Craig Petronella
Cybersecurity executive, digital forensic examiner, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in IT, cybersecurity, compliance, AI, blockchain, and digital forensics. Founder and CEO of Petronella Technology Group, Inc. — an internationally trusted MSSP and RPO serving 2,500+ clients with a zero-breach record among managed security program participants.
BBB A+ Since 2003
|
Founded 2002
|
30+ Years Experience
|
Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author
CMMC-RP • Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner • MIT Certified • CompTIA Security+ • Expert Witness
30+ Years Protecting Businesses and Advancing Cybersecurity
Craig Petronella is the Founder and CEO of Petronella Technology Group, Inc. (PTG), an internationally trusted managed security services provider (MSSP) and registered provider organization (RPO). He founded PTG in 2002 and grew it from a one-person IT consultancy into a full-service cybersecurity, compliance, AI, and digital forensics firm serving 2,500+ clients with a demonstrated zero-breach record among managed security program participants.
Craig is an Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author of 15+ books on cybersecurity, AI, HIPAA, and compliance. He is a CMMC Certified Registered Practitioner (CMMC-RP, Registration RP-1372) and Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner who serves as an expert witness in high-profile cryptocurrency fraud, SIM swap, ransomware, and cybercrime cases.
He is an MIT Certified Professional in AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and Compliance. He has served as Contributing Editor for Cybersecurity at NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine for 5+ years and is a regular guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. Craig has been featured as a cybersecurity expert on CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, WRAL, and Time Warner Cable News.
Under Craig's leadership, PTG has maintained BBB A+ accreditation for 20+ consecutive years (since March 7, 2003), conducted onsite risk assessments for 500+ medical practices, hospitals, and business associates across the United States, and built a proprietary 39-layer cybersecurity stack covering People, Processes, and Technology.
Verified Expertise Across Cybersecurity, Forensics & AI
CMMC Certified Registered Practitioner (CMMC-RP)
Cyber AB — Registration RP-1372. Certified to guide organizations through CMMC 2.0 compliance.
Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner
State of North Carolina. Qualified to conduct legally admissible digital forensic examinations.
MIT Certified Professional
MIT Professional Education — AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity and Compliance. Also completed AI and Machine Learning program.
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA — Foundational cybersecurity certification covering information security principles.
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
Cisco — Network infrastructure design, implementation, and security.
Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft Certified Networking Specialist (MCNS) and Microsoft Cloud Essentials.
NC State University
College of Management, 1998–2002. Business and technology foundation.
Additional certifications: Hubbell Certified, Belden Certified, Proxim Certified — Certified through all seven layers of the OSI model, from network cabling through to the cloud.
Forensic Investigations & Expert Testimony
Craig has served as an expert witness for some of the largest SIM swap and cryptocurrency cases in history, providing testimony against major U.S. cryptocurrency exchanges and telecommunications companies. Listed on Forensic Resources since February 2024. CyberAB Registration: RP-1372.
Expert Witness Specializations
- Cryptocurrency Fraud & Tracing — SIM swap cases involving major U.S. crypto exchanges and telecommunications companies; hidden cryptocurrency in divorce, bankruptcy, and civil cases
- Ransomware Investigations — Kill chain analysis, incident response forensics, ransom negotiation evidence
- Business Email Compromise (BEC) — Wire transfer fraud, account takeover investigations
- Data Breach & Exfiltration Forensics — Evidence preservation, chain of custody, forensic imaging
- HIPAA Violation Investigations — Healthcare data breach forensics, compliance gap analysis
- Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Analysis — Transaction tracing, wallet identification, exchange subpoena support
- Endpoint & Network Security Analysis — Malware analysis, log correlation, intrusion timeline reconstruction
- Regulatory Compliance Expert Testimony — CMMC, NIST 800-171/172/173, HIPAA, FTC, ADA, SOC 2 Type II
Amazon #1 Best-Selling Author — 15+ Books
Craig has authored 15+ books on cybersecurity, AI, HIPAA, CMMC, and compliance. His work has reached Amazon #1 Best Seller status in three categories. View all books on Amazon.
-
Beautifully Inefficient Why Human Flaws Are Your Greatest Asset in the AI Age (2025) -
The Ultimate Guide To CMMC 2.0 How To Access Millions In Government Contracts (2024) -
How Hackers Can Crush You Protecting Yourself and Keeping Your Kids and Family Safe Online (2024)
-
How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice (2024 Edition) Updated for 2024 HIPAA rules and cybersecurity requirements
-
The Ultimate Guide To CMMC How To Access Millions In Government Contracts (2020) -
How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice (2nd Edition) Updated HIPAA rules and regulations for 2019 -
How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice Cybersecurity and HIPAA compliance for medical practices (2016) — Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook -
How Hackers Can Crush Your Law Firm Why Law Firms Are At High Risk For A Cybersecurity Breach (2017) -
How Hackers Can Crush Your Business Cybersecurity, compliance, laws and risk management solutions (2017) -
Peace of Mind Computer Support Managed IT Security Services, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity Laws, Risk Management -
How HIPAA Can Crush Your Chiropractic Practice HIPAA Compliance Kit & Manual For 2017 -
HIPAA Rescue Manual Get Your Medical Practice HIPAA Compliant (2019)
-
Encrypted Ambition Where Ambition Meets Encryption: Inside The Minds Of Disruptors (2020)
-
How To Get 100 New Customers in 100 Days Online Digital marketing strategies for business growth (Out of Print)
-
IT Buyers Guide What Every Business Owner MUST Know About IT Support Services and Fees -
Cryptolocker Virus: Thieves Are After Your Business Early warning on ransomware threats (2013)
Featured Cybersecurity Expert on National & Local News
Craig has appeared as a recurring cybersecurity expert on CBS 17 (18+ segments), ABC 11, NBC, FOX, WRAL, and Time Warner Cable News. Coverage spans ransomware, data privacy, cryptocurrency scams, cyberbullying, and consumer protection.
CBS 17 Segments (Selected)
- Russia and Cybersecurity: Concerns for Everyday Americans
- Practice Good 'Cyber Hygiene' to Avoid Ransomware Attacks
- NC Among 40 States in $400 Million Google Privacy Settlement
- Facebook May Be Gathering Data Thanks to '10-Year Challenge'
- TikTok Is a Security Risk
- Scam Warning: Text Messages From Your Own Number
- Gone Phishing: The Latest Scams to Hit Amazon
- How Personal Photos Stolen Is Like Identity Theft
Press & Publications
- Contributing Editor, NC Triangle Attorney at Law Magazine (5+ years, 18+ articles)
- Small Business Trendsetters — Amazon #1 Best Seller Feature
- Authority Press Wire — 3 Amazon Best Seller's Lists
- Mission Matters — "On a Mission to Help Companies Become Unhackable"
- Fintech Newscast — Episode 264
- LexBlog — Petronella Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics
- ProVisors Thought Leadership
- Coruzant Technologies Professional Profile
200+ Speaking Engagements Nationwide
Craig delivers keynotes, workshops, executive briefings, and guest lectures across national and international venues. He is a regular guest lecturer at NCCU School of Law. Book Craig for your event.
Keynote Topics
- AI Security & Governance — Data poisoning, model inversion, prompt injection defense, responsible AI adoption, EU AI Act, NIST AI Risk Management Framework
- Ransomware Kill Chain Analysis — Attack anatomy, defense strategies, incident response playbooks
- Digital Forensics Case Studies — Investigation methodology, evidence preservation, chain of custody
- Compliance as Competitive Advantage — CMMC 2.0, HIPAA, SOC 2, NIST frameworks
- CISO Playbook & Program Development — Building security programs for mid-market organizations
- Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Security — Fraud prevention, tracing, regulatory considerations
- Supply Chain Security & Vendor Risk — Third-party risk management, zero-trust architecture
- Incident Response & Breach Investigation — Real-world case studies, forensic techniques
Formats
- 30–60 minute keynote presentations
- 90-minute breakout sessions
- Half-day intensive workshops
- Panel moderation and participation
- Virtual presentations (Zoom/Teams)
- Executive board briefings
- "Lunch and Learn" sessions
Academic Engagement
Guest Lecturer at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law. Topics include cybersecurity ethics, compliance obligations, and digital forensics for attorneys. Based in Raleigh, NC — available nationally and internationally.
Encrypted Ambition — 95+ Episodes
Where Ambition Meets Encryption: Inside The Minds Of Disruptors. Craig hosts this podcast exploring the vision, grit, and game plans behind today's most disruptive founders and technologists. Topics span cybersecurity threats, compliance, cryptocurrency security, healthcare IT, AI, and digital resilience.
Listen on Your Preferred Platform
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms. Previously titled "Cybersecurity with Craig Petronella — CMMC, NIST, DFARS, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO27001."
Schedule a Consultation with Craig Petronella's Team
Whether you need cybersecurity leadership, digital forensics, expert witness services, compliance guidance, or an AI implementation strategy, Petronella Technology Group is ready to help. 30+ years of experience. 2,500+ clients. Zero breaches among managed security program participants.
5540 Centerview Dr., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606 • [email protected]