivity and innovation.
Second, continuous learning remains central to his leadership philosophy. In the fast-evolving field of cybersecurity, he actively engages with industry experts, regulators, and advisory boards to stay ahead of emerging trends. By fostering a culture of adaptability and improvement, he ensures that VigiTrust remains at the forefront of security and compliance innovation.
Finally, collaboration has been a cornerstone of his leadership. He believes in creating a transparent and accountable environment where his team is empowered to contribute their expertise. By promoting open communication and thought leadership, he ensures that every member of VigiTrust feels valued and motivated to drive innovation. This approach has been instrumental in keeping the company agile and resilient in an ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
These principles—time management, continuous learning, and collaboration—continue to shape Mathieu Gorge’s leadership, driving both his personal success and the success of VigiTrust.
Leading Innovation, Growth, and Empowerment in Cybersecurity
Mathieu’s professional journey is guided by three core principles: innovation, continuous growth, and empowerment—values that define both his leadership style and the mission of VigiTrust.
Innovation is the driving force behind everything he does. In the fast-moving world of cybersecurity and risk management, he challenges conventional approaches, always seeking more effective solutions. At VigiTrust, this commitment to innovation fuels the development of cutting-edge technology that helps financial institutions and businesses stay ahead of evolving threats. By fostering a culture of creative problem-solving and forward-thinking, he ensures that both his team and the company remain at the forefront of industry advancements.
Continuous growth is another fundamental ideal. For Mathieu, learning is more than acquiring new knowledge—it is about gaining insights from both successes and failures. This mindset of constant improvement shapes his leadership and ensures that VigiTrust evolves in tandem with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Empowering others is a value he holds deeply. Whether mentoring his team, encouraging collaboration, or providing opportunities for professional growth, he is dedicated to creating an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work. This philosophy extends to VigiTrust’s clients, as the company equips organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to manage cybersecurity risks effectively.
These principles—innovation, continuous growth, and empowerment—not only shape Mathieu’s leadership but also drive VigiTrust’s mission of delivering world-class security and compliance solutions.
Comprehensive Solutions for Cybersecurity & Compliance
VigiTrust provides a suite of advanced solutions designed to help organizations manage compliance, enhance cybersecurity, and build resilient risk management frameworks.
At the heart of its offerings is VigiOne, an integrated Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) platform. VigiOne streamlines the complexities of compliance management, supporting global security frameworks such as PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR. With features for audit management, risk assessments, evidence storage, and real-time tracking, VigiOne enables organizations to manage their security and compliance needs efficiently.
Recognizing the critical role of human awareness in cybersecurity, VigiTrust offers Cybersecurity Awareness Training through an interactive Learning Management System (LMS). Trusted by organizations worldwide, these training programs educate employees on best security practices, supporting over 100,000 users across 80+ countries.
Complementing this training is VigiStore, an eLearning platform that provides a wide range of cybersecurity awareness courses, ensuring employees are well-equipped to safeguard organizational data.
VigiTrust also leads the Global Advisory Board, a collaborative network of industry experts from over 30 countries. This think tank addresses emerging challenges in cybersecurity and compliance, offering invaluable insights that shape VigiTrust’s strategies and solutions.
Through these offerings, Mathieu and VigiTrust empower businesses to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and compliance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Overcoming Challenges in Global Expansion
Expanding VigiTrust into new international markets was one of the most complex challenges Mathieu faced in his career. Each region introduced unique regulatory requirements, making it essential to adapt VigiTrust’s solutions without compromising the company’s core values or the high standards that clients depended on.
To navigate this intricate landscape, Mathieu leveraged the expertise of the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board, a network of over 1,300 industry leaders, including CEOs, CFOs, and risk management experts. Engaging with this group provided invaluable insights into local compliance standards and industry best practices, allowing VigiTrust to tailor its solutions effectively for each market.
Beyond regulatory expertise, building strong relationships with local partners and stakeholders proved crucial. Collaborating closely with these experts gave Mathieu a deeper understanding of regional nuances, enabling VigiTrust to refine its solutions while ensuring compliance and delivering exceptional value to clients worldwide.
This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and collaboration—key principles that continue to shape VigiTrust’s global strategy. It was a pivotal moment that strengthened the company’s position as a trusted provider of integrated risk management solutions, guiding its approach to future challenges.
Recognitions & Industry Accolades
Under Mathieu’s leadership, VigiTrust has earned multiple prestigious awards and recognitions, solidifying its reputation as a global leader in cybersecurity and risk management.
- Best Provider for Integrated Risk Management (IRM) Market – M&A Today Global Awards 2023
Recognizing VigiTrust’s global impact in delivering innovative and effective risk management solutions. - Information Security Company of the Year (Education) – France, 2021
Highlighting VigiTrust’s commitment to enhancing cybersecurity education across industries.
Mathieu himself has also received individual accolades for his thought leadership and influence in cybersecurity:
- Best IT Security & Risk Management Business Leader – USA, M&A Today Global Awards 2023
Acknowledging his leadership in the U.S. cybersecurity sector. - One of the 10 Most Influential Business Leaders in Cybersecurity, 2022 – Insight Success
Recognizing his contributions to shaping cybersecurity strategies and risk management. - Security Professional of the Year – ISSA International Awards 2023
A testament to his outstanding achievements and thought leadership in information security.
These recognitions reflect not only Mathieu Gorge’s dedication to advancing cybersecurity standards worldwide but also VigiTrust’s continued impact in the industry, driving innovation, education, and global compliance excellence.
Living by the Mantra of Balance and Growth
For Mathieu, balance is a conscious choice—one that enables him to lead effectively while maintaining personal well-being. As the CEO of VigiTrust, managing an international company comes with demanding responsibilities, from global conferences to advisory roles. Yet, he firmly believes that staying effective requires intentional time management and clear boundaries between professional and personal life.
By prioritizing regular breaks, family time, and personal passions, Mathieu ensures that he remains focused and energized. Trusting his team to handle key responsibilities allows him to concentrate on strategic priorities and key relationships without becoming overwhelmed. This approach not only enhances his leadership but also fosters a positive, collaborative culture within VigiTrust.
Another essential part of his philosophy is continuous learning. Engaging in activities outside of work brings fresh perspectives that enrich his leadership approach. Whether through professional collaborations or personal growth, he remains committed to self-improvement and innovation, ensuring that both he and VigiTrust continue to evolve.
By living by this mantra, Mathieu leads with clarity, positivity, and purpose, creating an environment where his team thrives and the company excels in a fast-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Drawing Inspiration from Industry Leaders
Throughout his career, Mathieu has been deeply inspired by leaders and innovators in cybersecurity and risk management. Their dedication to advancing security practices and fostering collaboration has been a constant source of motivation for him.
A significant influence has been the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board, a network of over 1,300 industry leaders, including CEOs, CFOs, and risk management experts. Their commitment to knowledge-sharing and best practices has played a key role in shaping his strategic vision.
Additionally, his involvement in security associations and research platforms has provided invaluable insights and inspiration. Collaborating with professionals who share a passion for enhancing security standards has not only strengthened his expertise but also reinforced his belief in continuous learning and teamwork.
These experiences have shaped Mathieu’s leadership philosophy, driving his commitment to innovation, excellence, and collaboration at VigiTrust. By drawing from the insights of top industry leaders, he continues to lead by example—ensuring that cybersecurity and risk management evolve to meet the challenges of the digital age.
A Vision for the Future: Expanding VigiTrust’s Impact
Mathieu’s future endeavors are centered on expanding VigiTrust’s role as a global leader in cybersecurity and integrated risk management. His vision goes beyond providing security solutions—he sees VigiTrust as a thought leader, driving continuous improvement and helping organizations navigate the ever-changing landscape of security threats and compliance requirements.
A key component of this vision is the continued enhancement of the VigiTrust Global Advisory Board. By fostering deeper collaboration among industry experts worldwide, Mathieu aims to stay ahead of emerging trends, provide greater insights to clients, and strengthen VigiTrust’s position in the market. More importantly, he envisions this effort contributing to the broader advancement of cybersecurity standards and best practices globally.
On a personal level, Mathieu remains committed to cybersecurity awareness and education. He plans to further his contributions to the industry by publishing key insights, speaking at global conferences, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. His goal is to continue driving positive change and ensuring that organizations and security professionals are well-equipped to tackle future challenges.
Advice for Future Leaders in Cybersecurity
For aspiring leaders looking to make an impact, Mathieu Gorge emphasizes a few key principles:
- Commit to Continuous Learning
In cybersecurity—and any rapidly evolving industry—curiosity and lifelong learning are essential. Staying informed about emerging technologies, evolving threats, and industry trends provides a strong foundation for navigating complexity and making informed decisions. - Embrace Adaptability
Change is constant, and success comes from embracing challenges and being open to innovative solutions. Leaders who remain flexible and proactive can turn obstacles into opportunities and stay ahead of the curve. - Prioritize Networking & Collaboration
Building strong relationships is crucial for professional growth. Engaging with industry experts, participating in professional communities, and attending conferences can open doors to valuable insights and new opportunities. A collaborative mindset helps in solving challenges more effectively and building resilience in a fast-changing industry.
Ultimately, leadership—especially in cybersecurity—requires a blend of continual growth, adaptability, and strong relationship-building skills. By embodying these qualities, aspiring professionals can make a meaningful impact, drive innovation, and build a successful, future-proof career.