Kia ora!

I am Rob Kehl, a cybersecurity leader with a background spanning the United States Air Force, Fortune 500 companies, and most recently Sygnia, an elite Israeli cybersecurity consultancy.

Following my physical security career in the Air Force, and after over a decade of hands-on experience in incident response, governance, and security architecture, I am thrilled to be relocating to New Zealand to continue my cybersecurity leadership journey, contributing to cyber resilience and defense for organizations in Hamilton, Auckland, and across Aotearoa.

Why New Zealand?

New Zealand offers more than just beautiful landscapes. It reflects values that deeply matter to me, including respect for science, education, healthcare, and diversity. I want my children to grow up in a community where these ideals are lived, not just discussed.

From Wellington to the Bay of Islands, every place I visited reinforced that New Zealand is a country that balances progress with peace. The country's commitment to wellbeing, combined with its English-speaking environment and family-friendly infrastructure (e.g., healthcare, education, science), made the decision clear.

My Cybersecurity Professional Mission

I am bringing my cybersecurity experience to help New Zealand companies, especially those in Hamilton and Auckland, build true defensive strength against adversaries, focusing on protecting what matters most, their Crown Jewels instead of focusing on (just) ‘best practices’.

My approach is balanced and business driven, ensuring that cybersecurity strategies are not just about following best practices but about implementing real world defenses from current incident response and data breach trends that make a tangible impact.

By taking an adversarial perspective and focusing on what matters most to each business or organization, I believe we are practicing true risk management, not just compliance or regulatory check in the box, though those elements certainly have their place. Let’s work with the facts and prioritize security where and how it makes sense to do so, then the compliance will follow.

I aim to guide organizations toward resilience through meaningful security architectures that prioritize operational continuity and measurable risk reduction. My goal is to inspire positive change and lead with both strategy and technical depth, not just manage from the sidelines.

Community and Cultural Commitment in New Zealand

I know that joining a new country's workforce means more than just doing a job. I am committed to learning and respecting the culture here. In June, I will begin a Maori cultural class to deepen my understanding and ensure I bring empathy and insight to every professional and personal interaction.

I am also actively involved with IT Professionals New Zealand and participate in cybersecurity community discussions focused on local challenges in Hamilton, Auckland, and the wider New Zealand region through platforms like InfoSecNZ.

Featured Recognition

I was recently featured in the ITP NZ Tech Blog, where I shared my journey and goals for contributing to New Zealand's cybersecurity landscape. You can read the article here: https://itp.nz/techblog/immigrating-to-nz

Credentials

Publications:

Defending Your Network Edge Against the Next Zero Day Exploit: https://www.sygnia.co/threat-reports-and-advisories/defending-your-network-edge-against-the-next-zero-day-exploit
AI: A Double Edged Sword for Security Teams:
https://www.sygnia.co/blog/ai-a-double-edged-sword-for-security-teams.
I also designed Sygnia's AI Security Services offering, which focuses on safeguarding businesses adopting both in-house and commercial AI tools: https://www.sygnia.co/solutions/artificial-intelligence-cybersecurity-services/

Looking Ahead to New Zealand Citizenship

As I settle into New Zealand, my focus is on contributing meaningfully to both the cybersecurity landscape and the broader tech community. I am excited to collaborate with local professionals, share knowledge, and continuously learn to strengthen collective resilience.

I am also committed to educating myself on New Zealand’s customs, history, and culture, with the goal of fully integrating into society and working respectfully within the local context. My long-term vision includes pursuing the path to citizenship and becoming an engaged member of the community, not arriving with the mindset of a stereotypical outsider.

Let’s Connect!

I welcome conversations with fellow professionals, recruiters, and companies eager to strengthen their cybersecurity strategies. Please feel free to connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertkehl
Email: NZRelocationBlogPost@CyberMillennial.com.

Why I Chose New Zealand for Cybersecurity Leadership: Building Cyber Resilience in Hamilton, Auckland, and Beyond