Kat Sommer is a seasoned policy and strategy leader with over 15 years of experience spanning political institutions, consultancy, and corporate roles. At NCC Group, she has built and scaled the Government Affairs and Analyst Relations functions, embedding them as strategic enablers of the company’s mission to create a more secure digital future.
Her work has shaped cyber policy debates across the UK, EU, and globally—most notably through her leadership in the CyberUp Campaign and contributions to initiatives such as the UN’s Cybercrime Convention and the UK-France Pall Mall Process. Kat is a passionate advocate for cyber resilience, known for her ability to convene diverse stakeholders, drive regulatory engagement, and deliver tangible business outcomes.
She holds a Master’s in Public Affairs & Lobbying from Brunel University and a Bachelor’s in Public Administration with a focus on European Studies. Outside of work, she is a 4th Dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
As called for in the landmark Draghi report, the EU is working to enhance the global competitiveness of its businesses by simplifying regulations and unlocking financial support. To enable European cybersecurity firms to compete more effectively, the EU is revising key elements of the digital acquis through initiatives such as the Digital Omnibus, Digital Fitness Check and Cybersecurity Act 2.0; streamlining the implementation of new legislation such as NIS 2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act; and advancing new policy initiatives, including a Cloud and AI Development Act. In parallel, EU institutions continue to negotiate the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which will define funding priorities for cybersecurity capabilities and innovation through 2034. This session will examine what the EU and its Member States are doing — and what further steps may be required — to ensure that this broader push effectively strengthens and scales the European cybersecurity industry.
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Senior Director for EU Public Policy
Cisco
Cyber Safety Innovation Fellow, Atlantic Council; Volunteer
I Am The Cavalry
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology
Coordinator for Cyber Issues and Deputy Head of the Hybrid Threats and Cyber Division
European External Action Service (EEAS)
CISO
Zscaler
