BG Karol Molenda

A well-known and internationally appreciated expert who specializes in building and implementing innovative solutions in cyber security, computer incident response, computer forensics and ICT Security. He supports modern scientific and research projects, actively participates in building relations with allies and key partners on the international area , also by using the Polish intellectual potential during conferences, workshops and military exercises such as Locked Shields, Cyber Coalition, Baltic Ghost, Cyber Phalanx, TIDE Sprint, CWIX or the largest NATO programming competition – NATO TIDE Hackathon.

A man with a mission, a leading architect and implementer of the concept of forming the Cyber Defence Forces in Poland; asking himself the question: “When and how?” and never “If?”. Demanding, above all, from himself, relentless in building the security of Poland and Poles in cyberspace, Brig. Gen. Karol Molenda, as an insightful observer of reality, constantly inspires NCSC staff and employees to implement creative initiatives and improve their own competences in the fields of cybersecurity, cryptology and IT.

An exceptional leader, under whose command the National Cyber Security Centre – named after Jerzy Witold Różycki – cultivates the heritage of the Cipher Bureau, where great Polish mathematicians and cryptologists worked on breaking the German cipher machine – ENIGMA. The Centre operates 24/7/365 in order to constantly monitor and respond to threats in cyberspace, educate Polish society through informational campaigns presenting the best practices in conducting online activities, as well as to build and develop cryptological tools.

An analytical mind who for 12 years served in the Military Counterintelligence Service. For his commitment and unconventional approach to cyber counterintelligence activities, he was awarded, inter alia, The Army Commendation Medal by the United States Department of Defense.

Brig. Gen. Karol Molenda is an innovator whose contribution and dedication to building a secure cyberspace in Poland, strengthening defense by creating Cyber Defence Forces, and implementing modern solutions in the field of cybersecurity were awarded with a military Oscar, i.e. ‘Buzdygan Award 2020 granted by the jury of the editorial office ‘Polska Zbrojna’, and in September 2021 with the European CYBERSEC Award, which he received during the second edition of the CYBERSEC CEE REGIONS&CITIES conference.

Brig. Gen. Karol Molenda is a graduate of the Military University of Technology (master’s degree in Cybernetics and MBA in Cyber Security) and Warsaw Management University.

From February 2019, he also serves as the Plenipotentiary of the Minister of National Defense for the creation of Cyber Defence Forces, which are to achieve full operational capability by the end of 2024.

Privately, a passionate horse rider and an avid runner.