Editor’s note: ISACA’s Career Catalyst Stories showcase how members have been supported by ISACA throughout all stages of their careers. Today, we profile Hakan Kantas, Managing Partner and Principal Consultant at LumaTech Advisors. Find out more about ISACA membership here.
Hakan Kantas’ professional journey has always been driven by one central question: “How can technology make organizations stronger, safer, and more resilient?” Over three decades in technology leadership, he has pursued this question across industries and countries; from banking to consulting, from risk frameworks to cutting-edge AI. Today, as Managing Partner and Principal Consultant at Luma Tech Advisors, his focus is helping organizations embrace digital transformation while building continuity, resilience, and robust IT GRC practices.
Hakan has been an ISACA member for 15 years, and is one of the earliest members in Istanbul, Turkey. He is consistently involved, joining meetings late at night and participating with enthusiasm. Hakan finds these moments energizing and fulfilling, finding joy in contributing to the association and community.
“ISACA is not a passive membership organization,” Hakan said. “It is a vibrant, engaging, and inspiring global community. I consider it a family.”
Hakan and ISACA: early career
Hakan's journey with ISACA began during a transformative period in his career. Pamukbank, one of Turkey's most visionary and agile banks, merged with Halkbank, one of the country's largest, in 2004. Hakan, who was working at Pamukbank at the time, was responsible for managing the bank's entire software development infrastructure. He successfully led efforts to ensure Pamukbank's IT system was chosen over Halkbank's then-outdated banking infrastructure. Today, Halkbank is the country's fourth-largest bank, boasting over 1,000 branches.
Following this historic merger, Hakan was appointed to a newly established department within Halkbank: Technological Architecture Management. At the time, Hakan was leading the software infrastructure support department, with deep technical expertise in software and systems, and ISACA was a helpful resource as he navigated his new role.
“Transitioning into IT governance and GRC was a significant shift,” Hakan said. “There was little internal expertise in this area, so I turned to ISACA and COBIT as foundational resources. ISACA’s frameworks enabled me to design and implement comprehensive IT GRC processes from the ground up.”
This solo initiative evolved into a fully functioning division of 43 engineers responsible for GRC and project management.
Hakan holds both ISACA’s CRISC and CDPSE certifications. Hakan recalls that while participating in a national IT risk working group involving several banks in Turkey, a discussion emerged around professional knowledge and qualification in IT risk. “I was the only participant with a CRISC certification, and this distinction immediately garnered the respect and curiosity of my peers. Attendees began inquiring about how they could pursue CRISC themselves, and this moment was a clear testament to the credibility and influence of ISACA’s certifications in elevating professional presence and trust.”
What’s happening now?
Hakan currently serves as Managing Partner and Principal Consultant at LumaTech Advisors, an IT consultancy focused on governance, digital transformation and strategic risk advisory. The competencies he has developed through ISACA’s guidance not only shaped his leadership but also opened doors to global recognition, culminating in his achievement of the US Exceptional Ability Visa. Reserved for a very limited number of professionals who demonstrate outstanding expertise and internationally acknowledged contributions, the visa affirmed Hakan’s long-standing work at the intersection of AI, continuity management, resilience, and IT GRC.
Coming to the United States was not a sudden decision but the next chapter in a purposeful journey. “The US represents the world’s most dynamic and diverse technology ecosystem,” Hakan reflects. “It is a place where new ideas meet scale, where governance and resilience matter just as much as innovation.” His goal is clear: to multiply the impact of his work by helping enterprises adopt AI responsibly, strengthen continuity management, and build organizational resilience in the face of constant disruption.
ISACA has been a trusted partner throughout this journey. From leading workshops on AI in risk management and project governance to helping to develop frameworks that could immediately be put into practice, Hakan’s ISACA contributions reinforced his personal mission: to share knowledge generously and empower others to thrive.
“ISACA continues to play a central role in my professional life. It is more than an organization; it is a partner in my continuous learning, volunteer work, and professional advocacy,” Hakan said. “From contributing to the development of frameworks to promoting ISACA awareness among clients, I remain deeply committed to strengthening the ISACA community and empowering others through its resources.”
What’s next for Hakan?
Outside of his professional life, Hakan is passionate about cycling. He spends time training on the track with his race bike, exploring the incredible natural landscapes and iconic destinations across the United States.
“I also enjoy spending time with friends who share my enthusiasm for vintage computing. My personal collection includes a Commodore 64, Amiga 500, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and Atari 800XL. A nostalgic journey through the golden era of computing that reminds me how far technology has come, and how much further it can go.”
Looking ahead, Hakan is determined to use the broader resources and opportunities of the US to take his work to the next level, Including developing new methodologies in AI, continuity management, resilience, and IT GRC; sharing his expertise with larger and more diverse institutions; and building frameworks that can shape entire industries.
Increasing his involvement with ISACA is part of that ambitious vision. “I view ISACA not just as a career enabler, but as a platform for lifelong growth and impact — socially, technically, and professionally,” Hakan said.
“Supporting ISACA, and being supported by it, has been a cornerstone of my professional journey. To me, ISACA is more than a network; it is a powerful, united, and forward-looking family. And in the US, I see the chance to amplify that impact on a truly global scale.”
