About Mike Privette

Also known as the Cybersecurity Economist behind Return on Security.

I’m Mike Privette, a former CISO turned creator, market analyst, and the person behind every word, chart, and insight you read here.

I’ve spent nearly two decades in cybersecurity, leading programs, navigating multi-million dollar security roadmaps, and advising companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500s. I’ve seen firsthand how security, strategy, and finance collide, and not always in productive ways.

That’s why I created Return on Security.

This isn’t a place for threat feeds or zero-day alerts (plenty of other resources can do that far better than I can). It’s where I unpack the economics of the cybersecurity industry. The funding rounds, M&A trends, public market signals, business model shifts, and how the entire industry actually operates behind the buzzwords.

Think of it as your inside edge on the cyber market. Built for security leaders, founders, investors, and anyone tired of the typical analyst fluff or VC hype.

Why “Cybersecurity Economist”?

I coined the term to describe the work I do of tracking, analyzing, and explaining how cybersecurity interacts with capital, regulation, macroeconomics, and emerging tech like AI. Most of my writing centers around how all of these things interact and affect the participants in the industry.

You can get the weekly update via the newsletter, but I also publish long-form industry analyses, deep dives, and category breakdowns. You’ll find the best ones curated on the Start Here page.

Want to Collaborate?

I’m open to:

  • Panels & podcasts

  • Speaking engagements

  • Non-Exec Director and advisory board roles

  • Collaborations that can help advance the industry

You can reach me at [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn.

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