Carlos Leonardo has been a key figure in strengthening cybersecurity in the Dominican Republic for more than a decade. In his role as Executive Director of Cybersecurity of the Dominican Republic, he has contributed significantly to the creation of foundational structures such as the National Cybersecurity Strategy, the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS), and its National CSIRT. In addition, he has led the design of laws focused on cybersecurity and data protection, and has promoted the creation of teams and sector-specific regulations to protect and enable information sharing between the government and critical sectors, both public and private.

His impact has extended beyond national borders through collaboration with international organizations and by supporting other countries in building incident response capabilities. As a member of the FIRST Board of Directors, he has worked to expand the organization’s global visibility in Latin America and to foster international cooperation in cybersecurity. He has also played a prominent role in cyber diplomacy processes, including UN working groups focused on the responsible use of ICTs and on drafting a new convention against cybercrime, serving as a key reference point for strengthening CSIRTs in Latin America and the Caribbean.