Meet Craig Petronella
Founder and CEO of Petronella Technology Group. With over 22 years of experience in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and compliance consulting, Craig has built PTG into one of the most trusted technology firms in the Raleigh-Durham-RTP Triangle. An accomplished author, media commentator, and industry thought leader, he has dedicated his career to protecting businesses from cyber threats and empowering organizations with technology solutions that drive growth and resilience.
Cybersecurity Visionary & Technology Entrepreneur
Craig Petronella is the driving force behind Petronella Technology Group, a cybersecurity and managed IT services firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since founding PTG over two decades ago, Craig has guided the company through the dramatic evolution of the cybersecurity landscape, from the early days of antivirus and firewall deployment to today's sophisticated world of zero-trust architectures, advanced persistent threats, ransomware-as-a-service, and artificial intelligence-driven security operations. His leadership has been defined by an unwavering commitment to client protection, evidenced by PTG's remarkable track record of zero client data breaches across more than 2,500 companies served.
Craig's approach to cybersecurity is rooted in the belief that every business, regardless of size or industry, deserves enterprise-grade protection. This philosophy has shaped PTG's service delivery model, which combines modern security technologies with hands-on expertise, compliance-driven methodologies, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing businesses in the Triangle region and beyond. Under his leadership, PTG has developed comprehensive service offerings spanning managed cybersecurity, IT infrastructure management, cloud solutions, compliance consulting, disaster recovery, and virtual CISO services.
Beyond running PTG, Craig is a recognized thought leader in the cybersecurity industry. He is the author of multiple books on cybersecurity and technology management, a frequent speaker at industry conferences and business events across North Carolina and nationally, and a sought-after media commentator on topics ranging from ransomware and data privacy to compliance frameworks and small business cybersecurity strategy. His media appearances include interviews on national and regional news programs, industry podcasts, and cybersecurity publications where he provides accessible, actionable insights for business owners navigating an increasingly complex threat environment.
Why Craig Founded Petronella Technology Group
The Protection Gap
When Craig Petronella entered the IT industry over 22 years ago, he recognized a critical gap in the market. Small and mid-sized businesses in the Raleigh-Durham-RTP Triangle and throughout North Carolina were being left behind by the cybersecurity industry. Enterprise organizations could afford dedicated security operations centers, chief information security officers, and multi-million dollar security budgets. But the businesses that formed the backbone of the local economy, accounting firms, law practices, medical offices, construction companies, and architecture studios, were forced to cobble together inadequate solutions or simply hope they would not be targeted. Craig saw this as fundamentally unacceptable and founded PTG to close that protection gap, bringing enterprise-grade cybersecurity to every business that needed it at a price point that made financial sense.
Vendor Failures & False Promises
Craig also witnessed firsthand the frustration businesses experienced with IT vendors who overpromised and underdelivered. Too many technology providers operated as break-fix shops, showing up only after something went wrong and charging premium rates for reactive repairs rather than investing in proactive prevention. Others sold cookie-cutter solutions that failed to address the specific risks and regulatory requirements of different industries. Craig founded PTG on the principle that technology partnerships should be built on trust, transparency, and measurable results. He envisioned a firm that would act as a true extension of each client's team, deeply understanding their business operations, anticipating their technology needs, and holding itself accountable for the security outcomes that mattered most.
Craig's Approach to Cybersecurity Leadership
Craig Petronella leads PTG with a philosophy that security is not a product to be installed but a discipline to be practiced. This means building security into every layer of a client's technology environment, from physical infrastructure and network architecture through application security and user behavior. Under Craig's direction, PTG implements defense-in-depth strategies that combine multiple overlapping security controls to ensure that no single point of failure can compromise a client's data or operations.
His leadership extends beyond technical implementation into strategic advisory services. Craig regularly works with business owners, executives, and boards of directors across the Triangle region to help them understand their cybersecurity risk posture, develop appropriate risk management strategies, and make informed technology investment decisions. As a virtual chief information security officer for many PTG clients, he bridges the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, translating security metrics and threat intelligence into actionable boardroom insights that drive organizational resilience.
Craig is particularly passionate about compliance-driven security, recognizing that regulatory frameworks provide essential structure for building effective security programs. He has developed deep expertise in HIPAA compliance for healthcare organizations, PCI DSS for payment card environments, CMMC for defense contractors, SOC 2 for service organizations, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework as a universal best-practice baseline. This compliance expertise enables PTG to help clients not only meet their regulatory obligations but use compliance as a catalyst for building genuinely stronger security programs that protect against real-world threats.
Under Craig's leadership, PTG has also embraced innovation as a core competency. He continually evaluates emerging technologies, from artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in threat detection to zero-trust network architectures and cloud-native security solutions, ensuring that PTG clients benefit from the most effective tools and methodologies available. This forward-looking approach keeps PTG and its clients ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape that defines modern cybersecurity.
Craig's Areas of Professional Excellence
Published Author
Craig Petronella is the author of multiple books on cybersecurity, IT management, and business technology strategy. His published works provide accessible, practical guidance for business owners and technology professionals who want to understand the threat landscape and implement effective security measures without requiring a doctorate in computer science. His books cover topics ranging from fundamental cybersecurity hygiene and data protection to advanced compliance frameworks and incident response planning. These publications have established Craig as a thought leader whose insights reach far beyond the Triangle region, helping organizations across the country strengthen their security posture and make smarter technology decisions.
Media Commentator & Speaker
As a recognized cybersecurity expert, Craig is regularly invited to provide commentary and analysis on national and regional media outlets. His media appearances include television interviews, podcast episodes, and contributions to cybersecurity publications where he breaks down complex topics like ransomware trends, data privacy regulations, artificial intelligence in cybersecurity, and small business protection strategies. Craig is also a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, business association meetings, and community events throughout Raleigh, Durham, Research Triangle Park, and North Carolina, where he shares actionable insights that help audiences understand and address their most pressing technology and security challenges.
Compliance & Regulatory Expertise
Craig has developed deep expertise across multiple compliance frameworks including HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2, CMMC, NIST CSF, and CIS Controls. He understands that compliance is not merely about checking boxes but about building security programs that genuinely protect organizations and their stakeholders. Craig has guided hundreds of businesses through compliance assessments, gap analyses, remediation planning, and audit preparation, helping them achieve and maintain compliance while simultaneously strengthening their overall security posture. His CMMC Registered Practitioner credential positions PTG to assist Department of Defense contractors in the Triangle region and beyond with achieving the cybersecurity maturity levels required for continued government contract participation.
Strategic IT Leadership
As founder and CEO, Craig provides strategic IT leadership to both PTG as an organization and to the clients who rely on his guidance. His virtual CISO services bring executive-level security leadership to businesses that cannot afford or do not need a full-time chief information security officer. In this capacity, Craig develops cybersecurity strategies aligned with business objectives, presents security risk assessments to boards and executive teams, coordinates with legal counsel on regulatory matters, and oversees the implementation of security roadmaps that drive continuous improvement. His ability to communicate complex technical concepts in business terms has made him a trusted advisor to executives and business owners throughout the Raleigh-Durham metro and greater Triangle area.
Innovation & Technology Adoption
Craig continuously evaluates and adopts emerging technologies to keep PTG's service offerings leading in the industry. This includes pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into threat detection workflows, implementing zero-trust security architectures for clients transitioning to cloud-first environments, deploying advanced email security solutions that leverage behavioral analysis to detect sophisticated phishing attacks, and using automation to improve the efficiency and consistency of security operations. His commitment to innovation ensures that PTG clients always benefit from the most effective available defenses, not yesterday's technology applied to today's threats.
Community Leadership
Craig is deeply committed to the Raleigh-Durham-RTP Triangle business community. He actively participates in local business organizations, chambers of commerce, and professional associations, sharing his cybersecurity knowledge and helping raise awareness about the threats facing local businesses. Craig believes that a rising tide lifts all boats, and that by educating the broader business community about cybersecurity best practices, he can help create a more resilient regional economy that is better equipped to withstand the sophisticated cyber threats targeting organizations of all sizes. His community involvement extends to mentoring aspiring technology professionals and supporting initiatives that strengthen the Triangle's position as a national hub for technology innovation and talent development.
Building a Legacy of Trust & Protection
Ready to see what PTG can do for your business? Schedule a free consultation and join the businesses across the Triangle that trust us with their technology.
919-348-4912Craig's leadership has established PTG as a pillar of trust in the Triangle technology community. Business owners across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park rely on his expertise and integrity to safeguard their most valuable digital assets, meet their compliance obligations, and Handle the challenges of modern IT management with a partner who is as invested in their success as they are.
Industries Transformed by Craig's Leadership
Under Craig's direction, PTG has delivered measurable cybersecurity and IT outcomes across every major industry vertical in the Triangle region. His hands-on involvement in client engagements ensures that each organization receives a customized strategy that addresses their specific risks, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. Explore our case studies to see the results.
Accounting & Financial
See how Craig's leadership helped accounting firms in the Triangle achieve compliance and strengthen defenses against financial cyber fraud.
Architecture Firms
Discover how PTG modernized IT infrastructure and secured intellectual property for architecture practices across Raleigh-Durham.
All Case Studies
Browse the complete collection of PTG success stories spanning healthcare, legal, construction, non-profit, and more across North Carolina.
Meet Autumn Wilkins
Learn about another key member of the PTG team and her contributions to client cybersecurity and IT operations excellence.
Why Businesses Choose Craig & PTG
Founder-Led Engagement
Unlike large IT firms where clients are handed off to junior staff after the sales process, Craig Petronella remains personally involved in client relationships and strategic decisions. His direct engagement ensures that every PTG client benefits from over two decades of hands-on cybersecurity experience and the attention of a founder who has staked his professional reputation on delivering exceptional outcomes.
Proven Zero-Breach Record
Craig's leadership has produced a security track record that is virtually unmatched in the managed services industry. Zero client data breaches across 2,500+ companies over 22+ years is not a statistic that happens by accident. It is the result of deliberate strategy, relentless attention to detail, continuous investment in talent and technology, and a culture of security excellence that Craig has built from the ground up.
Thought Leadership
As a published author, media commentator, and conference speaker, Craig brings a level of industry insight and credibility that few local IT providers can match. His thought leadership activities keep him leading in cybersecurity trends, emerging threats, and best practices, which directly benefits every PTG client through more informed strategies and earlier adoption of effective countermeasures.
Deep Triangle Roots
Craig has built PTG in and for the Raleigh-Durham-RTP Triangle community. His deep understanding of the local business ecosystem, regulatory landscape, and economic dynamics enables PTG to deliver technology solutions that are specifically tuned to the needs of Triangle-area organizations. When you work with Craig, you are working with a neighbor who is invested in your success and the success of the entire community.
Questions About Craig & PTG
Partner With a Proven Cybersecurity Leader
Schedule a consultation with Craig Petronella and the PTG team to discover how 22 years of cybersecurity excellence can protect your business. Whether you need a comprehensive security assessment, compliance guidance, managed IT services, or strategic technology planning, Craig's hands-on leadership ensures your organization receives the expert attention and proven methodology that has kept 2,500+ companies breach-free. Take the first step toward stronger security and smarter technology investments for your business in Raleigh, Durham, RTP, or anywhere in the Triangle.