Dr. Eric Cole, the cybersecurity expert, former CIA officer and founder of Secure Anchor Consulting, died suddenly on May 19, 2026, at the age of 56. His official website said the cause was an undisclosed health condition. Colleagues, students and clients across the security world have been paying tribute since.
A Career Built On Protecting Others
Dr. Eric Cole spent more than 30 years in cybersecurity. He began in the 1990s as a hacker and programmer at the Central Intelligence Agency. From there he moved into senior roles in the private sector.
He served as chief technology officer at McAfee and chief scientist at Lockheed Martin. He also held a seat on the cybersecurity commission advising the 44th US president. Over time he became one of the best-known voices in the field.
Secure Anchor And The Business View Of Security
Dr. Cole founded Secure Anchor Consulting, which he led as chief executive. The firm advised Fortune 500 companies, the Pentagon and leaders in industry and government. It was his fourth cybersecurity company, and he had built three earlier businesses to successful exits.
His message to leaders was simple. Cybersecurity, he argued, is a business risk and not just an IT problem. He told executives to translate bits and bytes into dollars and cents when speaking to their boards.
Teacher, Author And Mentor
Dr. Eric Cole wrote several books for both professionals and everyday readers. Titles include Cyber Crisis, Online Danger, Advanced Persistent Threat, Insider Threat and Hiding in Plain Sight. He also held more than 20 patent applications.
He taught more than 70,000 people and wrote one of the most widely used cybersecurity courses. Many of his students went on to become security chiefs at their own organizations. His recognitions included induction into the Information Security Hall of Fame and a Cyber Wingman award from the US Air Force.
Tributes From The Security Community
On June 5, 2026, the National Security Institute issued a statement of condolence. Dr. Cole had been a visiting fellow at its Cyber and Tech Center. The Institute said he had a gift for making invisible digital threats understandable to any audience.
Others who followed his work said much the same. One security professional wrote that Dr. Cole’s view of security as a business enabler changed how he approached his own career. He said he carried that thinking into his later roles as a chief technology officer and head of security.
His Mission In His Own Words
Dr. Eric Cole often described his purpose as ending suffering in cyberspace. He wanted the digital world to be a safe place to live, work and raise a family. His website said he pursued that goal until the very end.
The Programs He Leaves Behind
His work is still reaching new students. Secure Anchor says it will continue the CISO certification program he built, using the lessons and recorded instruction he created. The firm said future students will keep learning directly from him.
The Bigger Picture
Dr. Cole’s career followed the growth of cybercrime itself. He started when hacking was a niche skill and ended as the world’s banks, hospitals and governments depended on online systems. Through it all, he pushed the same idea: security works best when leaders understand it.
That is the habit he leaves with the people he trained. Ask what a breach would cost the business, and treat the answer as a leadership decision.
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Isabella is a global business journalist and former McKinsey analyst from Brazil. She brings sharp insights on economic shifts, policies, and founder journeys from around the world.
