Despina Spanou

Since November 2025, Despina Spanou is Deputy Director-General for Cybersecurity and Trust at DG CONNECT, European Commission. As Head of Cabinet for VP Margaritis Schinas (2019–2024), she led EU work on security, migration, health, and the Security Union (counterterrorism, cybersecurity, hybrid threats). Previously, she was Director for Digital Society and Cybersecurity at DG CONNECT, shaping EU cybersecurity law, serving on ENISA’s Board and CERT-EU’s Steering Board. A Women4Cyber founder, she champions cybersecurity talent in Europe and teaches EU cybersecurity policy at Harvard. With 20+ years in the Commission, she held senior roles in health, consumer policy, and as Deputy Head of Cabinet for Commissioners Kyprianou and Vassiliou. Earlier, she practised EU competition/trade law at a US firm. Despina Spanou is a member of the Athens Bar Association and holds a Ph.D. in European law from the University of Cambridge.