Ethical hacker and Founder & CEO of CyberX – The Ethical Hacking Services. I speak on stages across the world about offensive security, artificial intelligence, cyber deception, human risk, and the threats shaping our future.
Available for keynotes, technical talks, executive briefings, panels, podcasts, university lectures, and corporate events.
From artificial intelligence and cyber deception to offensive security and human risk, David's talks combine real-world experience, technical depth, strategic insight, and stories from more than a decade in cybersecurity.
Sessions can be tailored to technical, executive, academic, and general audiences.
How AI reshapes both defense and offense across the modern threat landscape.
Responsible testing that exposes real-world risk safely.
Exploiting and defending the human layer of security.
Building resilience and trust in a contested digital world.
Lessons from building an international security company.
Investigating incidents and uncovering evidence.
How AI reshapes both defense and offense across the modern threat landscape.
Responsible testing that exposes real-world risk safely.
Exploiting and defending the human layer of security.
Building resilience and trust in a contested digital world.
Lessons from building an international security company.
Investigating incidents and uncovering evidence.
The rise of credible, scalable, automated deception operations.
Methodical assessment of applications, networks, and infrastructure.
Why people remain the most targeted attack surface.
What's next on the horizon for defenders and organizations.
Protecting the systems societies depend on.
Geopolitics, adversaries, and the next generation of conflict.
The rise of credible, scalable, automated deception operations.
Methodical assessment of applications, networks, and infrastructure.
Why people remain the most targeted attack surface.
What's next on the horizon for defenders and organizations.
Protecting the systems societies depend on.
Geopolitics, adversaries, and the next generation of conflict.
Thinking like an attacker to build stronger defenses.
Full-scope adversary simulation against people, process, and tech.
Translating technical risk into strategic decisions.
Building and leading high-performing security teams.
Turning every employee into a line of defense.
Thinking like an attacker to build stronger defenses.
Full-scope adversary simulation against people, process, and tech.
Translating technical risk into strategic decisions.
Building and leading high-performing security teams.
Turning every employee into a line of defense.
David Silva is the Founder and CEO of CyberX – The Ethical Hacking Services, an international cybersecurity company specializing in offensive security, cybersecurity consulting, digital forensics, vulnerability management, security awareness, and advanced technical assessments, with operations across Portugal and the UAE.
With more than 12 years of experience in cybersecurity, David has worked with organizations across different countries and industries, helping public and private institutions identify vulnerabilities, understand cyber risk, and improve their security posture. He is based in Doha, Qatar.
Before founding CyberX, he worked as a Cybersecurity Specialist Engineer on the Red Team at iFood, one of Latin America's largest technology and food-delivery companies — leading security assessments of critical applications, advising engineering teams, communicating technical risk to management, and running internal Capture The Flag programs.
David holds a Master's degree in Cybersecurity from the University of Porto, a postgraduate degree in Information Security, and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering. He also studied at Mercer University in the United States through the Science Without Borders program.
His certifications include OSCP, HTB CPTS, HTB CWES, eWPTXv3, CySA+, PenTest+, and eCDFP. He authored CVE-2019-18791, CVE-2022-42974, and CVE-2024-37779, co-authored the book "Jornada Segurança da Informação," and mentors startups through the Dubai Create Apps program (Dubai Chamber, 2025 and 2026).
Under his leadership, CyberX was recognized among Portugal's Top 5% SMEs, featured in the Web Summit Startup Showcase, and expanded its operations into the Middle East.
Current role
Founder & CEO
CyberX – The Ethical Hacking Services
Nov 2021 – Present
Previous roles
Investor & Advisor
blue·auth
Apr 2026 – Present
Cybersecurity Specialist Engineer — Red Team
iFood
Jul 2021 – Jan 2025
Lead Security Engineer
Celfocus
Jun 2020 – Jul 2021
IT Security Analyst
Grupo Salvador Caetano
Feb 2020 – Jun 2020
IT Security Analyst
PDMFC
Feb 2019 – Feb 2020
Information Security Analyst
Clavis Segurança da Informação
May 2017 – Feb 2019
Advisory & Cyber Security Trainee
EY
Aug 2016 – Nov 2016
Malware Analyst Intern
Gas Global Antifraud Solution
Oct 2012 – Feb 2014
Recordings of selected talks and appearances.
Bologna, Italy · 26 Jun 2026
David delivering a keynote talk in Bologna, Italy — cybersecurity, AI and the evolving threat landscape.
DDC Samsys · Gondomar, Porto · 19 Jun 2026
David on the round table at DDC Samsys 2026 (Gondomar, Porto), discussing agility and cybersecurity in technology.
Europe's Podcast · Web Summit Vancouver · May 2026
David Silva on Europe's Podcast during Web Summit Vancouver 2026 — ethical hacking, AI-powered threat intelligence, The O platform, and building a global cybersecurity company.
Cyber Cast · Web Summit Lisboa · Nov 2025
David Silva, CEO of CyberX, interviewed by Silvia Triboni at Web Summit Lisbon 2025 — CyberX products, the Incubou acceleration journey, and the launch of TheO, an AI platform for preventing physical threats and terrorism.
The Shanu Suresh Show · Feb 2025
David Silva, Founder & CEO of CyberX, on ethical hacking, phishing, smart home & car hacking, bug bounties, red vs blue team, public Wi-Fi risks, and how to stay safe online in the AI era.
RTP · Web Summit Lisbon · 2024
David interviewed by RTP (Portuguese public broadcaster) during Web Summit Lisbon 2024.
Web Summit Lisbon · 2024
David representing CyberX at the Startup Showcase, Web Summit Lisbon 2024.
CyberCloud Expo · 2023
David Silva at CyberCloud Expo 2023 — a talk on pentesting, vulnerability assessment, red teaming and ethical hacking.
Palácio de Belém — Lisbon
David welcomed at the official reception by His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic.
SmartIFRJ
David Silva interviewed for the SmartIFRJ project on smart cities and smart factories.
David's work connects cybersecurity communities, businesses, universities, startups, and institutions across Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
David holds a broad portfolio of internationally recognized cybersecurity certifications covering offensive security, penetration testing, web application security, security operations, vulnerability assessment, and information security.
Issued by: OffSec
The industry-standard hands-on penetration testing certification. Proves the ability to compromise systems end-to-end through real exploitation, privilege escalation, and professional reporting.
Verify Credential
Issued by: Hack The Box
A highly practical certification covering the full assessment lifecycle — from recon and exploitation to lateral movement, Active Directory attacks, and client-ready reporting.
Verify Credential
Issued by: Hack The Box
An advanced web exploitation certification focused on chaining complex vulnerabilities in modern web applications and APIs, from discovery to full compromise.
Verify Credential
Issued by: INE Security
An advanced certification for complex web application attacks, secure-architecture weaknesses, and expert-level exploitation techniques in professional engagements.
Verify CredentialDavid and CyberX have received recognition for cybersecurity innovation, entrepreneurship, technical expertise, and contributions to the international security ecosystem.
CyberX was recognized among the Top 5% of small and medium-sized companies in Portugal in the 2025 edition, reflecting strong economic performance, financial consistency, and organizational credibility.
CyberX achieved third place in the EMFA category at INNCyber 2025, receiving recognition for its contribution to cybersecurity innovation and technological development.
David was selected to present a CyberX technology initiative to the President of Portugal, highlighting the company's work in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, risk intelligence, and innovation.
David serves as a mentor in the Dubai Create Apps program by the Dubai Chamber for the second consecutive year, supporting startups in building technology products and innovative solutions.
First place in the Celfocus Hack Days competition as part of Team ONYX.
Second place in the CryptoRace challenge at Roadsec 2017 in Rio de Janeiro.
Recognized on the Dean's List at Mercer University for outstanding academic performance.
Awarded a scholarship through Brazil's Science Without Borders international exchange program to study in the United States.
Beyond consultancy and public speaking, David has contributed to cybersecurity through vulnerability research, technical publications, professional education, and the responsible disclosure of security vulnerabilities.
WoodWing Elvis DAM v6.98.1
Authenticated Remote Command Execution (RCE)ReferenceKostal PIKO 1.5-1 MP plus HMI OEM p 1.0.1 (Solar Panel web application)
Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)ReferenceLexmark MS812 and multiple older-generation Lexmark devices
Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)ReferenceBrasport
A collaborative book on information security, addressing practical cybersecurity challenges and concepts relevant to professionals and organizations.
ReferenceUniversidade do Minho
Research exploring the application of machine learning techniques to the automated detection of software vulnerabilities.
ReferenceFUSION
An academic paper presenting a domain model for personalized monitoring built on context-aware data fusion.
ReferenceIllinois Institute of Technology
Development and implementation of an Android application focused on improving campus security, conducted at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
WSEAS
A formal analysis of Petri net properties through a model of a titanium injection system pulverized into blast furnaces, developed with CPN Tools.
ReferenceEverything event organisers, journalists and programme committees usually ask before inviting David.
Talks at universities and academic institutions are delivered pro bono. Engagements in another country or city are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Fees and terms — including travel and accommodation when applicable — are arranged individually for each invitation.
For keynotes, conferences, executive briefings, panels, corporate sessions, university lectures, workshops, podcasts, and international events, contact David's press team.
