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October 24-26, 2021 | Sea Island, GA
The Cipher Brief Annual Threat Conference is the premier national security conference of the year focused on public and private sector engagement around the country’s most pressing national security issues.
Attendance is by invitation only and is limited to professionals working in the national security space.
Our 2021 Agenda is focused on navigating to a new post-pandemic future and examining ways the public and private sectors can work efficiently to address national security threats emanating from China, Russia, cyber and space. We will also focus on the application and impact of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the national security environment via tabletop exercises, guest speakers and networking sessions.
Come prepared to engage, contribute to the conversation and present new ideas for tackling our most pressing challenges.
Seats are limited. Apply for your invitation to attend today.
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Conference Speakers
More speakers named daily
Dr. Stacey Dixon
PDDNI
Dr. Stacey A. Dixon was sworn in as the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) on Aug. 4, 2021. She currently serves as the sixth Senate-confirmed PDDNI.
Possessing over 18 years of intelligence experience, Dr. Dixon has led the Intelligence Community at the highest ranks. Dr. Dixon joined ODNI after serving as the eighth Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2019-2021, where she assisted the Director both in leading the agency and managing the National System for Geospatial Intelligence.
From 2018 to 2019, she was the fourth Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), after serving as its Deputy Director from 2016 to 2018. Before joining IARPA, Dr. Dixon served as the Deputy Director of NGA’s research directorate, where she oversaw geospatial intelligence research and development. She held additional leadership roles at NGA as the Chief of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Director of the Corporate Communications Office.
Prior to serving at NGA, Dr. Dixon was a staff member for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She first started her intelligence career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2003, where she was assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office’s advanced systems and technology directorate.
An accomplished leader, Dr. Dixon holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She was also a chemical engineer postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Dixon serves as a presidentially nominated member of the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the NGA Liaison to the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Board of Directors, and the NGA Liaison to the Spelman College Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM (COE-MWS) Leadership Advisory Board. Dr. Dixon is a native of the District of Columbia, where she currently resides.
Dr. Stacey A. Dixon was sworn in as the Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) on Aug. 4, 2021. She currently serves as the sixth Senate-confirmed PDDNI.
Possessing over 18 years of intelligence experience, Dr. Dixon has led the Intelligence Community at the highest ranks. Dr. Dixon joined ODNI after serving as the eighth Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2019-2021, where she assisted the Director both in leading the agency and managing the National System for Geospatial Intelligence.
From 2018 to 2019, she was the fourth Director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), after serving as its Deputy Director from 2016 to 2018. Before joining IARPA, Dr. Dixon served as the Deputy Director of NGA’s research directorate, where she oversaw geospatial intelligence research and development. She held additional leadership roles at NGA as the Chief of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Director of the Corporate Communications Office.
Prior to serving at NGA, Dr. Dixon was a staff member for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She first started her intelligence career at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 2003, where she was assigned to the National Reconnaissance Office’s advanced systems and technology directorate.
An accomplished leader, Dr. Dixon holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. She was also a chemical engineer postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Dixon serves as a presidentially nominated member of the Board of Visitors to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the NGA Liaison to the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) Board of Directors, and the NGA Liaison to the Spelman College Center of Excellence for Minority Women in STEM (COE-MWS) Leadership Advisory Board. Dr. Dixon is a native of the District of Columbia, where she currently resides.
Jen Easterly
Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Jen Easterly is the Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Ms. Easterly was nominated by President Biden in April 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on July 12, 2021.
As Director, Ms. Easterly leads CISA’s efforts to protect and defend civilian government networks, manage systemic risk to national critical functions, and collaborate with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial partners as well as with the private sector to ensure the security and resilience of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure.
Before serving in her current role, Ms. Easterly was the head of Firm Resilience and the Fusion Resilience Center at Morgan Stanley, responsible for ensuring preparedness and response to business-disrupting operational incidents and risks. Ms. Easterly joined the Firm in 2017 to build and lead its Cybersecurity Fusion Center, the operational cornerstone of its cyber defense strategy.
Ms. Easterly has a long tradition of public service, to include two tours at the White House, most recently as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, and earlier as Executive Assistant to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the George W. Bush Administration. A former member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, she also served as the Deputy for Counterterrorism at the National Security Agency.
A two-time recipient of the Bronze Star, Ms. Easterly retired from the U.S. Army after more than twenty years of service in intelligence and cyber operations, including tours of duty in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Responsible for standing up the Army’s first cyber battalion, Ms. Easterly was also instrumental in the design and creation of United States Cyber Command.
A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a French-American Foundation Young Leader, Ms. Easterly is the past recipient of numerous fellowships, including the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship, the National Security Institute Visiting Fellowship, the New America Foundation Senior International Security Fellowship, the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship, and the Director, National Security Agency Fellowship.
A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Ms. Easterly holds a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. She is the recipient of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation American Hostage Freedom Award and the Bradley W. Snyder Changing the Narrative Award.
Jen Easterly is the Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Ms. Easterly was nominated by President Biden in April 2021 and unanimously confirmed by the Senate on July 12, 2021.
As Director, Ms. Easterly leads CISA’s efforts to protect and defend civilian government networks, manage systemic risk to national critical functions, and collaborate with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial partners as well as with the private sector to ensure the security and resilience of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure.
Before serving in her current role, Ms. Easterly was the head of Firm Resilience and the Fusion Resilience Center at Morgan Stanley, responsible for ensuring preparedness and response to business-disrupting operational incidents and risks. Ms. Easterly joined the Firm in 2017 to build and lead its Cybersecurity Fusion Center, the operational cornerstone of its cyber defense strategy.
Ms. Easterly has a long tradition of public service, to include two tours at the White House, most recently as Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Counterterrorism, and earlier as Executive Assistant to National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in the George W. Bush Administration. A former member of the Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, she also served as the Deputy for Counterterrorism at the National Security Agency.
A two-time recipient of the Bronze Star, Ms. Easterly retired from the U.S. Army after more than twenty years of service in intelligence and cyber operations, including tours of duty in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Responsible for standing up the Army’s first cyber battalion, Ms. Easterly was also instrumental in the design and creation of United States Cyber Command.
A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a French-American Foundation Young Leader, Ms. Easterly is the past recipient of numerous fellowships, including the Aspen Finance Leaders Fellowship, the National Security Institute Visiting Fellowship, the New America Foundation Senior International Security Fellowship, the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship, and the Director, National Security Agency Fellowship.
A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Ms. Easterly holds a master’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. She is the recipient of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation American Hostage Freedom Award and the Bradley W. Snyder Changing the Narrative Award.
Christy Abizaid
Director of the National Counterterrorism Center
Christine “Christy” Abizaid was sworn in as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center on June 29, 2021. She is the eighth Senate-confirmed Director and the first woman to lead the United States’ counterterrorism enterprise.
Possessing 14 years of national security experience, Abizaid has served in key leadership positions. During the Obama Administration, Christy served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Abizaid served on the National Security Council Staff as both Director for Counterterrorism and Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. She also served for seven years with the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) Joint Intelligence Task Force Combating Terrorism as the Senior Intelligence Analyst in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Division and the Iraq/Middle East Division. During this time she deployed several times throughout the Middle East, including a tour as the senior DIA counterterrorism representative in Iraq.
Abizaid most recently served as an executive at Dell Technologies in its Global Operations organization, where she led supply chain assurance initiatives.
A decorated intelligence officer, Abizaid has received the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Award, the National Military Intelligence Association John T. Hughes Award, and the DIA Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Abizaid holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.A. in international policy studies from Stanford University.
Christine “Christy” Abizaid was sworn in as the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center on June 29, 2021. She is the eighth Senate-confirmed Director and the first woman to lead the United States’ counterterrorism enterprise.
Possessing 14 years of national security experience, Abizaid has served in key leadership positions. During the Obama Administration, Christy served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
Prior to joining the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Abizaid served on the National Security Council Staff as both Director for Counterterrorism and Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. She also served for seven years with the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) Joint Intelligence Task Force Combating Terrorism as the Senior Intelligence Analyst in the Afghanistan-Pakistan Division and the Iraq/Middle East Division. During this time she deployed several times throughout the Middle East, including a tour as the senior DIA counterterrorism representative in Iraq.
Abizaid most recently served as an executive at Dell Technologies in its Global Operations organization, where she led supply chain assurance initiatives.
A decorated intelligence officer, Abizaid has received the Office of the Director of National Intelligence Award, the National Military Intelligence Association John T. Hughes Award, and the DIA Meritorious Civilian Service Award. Abizaid holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.A. in international policy studies from Stanford University.
Lieutenant General Michael Groen
Director of Joint Artificial Intelligence Center
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Lieutenant General Michael S. Groen assumed his current position as the Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center on 1 October 2020. As a member of the JAIC team, he leads the transformation of U.S. Joint warfighting and departmental processes through the integration of Artificial Intelligence.
Prior to this nomination, General Groen was assigned to the National Security Agency and served as the Deputy Chief of Computer Network Operations, leading this premier Computer Network Exploitation organization. In 2018/2019, he served as the Director for Intelligence, Joint Staff (J2) in direct support of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Joint Staff. He also served as the Vice J2. Prior to his Joint Staff assignments, General Groen served as the Director of Marine Corps Intelligence (DIRINT) where he championed the redesign of intelligence capabilities into a Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise (MCISRE).
General Groen has served in a variety of operational, ground, air, and naval units. His service has included Central America, the Western Pacific, the Philippines, the Balkans and Iraq, General Groen served afloat with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported aviation units in the U.S. and Okinawa. In 2003, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He initially served as the Deputy Intelligence officer, then became the Intelligence Officer (G-2) in 2004. He has supported both conventional combat and counter-insurgency operations. General Groen was a principal in the redesign of Marine Intelligence to meet the emerging demands of the Global War on Terror. Later, General Groen served with the U.S. European Command as the Chief of Intelligence Planning for Europe and Africa. He was instrumental in transitioning intelligence processes into the Joint Intelligence Operations Center.
General Groen has commanded intelligence and operational units including the 3d Radio Battalion (conducting its first deployment to the Southern Philippines in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM) and the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California. He was also given additional duties as the Division’s Chief of Staff. As a perpetual change-agent, he has served as a Combat Development, Requirements, and Acquisition officer. He served as the initial Director of the Commandant's Amphibious Capabilities Working Group (Capabilities), the Ellis Group (Expeditionary Futures) and as the Director of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG).
General Groen is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. He has received multiple Master’s Degrees from the University of Southern California (Systems Management) and from the Naval Postgraduate School (Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics.) General Groen is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Naval War College.
General Groen's personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
General Groen is a native of Michigan with three sons.
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Lieutenant General Michael S. Groen assumed his current position as the Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center on 1 October 2020. As a member of the JAIC team, he leads the transformation of U.S. Joint warfighting and departmental processes through the integration of Artificial Intelligence.
Prior to this nomination, General Groen was assigned to the National Security Agency and served as the Deputy Chief of Computer Network Operations, leading this premier Computer Network Exploitation organization. In 2018/2019, he served as the Director for Intelligence, Joint Staff (J2) in direct support of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the Joint Staff. He also served as the Vice J2. Prior to his Joint Staff assignments, General Groen served as the Director of Marine Corps Intelligence (DIRINT) where he championed the redesign of intelligence capabilities into a Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise (MCISRE).
General Groen has served in a variety of operational, ground, air, and naval units. His service has included Central America, the Western Pacific, the Philippines, the Balkans and Iraq, General Groen served afloat with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and supported aviation units in the U.S. and Okinawa. In 2003, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division. He initially served as the Deputy Intelligence officer, then became the Intelligence Officer (G-2) in 2004. He has supported both conventional combat and counter-insurgency operations. General Groen was a principal in the redesign of Marine Intelligence to meet the emerging demands of the Global War on Terror. Later, General Groen served with the U.S. European Command as the Chief of Intelligence Planning for Europe and Africa. He was instrumental in transitioning intelligence processes into the Joint Intelligence Operations Center.
General Groen has commanded intelligence and operational units including the 3d Radio Battalion (conducting its first deployment to the Southern Philippines in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM) and the Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division in Camp Pendleton, California. He was also given additional duties as the Division’s Chief of Staff. As a perpetual change-agent, he has served as a Combat Development, Requirements, and Acquisition officer. He served as the initial Director of the Commandant's Amphibious Capabilities Working Group (Capabilities), the Ellis Group (Expeditionary Futures) and as the Director of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG).
General Groen is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. He has received multiple Master’s Degrees from the University of Southern California (Systems Management) and from the Naval Postgraduate School (Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics.) General Groen is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Naval War College.
General Groen's personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
General Groen is a native of Michigan with three sons.
Tonya Ugoretz
Deputy Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division
Tonya Ugoretz is a Deputy Assistant Director in FBI’s Cyber Division where she oversees national-level cyber policy, analysis of cybercriminal and national security threats, and partner engagement. Prior to this position, she spent three years at the Office of the Director for National Intelligence as the first Director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), for which she received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Ugoretz began government service in 2001 as a Presidential Management Fellow. In 2003, she became the first analyst to serve as the FBI Director’s daily briefer and thereafter served in various roles at FBI and other agencies, including assignments with CIA, Customs and Border Protection, and the National Intelligence Council.
Tonya Ugoretz is a Deputy Assistant Director in FBI’s Cyber Division where she oversees national-level cyber policy, analysis of cybercriminal and national security threats, and partner engagement. Prior to this position, she spent three years at the Office of the Director for National Intelligence as the first Director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), for which she received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Ugoretz began government service in 2001 as a Presidential Management Fellow. In 2003, she became the first analyst to serve as the FBI Director’s daily briefer and thereafter served in various roles at FBI and other agencies, including assignments with CIA, Customs and Border Protection, and the National Intelligence Council.
Rob Joyce
Director of Cybersecurity, NSA
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Mr. Rob Joyce is the Cybersecurity Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). As the new Cybersecurity director, he oversees NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate, which was established in October 2019 to prevent and eradicate cyber threats to the Department of Defense, National Security Systems, and the Defense Industrial Base.
Joyce assumed the position after serving as NSA’s top cryptologic representative in the United Kingdom; the Special U.S. Liaison Officer in London. Joyce has also held positions in the National Security Council, serving as cybersecurity coordinator and special assistant to the president from March 2017 to May 2018, including time as acting Deputy Homeland Security Advisor and Acting Homeland Security Advisor. He has worked to establish strong partnerships across the U.S. Government, industry, and allies, throughout his tenure and will continue these efforts in his new position.
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Mr. Rob Joyce is the Cybersecurity Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). As the new Cybersecurity director, he oversees NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate, which was established in October 2019 to prevent and eradicate cyber threats to the Department of Defense, National Security Systems, and the Defense Industrial Base.
Joyce assumed the position after serving as NSA’s top cryptologic representative in the United Kingdom; the Special U.S. Liaison Officer in London. Joyce has also held positions in the National Security Council, serving as cybersecurity coordinator and special assistant to the president from March 2017 to May 2018, including time as acting Deputy Homeland Security Advisor and Acting Homeland Security Advisor. He has worked to establish strong partnerships across the U.S. Government, industry, and allies, throughout his tenure and will continue these efforts in his new position.
Dr. Peter Highnam
Deputy Director of DARPA
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Dr. Peter Highnam became the deputy director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in February 2018. Before coming to DARPA, Dr. Highnam was the director of research at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), on assignment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), for two and a half years. Prior to that assignment, he served six years at the ODNI’s Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), initially as an office director, and then as director. Dr. Highnam worked from 2003 until 2009 in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Initially, he served as a senior advisor in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with responsibilities in areas where high-performance computing intersects with biomedicine and public health, including computational epidemiology. Subsequently, he served as senior advisor to the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), where he produced analyses in support of public health decision-making related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events, as well as naturally occurring disease.
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Dr. Peter Highnam became the deputy director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in February 2018. Before coming to DARPA, Dr. Highnam was the director of research at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), on assignment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), for two and a half years. Prior to that assignment, he served six years at the ODNI’s Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), initially as an office director, and then as director. Dr. Highnam worked from 2003 until 2009 in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Initially, he served as a senior advisor in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with responsibilities in areas where high-performance computing intersects with biomedicine and public health, including computational epidemiology. Subsequently, he served as senior advisor to the director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), where he produced analyses in support of public health decision-making related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear events, as well as naturally occurring disease.
Jennifer Ewbank
Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation
Michael Orlando
Acting Director, National Counterintelligence and Security Center
Michael J. Orlando is a Senior Executive Service leader with more than 25 years of law enforcement, Intelligence Community, and military experience, including counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations. Mr. Orlando joined the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in November, 2020, serving in the position of Deputy Director.
Mr. Orlando recently served as a Deputy Assistant Director in the Counterterrorism Division in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the business administration and operational support for the division, which included technology development, human resource matters, financial management, and private-sector partner engagements. Mr. Orlando also served as the acting head of the Counterterrorism Division and successfully managed several interagency crisis incident responses, including the attack at Pensacola Naval Air Station; Manda Airstrip, Kenya; as well as the domestic terrorism attacks in Jersey City, NJ, and Monsey, NY.
Mr. Orlando entered on duty as an FBI Special Agent in 2003 and was assigned to the Pittsburgh Division where he investigated counterintelligence matters. In his follow-on field assignment to the Washington Field Office, he worked on high priority counterintelligence special projects with multiple deployments to the People's Republic of China. In 2009, Mr. Orlando was the program manager assigned to a FBI task force where he coordinated counterintelligence operations in the Western Pacific and East Asia and led an interagency and foreign partner effort to disrupt foreign influence in the region.
In 2011, Mr. Orlando returned to the field and was assigned to the Honolulu Field Office where he oversaw the successful espionage investigation and conviction of a DoD contractor for passing national defense secrets to China. In 2013, Michael served as the principal deputy for the East Asia Section in the Counterintelligence Division, and in 2017 he served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, where he oversaw the successful disruption of Russian clandestine foreign agent Maria Butina. In 2018, he helped create the Counterterrorism Division’s Iran Threat Task Force, now the Iran Mission Center, as its first Acting Section Chief.
Mr. Orlando has received the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation and has been awarded three Director of National Intelligence Awards for Counterintelligence Operations.
A native of New York, Mr. Orlando received his bachelor's degree in Economics and Management from the State University of New York, College at Cortland. In 2017, Michael attended Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and earned a master’s in leadership. Prior to working for the FBI, he was an officer in the U.S. Army and was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency.
Michael J. Orlando is a Senior Executive Service leader with more than 25 years of law enforcement, Intelligence Community, and military experience, including counterintelligence and counterterrorism investigations. Mr. Orlando joined the National Counterintelligence and Security Center in November, 2020, serving in the position of Deputy Director.
Mr. Orlando recently served as a Deputy Assistant Director in the Counterterrorism Division in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing the business administration and operational support for the division, which included technology development, human resource matters, financial management, and private-sector partner engagements. Mr. Orlando also served as the acting head of the Counterterrorism Division and successfully managed several interagency crisis incident responses, including the attack at Pensacola Naval Air Station; Manda Airstrip, Kenya; as well as the domestic terrorism attacks in Jersey City, NJ, and Monsey, NY.
Mr. Orlando entered on duty as an FBI Special Agent in 2003 and was assigned to the Pittsburgh Division where he investigated counterintelligence matters. In his follow-on field assignment to the Washington Field Office, he worked on high priority counterintelligence special projects with multiple deployments to the People's Republic of China. In 2009, Mr. Orlando was the program manager assigned to a FBI task force where he coordinated counterintelligence operations in the Western Pacific and East Asia and led an interagency and foreign partner effort to disrupt foreign influence in the region.
In 2011, Mr. Orlando returned to the field and was assigned to the Honolulu Field Office where he oversaw the successful espionage investigation and conviction of a DoD contractor for passing national defense secrets to China. In 2013, Michael served as the principal deputy for the East Asia Section in the Counterintelligence Division, and in 2017 he served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, Counterintelligence Division, where he oversaw the successful disruption of Russian clandestine foreign agent Maria Butina. In 2018, he helped create the Counterterrorism Division’s Iran Threat Task Force, now the Iran Mission Center, as its first Acting Section Chief.
Mr. Orlando has received the FBI Director’s Award for Outstanding Counterintelligence Investigation and has been awarded three Director of National Intelligence Awards for Counterintelligence Operations.
A native of New York, Mr. Orlando received his bachelor's degree in Economics and Management from the State University of New York, College at Cortland. In 2017, Michael attended Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and earned a master’s in leadership. Prior to working for the FBI, he was an officer in the U.S. Army and was employed by the Central Intelligence Agency.
The Honorable Susan Gordon
Former PDDNI
Susan M. Gordon was sworn in as the fifth Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) on August 7, 2017. As PDDNI, Ms. Gordon assisted the DNI in leading the Intelligence Community (IC) and managing the ODNI. In particular, she focused on advancing intelligence integration across the IC, expanding outreach and partnerships, and driving innovation across the Community.
With nearly three decades of experience in the IC, Ms. Gordon has served in a variety of leadership roles spanning numerous intelligence organizations and disciplines. Most recently, Ms. Gordon served as the Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2015 to 2017. In this role, she helped the director lead the agency and manage the National System of Geospatial Intelligence. She drove NGA’s transformation to meet the challenges of a 21st century intelligence agency. She also championed agile governance, recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce, and expansion of geospatial intelligence services to the open marketplace. She is known for her commitment to diversity and inclusion and, to the women and men of the IC.
Prior to her assignment with NGA, Ms. Gordon served for 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), rising to senior executive positions in each of the Agency’s four directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. She joined the CIA in 1980 as an analyst in the Office of Scientific and Weapons Research, and went on to serve as the Director of the Office of Advanced Analytic Tools, Director of Special Activities in the Directorate of Science and Technology, Director for Support, and ultimately in concurrent roles as Director of the Information Operations Center and the CIA Director’s senior advisor on cyber. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company whose primary purpose is to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC. Ms. Gordon has been recognized for her creative executive leadership through numerous awards, including the Presidential Rank Award at the distinguished level.
Susan M. Gordon was sworn in as the fifth Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) on August 7, 2017. As PDDNI, Ms. Gordon assisted the DNI in leading the Intelligence Community (IC) and managing the ODNI. In particular, she focused on advancing intelligence integration across the IC, expanding outreach and partnerships, and driving innovation across the Community.
With nearly three decades of experience in the IC, Ms. Gordon has served in a variety of leadership roles spanning numerous intelligence organizations and disciplines. Most recently, Ms. Gordon served as the Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) from 2015 to 2017. In this role, she helped the director lead the agency and manage the National System of Geospatial Intelligence. She drove NGA’s transformation to meet the challenges of a 21st century intelligence agency. She also championed agile governance, recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce, and expansion of geospatial intelligence services to the open marketplace. She is known for her commitment to diversity and inclusion and, to the women and men of the IC.
Prior to her assignment with NGA, Ms. Gordon served for 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), rising to senior executive positions in each of the Agency’s four directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. She joined the CIA in 1980 as an analyst in the Office of Scientific and Weapons Research, and went on to serve as the Director of the Office of Advanced Analytic Tools, Director of Special Activities in the Directorate of Science and Technology, Director for Support, and ultimately in concurrent roles as Director of the Information Operations Center and the CIA Director’s senior advisor on cyber. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company whose primary purpose is to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC. Ms. Gordon has been recognized for her creative executive leadership through numerous awards, including the Presidential Rank Award at the distinguished level.
Gen. Michael Hayden (Ret.)
Former Director of the CIA and the NSA
General Hayden is a retired four-star General in the United States Air Force; he was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2006-2009 and the Director of the National Security Agency from 1999-2005.
General Hayden is a retired four-star General in the United States Air Force; he was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 2006-2009 and the Director of the National Security Agency from 1999-2005.
General Keith Alexander (Ret.)
Former Director of the NSA
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GEN (Ret.) Keith Alexander is the CEO and President of IronNet Cybersecurity. He served as the director of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Service from 2005-2014. He was also the first Commander, U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, GEN Alexander served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
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GEN (Ret.) Keith Alexander is the CEO and President of IronNet Cybersecurity. He served as the director of the National Security Agency and Chief of the Central Security Service from 2005-2014. He was also the first Commander, U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, GEN Alexander served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command.
Gen. David Petraeus (Ret.)
Former Director, CIA
Chairman of KKR Global Institute
General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) is a Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which he established in May 2013. He is also a member of the boards of directors of Optiv and FirstStream, a venture investor in some 20 startups, and engaged in a variety of academic endeavors. Prior to joining KKR, General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, culminating his career with six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Chairman of KKR Global Institute
General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) is a Partner and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which he established in May 2013. He is also a member of the boards of directors of Optiv and FirstStream, a venture investor in some 20 startups, and engaged in a variety of academic endeavors. Prior to joining KKR, General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, culminating his career with six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper
Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Cipher Brief Expert
Lt. Gen. Clapper (ret.) served from 2010 – 2017 as the Director of National Intelligence. In that position, he led the United States intelligence community and served as the principal intelligence advisor to the President.
Previously, Clapper served in two administrations as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he was the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on intelligence, counterintelligence, and security matters for the Department. In this capacity, he was also dual-hatted as the Director of Defense Intelligence for DNI.
Earlier, he directed the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), transforming it into the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) as it is today. He also served as a consultant and advisor to Congress and to the Departments of Defense and Energy and as a member of a wide variety of government panels, boards, commissions, and advisory groups.
Clapper, who began his military career as a rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps, served two combat tours during the Southeast Asia conflict and flew 73 combat support missions in EC-47s over Laos and Cambodia. He was Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence at U.S. Air Force Headquarters during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Director of Intelligence for three war-fighting commands: U.S. Forces Korea, Pacific Command, and Strategic Air Command. Following his retirement from military service in 1995, Clapper worked in the private sector for six years as an executive in three companies focused on services for the intelligence community. He was a member of the Downing Assessment Task Force that investigated the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996, and was vice chairman of a commission chaired by former Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia on the subject of homeland security.
Clapper earned a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in political science from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, and an honorary doctorate from the Joint Military Intelligence College.
His awards include three National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. He has also received the NAACP’s National Distinguished Service Award and the Presidentially-conferred National Security Medal.
Lt. Gen. Clapper (ret.) served from 2010 – 2017 as the Director of National Intelligence. In that position, he led the United States intelligence community and served as the principal intelligence advisor to the President.
Previously, Clapper served in two administrations as the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he was the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense on intelligence, counterintelligence, and security matters for the Department. In this capacity, he was also dual-hatted as the Director of Defense Intelligence for DNI.
Earlier, he directed the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), transforming it into the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) as it is today. He also served as a consultant and advisor to Congress and to the Departments of Defense and Energy and as a member of a wide variety of government panels, boards, commissions, and advisory groups.
Clapper, who began his military career as a rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps, served two combat tours during the Southeast Asia conflict and flew 73 combat support missions in EC-47s over Laos and Cambodia. He was Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence at U.S. Air Force Headquarters during Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Director of Intelligence for three war-fighting commands: U.S. Forces Korea, Pacific Command, and Strategic Air Command. Following his retirement from military service in 1995, Clapper worked in the private sector for six years as an executive in three companies focused on services for the intelligence community. He was a member of the Downing Assessment Task Force that investigated the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996, and was vice chairman of a commission chaired by former Gov. Jim Gilmore of Virginia on the subject of homeland security.
Clapper earned a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in political science from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, and an honorary doctorate from the Joint Military Intelligence College.
His awards include three National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medals, two Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. He has also received the NAACP’s National Distinguished Service Award and the Presidentially-conferred National Security Medal.
Christopher Krebs
Former Director of the CISA
Christopher Krebs served as the first director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Mr. Krebs was originally sworn in on June 15, 2018 as the Under Secretary for the predecessor of CISA, the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD). Mr. Krebs was nominated for that position by President Trump in February 2018.
Before serving as CISA Director, Mr. Krebs was appointed in August 2017 as the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection. In the absence of a permanent NPPD Under Secretary at the time, Mr. Krebs took on the role of serving as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for NPPD until he was subsequently nominated as the Under Secretary and confirmed by the Senate the following year.
Mr. Krebs joined DHS in March 2017, first serving as Senior Counselor to the Secretary, where he advised DHS leadership on a range of cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and national resilience issues. Prior to coming to DHS, he was a member of Microsoft’s U.S. Government Affairs team as the Director for Cybersecurity Policy, where he led Microsoft’s U.S. policy work on cybersecurity and technology issues.
Before Microsoft, Mr. Krebs advised industry and federal, state, and local government customers on a range of cybersecurity and risk management issues. This is his second tour working at DHS, previously serving as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection and playing a formative role in a number of national and international risk management programs.
As Director, Mr. Krebs oversaw CISA’s efforts to defend civilian networks, managed systemic risk to national critical functions, and worked with stakeholders to raise the security baseline of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure.
Mr. Krebs holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
Christopher Krebs served as the first director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Mr. Krebs was originally sworn in on June 15, 2018 as the Under Secretary for the predecessor of CISA, the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD). Mr. Krebs was nominated for that position by President Trump in February 2018.
Before serving as CISA Director, Mr. Krebs was appointed in August 2017 as the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection. In the absence of a permanent NPPD Under Secretary at the time, Mr. Krebs took on the role of serving as the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for NPPD until he was subsequently nominated as the Under Secretary and confirmed by the Senate the following year.
Mr. Krebs joined DHS in March 2017, first serving as Senior Counselor to the Secretary, where he advised DHS leadership on a range of cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and national resilience issues. Prior to coming to DHS, he was a member of Microsoft’s U.S. Government Affairs team as the Director for Cybersecurity Policy, where he led Microsoft’s U.S. policy work on cybersecurity and technology issues.
Before Microsoft, Mr. Krebs advised industry and federal, state, and local government customers on a range of cybersecurity and risk management issues. This is his second tour working at DHS, previously serving as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection and playing a formative role in a number of national and international risk management programs.
As Director, Mr. Krebs oversaw CISA’s efforts to defend civilian networks, managed systemic risk to national critical functions, and worked with stakeholders to raise the security baseline of the Nation’s cyber and physical infrastructure.
Mr. Krebs holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
Kristin Wood
Former CIA Deputy Chief, Innovation and Technology Group, Open Source Center
During her 20-year CIA career, Ms. Wood served in the Director’s area and three Agency directorates – analysis, operations, and digital innovation – leading a wide variety of the Agency’s missions in positions of increasing authority. Among her key Agency assignments were Deputy Chief of the Innovation & Technology Group at the Open Source Center (OSC). She led OSC’s open-source IT and innovation efforts to extract meaning from big data by guiding multi-disciplinary teams of analysts, data scientists, engineers, programmers and developers in creating tools, methodologies and infrastructure for the future. She also led the analytic team in the Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, partnering across CIA to present the CIA Director and the Agency’s most senior leaders with the intelligence they needed to represent the Agency with the White House, Congress and foreign partners. She was responsible for founding and leading a new regional Directorate of Operations (DO) division focused on the Middle East as its deputy chief, the first analyst ever selected for this honor. She led the Agency’s Advanced Analyst Program in the Directorate of Analysis’ (DA’s) Sherman Kent School, creating a program of study, overseeing the development, design and teaching of advanced tradecraft courses to experienced analysts.
As the Bush Administration was considering whether to go to war, Ms. Wood was asked to lead the team examining al-Qai’da’s ties in the Middle East in the Office of Terrorism Analysis in the Counterterrorism Center (CTC). She served a long stint as a briefer for the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), serving the Vice President’s National Security Advisor—and frequently the Vice President—in the lead up to and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
During her career she also served as an analyst overseas in the Middle East, a military analyst during the Balkans war, and an imagery analyst during the first Persian Gulf War. Ms. Wood graduated from Occidental College with an Advanced Bachelor’s in Political Science. She has two sons and a highly entertaining Wheaten Terrier.
During her 20-year CIA career, Ms. Wood served in the Director’s area and three Agency directorates – analysis, operations, and digital innovation – leading a wide variety of the Agency’s missions in positions of increasing authority. Among her key Agency assignments were Deputy Chief of the Innovation & Technology Group at the Open Source Center (OSC). She led OSC’s open-source IT and innovation efforts to extract meaning from big data by guiding multi-disciplinary teams of analysts, data scientists, engineers, programmers and developers in creating tools, methodologies and infrastructure for the future. She also led the analytic team in the Office of the Director of Central Intelligence, partnering across CIA to present the CIA Director and the Agency’s most senior leaders with the intelligence they needed to represent the Agency with the White House, Congress and foreign partners. She was responsible for founding and leading a new regional Directorate of Operations (DO) division focused on the Middle East as its deputy chief, the first analyst ever selected for this honor. She led the Agency’s Advanced Analyst Program in the Directorate of Analysis’ (DA’s) Sherman Kent School, creating a program of study, overseeing the development, design and teaching of advanced tradecraft courses to experienced analysts.
As the Bush Administration was considering whether to go to war, Ms. Wood was asked to lead the team examining al-Qai’da’s ties in the Middle East in the Office of Terrorism Analysis in the Counterterrorism Center (CTC). She served a long stint as a briefer for the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), serving the Vice President’s National Security Advisor—and frequently the Vice President—in the lead up to and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
During her career she also served as an analyst overseas in the Middle East, a military analyst during the Balkans war, and an imagery analyst during the first Persian Gulf War. Ms. Wood graduated from Occidental College with an Advanced Bachelor’s in Political Science. She has two sons and a highly entertaining Wheaten Terrier.
Sir Jeremy Fleming
Director of GCHQ (UK)
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Sir Jeremy Fleming is the Director of GCHQ, the UK’s Intelligence, Cyber and Security Agency. He was appointed in 2017 and is the 16th person to hold the role.
After an early career in the financial sector, Jeremy joined MI5 in 1993. He gained extensive operational, investigative and leadership experience across the full range of national security work. He helped shape MI5’s response to the London terrorist attacks in 2005, led the revision and publication of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, and was promoted to Assistant Director General to lead MI5’s preparations for the London 2012 Olympics. He then spent four years as Deputy Director General with responsibility for all investigations and operations.
In GCHQ, Jeremy has overseen the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre with a mission to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online. It has become a world leader in bringing together Government, industry and international partners to address cyber threats and inform the public. Jeremy has led a significant period of growth in the Agency, with the development of a strategic base in Manchester and a focus on diversity and inclusion. In 2019 he led GCHQ’s centenary celebrations with the publication of a landmark official history. And in 2020, a new partnership with the MoD was announced to create a National Cyber Force charged with delivering cyber operations.
Jeremy was made a Companion of the Order of Bath in 2016 and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 2021 for services to national security. He is also Honorary Colonel of JSSO(V). He holds a degree in Economic and Social History from the University of Bristol and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
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Sir Jeremy Fleming is the Director of GCHQ, the UK’s Intelligence, Cyber and Security Agency. He was appointed in 2017 and is the 16th person to hold the role.
After an early career in the financial sector, Jeremy joined MI5 in 1993. He gained extensive operational, investigative and leadership experience across the full range of national security work. He helped shape MI5’s response to the London terrorist attacks in 2005, led the revision and publication of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, and was promoted to Assistant Director General to lead MI5’s preparations for the London 2012 Olympics. He then spent four years as Deputy Director General with responsibility for all investigations and operations.
In GCHQ, Jeremy has overseen the creation of the National Cyber Security Centre with a mission to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online. It has become a world leader in bringing together Government, industry and international partners to address cyber threats and inform the public. Jeremy has led a significant period of growth in the Agency, with the development of a strategic base in Manchester and a focus on diversity and inclusion. In 2019 he led GCHQ’s centenary celebrations with the publication of a landmark official history. And in 2020, a new partnership with the MoD was announced to create a National Cyber Force charged with delivering cyber operations.
Jeremy was made a Companion of the Order of Bath in 2016 and Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 2021 for services to national security. He is also Honorary Colonel of JSSO(V). He holds a degree in Economic and Social History from the University of Bristol and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Nick Fishwick
Former Senior Member, of the British Foreign Office
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Nick Fishwick CMG retired in 2012 after nearly thirty years in the British Foreign Service. He did postings in Lagos, Istanbul and Kabul. His responsibilities in London included director of security and, after returning from Afghanistan in 2007, director for counter-terrorism. His final role was as director general for international operations. Nick Fishwick also spent three years on a secondment to UK Customs, specialising in international drug enforcement and tax evasion issues.
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Nick Fishwick CMG retired in 2012 after nearly thirty years in the British Foreign Service. He did postings in Lagos, Istanbul and Kabul. His responsibilities in London included director of security and, after returning from Afghanistan in 2007, director for counter-terrorism. His final role was as director general for international operations. Nick Fishwick also spent three years on a secondment to UK Customs, specialising in international drug enforcement and tax evasion issues.
Rick Ledgett
Former Deputy Director of the NSA
Rick Ledgett served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Agency from January 2014 until his retirement in April 2017, culminating a nearly 40 year career in cryptology at NSA and in the U.S. Army. He previously led the Media Leaks Task Force, the Agency’s response to the Snowden leaks. He was the first National Intelligence Manager for Cyber at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and he directed NSA’s 24/7 cyber threat operations center. Ledgett currently serves on the board of M&T Bank, is a senior visiting fellow at MITRE, a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, and a Board Trustee at IDA.
Rick Ledgett served as the Deputy Director of the National Security Agency from January 2014 until his retirement in April 2017, culminating a nearly 40 year career in cryptology at NSA and in the U.S. Army. He previously led the Media Leaks Task Force, the Agency’s response to the Snowden leaks. He was the first National Intelligence Manager for Cyber at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and he directed NSA’s 24/7 cyber threat operations center. Ledgett currently serves on the board of M&T Bank, is a senior visiting fellow at MITRE, a member of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, and a Board Trustee at IDA.
Paul Kolbe
Director of The Intelligence Project at Harvard University’s Belfer Center
Paul Kolbe is Director of The Intelligence Project at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Prior to this, Kolbe led BP’s global Intelligence and Analysis team supporting threat warning, risk mitigation, and crisis response. Prior to joining BP, Kolbe served 25 years as an operations officer in the CIA. He was a member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and is a recipient of the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Mr. Kolbe served in Russia, the Balkans, Indonesia, East Germany, Zimbabwe, and Austria. In course of his career, he served as station chief and in a variety of senior operational leadership and training roles.
Paul Kolbe is Director of The Intelligence Project at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Prior to this, Kolbe led BP’s global Intelligence and Analysis team supporting threat warning, risk mitigation, and crisis response. Prior to joining BP, Kolbe served 25 years as an operations officer in the CIA. He was a member of the Senior Intelligence Service, and is a recipient of the Intelligence Medal of Merit and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Mr. Kolbe served in Russia, the Balkans, Indonesia, East Germany, Zimbabwe, and Austria. In course of his career, he served as station chief and in a variety of senior operational leadership and training roles.
Kevin Mandia
CEO of Mandiant
Kevin has been FireEye Mandiant (now Mandiant) CEO since June 2016. He previously served as FireEye President from February 2015 until his appointment as CEO. Kevin joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief operating Officer in December 2013, when FireEye acquired Mandiant, the company he founded in 2004.
Kevin has been FireEye Mandiant (now Mandiant) CEO since June 2016. He previously served as FireEye President from February 2015 until his appointment as CEO. Kevin joined the company as Senior Vice President and Chief operating Officer in December 2013, when FireEye acquired Mandiant, the company he founded in 2004.
Norm Roule
Former National Intelligence Manager for Iran, ODNI
Norman T. Roule served for 34 years in the Central Intelligence Agency, managing numerous programs relating to Iran and the Middle East. He served as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran (NIM-I) at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from November 2008 until September 2017. As NIM-I, he was the principal Intelligence Community (IC) official responsible for overseeing all aspects of national intelligence policy and activities related to Iran, including IC engagement on Iran issues with senior policy makers in the National Security Council and the Department of State.
Mr. Roule’s service in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations included roles as Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief and Chief of Station. He has held multiple senior assignments in Washington as well during his 15 years working overseas.
Mr. Roule currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project and United Against Nuclear Iran.
Norman T. Roule served for 34 years in the Central Intelligence Agency, managing numerous programs relating to Iran and the Middle East. He served as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran (NIM-I) at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from November 2008 until September 2017. As NIM-I, he was the principal Intelligence Community (IC) official responsible for overseeing all aspects of national intelligence policy and activities related to Iran, including IC engagement on Iran issues with senior policy makers in the National Security Council and the Department of State.
Mr. Roule’s service in the CIA’s Directorate of Operations included roles as Division Chief, Deputy Division Chief and Chief of Station. He has held multiple senior assignments in Washington as well during his 15 years working overseas.
Mr. Roule currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project and United Against Nuclear Iran.
Dmitri Alperovitch
Executive Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator
Dmitri Alperovitch is the Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and is a co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike Inc. In 2016, Alperovitch revealed Russian intelligence agencies’ hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), events which unveiled the full scope of cyber influence operations being launched against the 2016 US Election. Alperovitch is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center’s Defending Digital Democracy Project and a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council. He has served on the board of Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC) Industry Advisory Board and currently serves on the RSA Conference Advisory Board.
Dmitri Alperovitch is the Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and is a co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike Inc. In 2016, Alperovitch revealed Russian intelligence agencies’ hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), events which unveiled the full scope of cyber influence operations being launched against the 2016 US Election. Alperovitch is currently a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center’s Defending Digital Democracy Project and a Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council. He has served on the board of Georgia Tech Information Security Center (GTISC) Industry Advisory Board and currently serves on the RSA Conference Advisory Board.
Ambassador Joseph DeTrani
Former Director of the National Counterproliferation Center
Ambassador Joseph DeTrani is former Special envoy for Six Party Talks with North Korea and the U.S. Representative to the Korea Energy Development Organization (KEDO), as well as former CIA director of East Asia Operations. He later served as the Associate Director of National Intelligence and Mission Manager for North Korea and the Director of the National Counterproliferation Center, while also serving as a Special Adviser to the Director of National Intelligence.
Ambassador DeTrani is a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker who served over two decades with the Central Intelligence Agency as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service. He was an officer in the Air Force and a distinguished military graduate at New York University (NYU). He attended NYU School of Law and Graduate School of Business Administration.
He is currently on the Board of Managers at Sandia National Laboratories, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.
Ambassador Joseph DeTrani is former Special envoy for Six Party Talks with North Korea and the U.S. Representative to the Korea Energy Development Organization (KEDO), as well as former CIA director of East Asia Operations. He later served as the Associate Director of National Intelligence and Mission Manager for North Korea and the Director of the National Counterproliferation Center, while also serving as a Special Adviser to the Director of National Intelligence.
Ambassador DeTrani is a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker who served over two decades with the Central Intelligence Agency as a member of the Senior Intelligence Service. He was an officer in the Air Force and a distinguished military graduate at New York University (NYU). He attended NYU School of Law and Graduate School of Business Administration.
He is currently on the Board of Managers at Sandia National Laboratories, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former president of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance.
Bill Evanina
Former Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, Cipher Brief Expert
As the Former Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), William “Bill” Evanina was responsible for leading and supporting the CI and security activities of the US Intelligence Community, the US Government, and US private sector entities at risk from intelligence collection or attack by foreign adversaries.
Under NCSC, he oversaw national-level programs and activities such as the National Insider Threat Task Force; personnel security and background investigations; continuous evaluation; information technology protection standards and compliance; CI cyber operations; supply chain risk management; threat awareness to sectors of the US critical infrastructure; national-level damage assessments from espionage or unauthorized disclosures, CI mission management, and national CI and security training programs.
As the Former Director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), William “Bill” Evanina was responsible for leading and supporting the CI and security activities of the US Intelligence Community, the US Government, and US private sector entities at risk from intelligence collection or attack by foreign adversaries.
Under NCSC, he oversaw national-level programs and activities such as the National Insider Threat Task Force; personnel security and background investigations; continuous evaluation; information technology protection standards and compliance; CI cyber operations; supply chain risk management; threat awareness to sectors of the US critical infrastructure; national-level damage assessments from espionage or unauthorized disclosures, CI mission management, and national CI and security training programs.
David Sanger
Chief Washington Correspondent at The New York Times
David E. Sanger is a national security correspondent and a senior writer. In a 36-year reporting career for The New York Times, he has been on three teams that have won Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2017 for international reporting. His newest book, The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age, examines the emergence of cyber conflict as the primary way large and small states are competing and undercutting each other, changing the nature of global power.
David E. Sanger is a national security correspondent and a senior writer. In a 36-year reporting career for The New York Times, he has been on three teams that have won Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2017 for international reporting. His newest book, The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage and Fear in the Cyber Age, examines the emergence of cyber conflict as the primary way large and small states are competing and undercutting each other, changing the nature of global power.
Glenn Gerstell
Former General Council of NSA, Cipher Brief Expert
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the National Security Agency and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology and national security and privacy.
Prior to joining NSA, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at the international law firm of Milbank, LLP, where he focused on the global telecommunications industry and served as the managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Hong Kong offices.
Mr. Gerstell served on the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security on security threats to the nation’s infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission.
A graduate of New York University and Columbia University School of Law, Mr. Gerstell is an elected member of The American Academy of Diplomacy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in his career, he was an Adjunct Law Professor at the Georgetown University School of Law and New York Law School. He is a recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the NSA Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the National Security Agency and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology and national security and privacy.
Prior to joining NSA, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at the international law firm of Milbank, LLP, where he focused on the global telecommunications industry and served as the managing partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Hong Kong offices.
Mr. Gerstell served on the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security on security threats to the nation’s infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission.
A graduate of New York University and Columbia University School of Law, Mr. Gerstell is an elected member of The American Academy of Diplomacy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in his career, he was an Adjunct Law Professor at the Georgetown University School of Law and New York Law School. He is a recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the NSA Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.
Suzanne Kelly
CEO and Publisher at The Cipher Brief
Suzanne Kelly is CEO & Publisher of The Cipher Brief and most recently served as CNN’s Intelligence Correspondent before spending two years in the private sector. She also worked as an Executive Producer for CNN and as a news anchor at CNN International based in Berlin and Atlanta. In Berlin, she anchored a morning news program that was broadcast live in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and from Atlanta, she anchored a number of world news programs. She covered the NATO campaign in 1999 from Kosovo and Macedonia.
Suzanne Kelly is CEO & Publisher of The Cipher Brief and most recently served as CNN’s Intelligence Correspondent before spending two years in the private sector. She also worked as an Executive Producer for CNN and as a news anchor at CNN International based in Berlin and Atlanta. In Berlin, she anchored a morning news program that was broadcast live in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and from Atlanta, she anchored a number of world news programs. She covered the NATO campaign in 1999 from Kosovo and Macedonia.
Kelly Bissell
Global Managing Director of Accenture Security
Kelly leads Accenture’s Global Security business. In his role, Kelly oversees the spectrum of security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. He also helps chief executives and the boards of companies understand ‘the new’ and approach cybersecurity with a balance of cost and risk.
With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Kelly specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role as the Accenture Security lead spans strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries. Kelly is also affiliated to OASIS, a non-profit consortium that drives the development, convergence, and adoption of open standards for the global information society.
In his free time, Kelly volunteers for the Community Food Bank. He is passionate about his family and loves spending time with them. He is also an avid reader and a regular runner.
Kelly leads Accenture’s Global Security business. In his role, Kelly oversees the spectrum of security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. He also helps chief executives and the boards of companies understand ‘the new’ and approach cybersecurity with a balance of cost and risk.
With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Kelly specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role as the Accenture Security lead spans strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries. Kelly is also affiliated to OASIS, a non-profit consortium that drives the development, convergence, and adoption of open standards for the global information society.
In his free time, Kelly volunteers for the Community Food Bank. He is passionate about his family and loves spending time with them. He is also an avid reader and a regular runner.
Maggie McDaniel
Vice President of Research and Head of Insikt Group at Recorded Future
As the Vice President of Research at Recorded Future, Maggie leads Recorded Future's Insikt Group in delivering analyst-generated finished intelligence and high-fidelity data to the Recorded Future Platform. After over a decade-long career with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Maggie entered the cybersecurity field in 2015 at Fidelity Investments, where she had roles in Threat Intelligence and Penetration Testing. Maggie has been with Recorded Future since 2017, and has led various parts of Insikt Group.
As the Vice President of Research at Recorded Future, Maggie leads Recorded Future's Insikt Group in delivering analyst-generated finished intelligence and high-fidelity data to the Recorded Future Platform. After over a decade-long career with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Maggie entered the cybersecurity field in 2015 at Fidelity Investments, where she had roles in Threat Intelligence and Penetration Testing. Maggie has been with Recorded Future since 2017, and has led various parts of Insikt Group.
Jack Wilmer
CEO of Core4ce
Prior to Core4ce, Jack served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity and the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Defense (DoD), where he was the senior official responsible for the cybersecurity of the Department of Defense. Prior to this role, Jack was detailed to the White House, and served as the Principal Assistant Director for National Security and International Affairs within the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) where he led a team of experts to define whole-of-government policy on a wide range of national security topics, including the Nation’s nuclear weapons posture, infectious diseases, bio/chem threats and security, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, and National Security/Emergency Preparedness communications infrastructure. Jack also served in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and the DoD in various other executive leadership roles. These roles include serving as the Vice Director for the 1200+ person, $1B+ organization responsible for development, acquisition, and evolution of all new capabilities provided by Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and running the 275+ person, $600M+ organization responsible for DISA’s cyber defense capabilities. Before serving in the Federal Government, Jack served 10+ years in the industry in various software engineering, program management, and executive leadership roles, culminating with his role as a Vice President at FGM, Inc., where he ran all aspects of FGM’s DoD work. Jack graduated with honors from Princeton University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Computer Science. Jack received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service in 2016 and serves on the Executive Advisory Council for the Washington, DC chapter of the Armed Forces and Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA).
Prior to Core4ce, Jack served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity and the Chief Information Security Officer for the Department of Defense (DoD), where he was the senior official responsible for the cybersecurity of the Department of Defense. Prior to this role, Jack was detailed to the White House, and served as the Principal Assistant Director for National Security and International Affairs within the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) where he led a team of experts to define whole-of-government policy on a wide range of national security topics, including the Nation’s nuclear weapons posture, infectious diseases, bio/chem threats and security, quantum information sciences, artificial intelligence, and National Security/Emergency Preparedness communications infrastructure. Jack also served in the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and the DoD in various other executive leadership roles. These roles include serving as the Vice Director for the 1200+ person, $1B+ organization responsible for development, acquisition, and evolution of all new capabilities provided by Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and running the 275+ person, $600M+ organization responsible for DISA’s cyber defense capabilities. Before serving in the Federal Government, Jack served 10+ years in the industry in various software engineering, program management, and executive leadership roles, culminating with his role as a Vice President at FGM, Inc., where he ran all aspects of FGM’s DoD work. Jack graduated with honors from Princeton University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Computer Science. Jack received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service in 2016 and serves on the Executive Advisory Council for the Washington, DC chapter of the Armed Forces and Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA).
Cynthia Saddy
Former Chief Technology Officer, DO, CIA
Cynthia Saddy is a former senior executive with the Central Intelligence Agency, where she held numerous leadership positions including the Directorate of Operation’s Chief Technology Officer (Acting and Deputy), Senior Advisor to In-Q-Tel, Chief of Staff to the Director of Operations, and as a two time Division Chief of Operations responsible for leading large-scale HUMINT and technical programs across multiple geographic regions.
During her 27 years of government service as a field operations officer, Saddy served in complex domestic and overseas leadership positions with significant responsibilities involving operations, technology, cyber, and information technology. Her assignments included tours of duty in multiple Near Eastern countries. Recognized for having a record of strong collaboration and relationship building across diverse teams, Saddy led multiple complex programs, projects, budgets, and people in conditions of high risk and uncertainty in multiple geographic regions and functional areas. She recently retired after establishing the Directorate of Operation’s Office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion.
Saddy is currently Vice President for National Security, Government Affairs at DataRobot where she supports the AI/ML startup’s efforts to drive opportunities in the intelligence community and promulgate Ethical AI standards in solving the public sector’s toughest challenges.
Saddy is a graduate of the University of Virginia in Foreign Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies and speaks Arabic and French. She earned a certificate of Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and is a certified Diversity to Belonging Facilitator.
Cynthia Saddy is a former senior executive with the Central Intelligence Agency, where she held numerous leadership positions including the Directorate of Operation’s Chief Technology Officer (Acting and Deputy), Senior Advisor to In-Q-Tel, Chief of Staff to the Director of Operations, and as a two time Division Chief of Operations responsible for leading large-scale HUMINT and technical programs across multiple geographic regions.
During her 27 years of government service as a field operations officer, Saddy served in complex domestic and overseas leadership positions with significant responsibilities involving operations, technology, cyber, and information technology. Her assignments included tours of duty in multiple Near Eastern countries. Recognized for having a record of strong collaboration and relationship building across diverse teams, Saddy led multiple complex programs, projects, budgets, and people in conditions of high risk and uncertainty in multiple geographic regions and functional areas. She recently retired after establishing the Directorate of Operation’s Office of the Chief Diversity and Inclusion.
Saddy is currently Vice President for National Security, Government Affairs at DataRobot where she supports the AI/ML startup’s efforts to drive opportunities in the intelligence community and promulgate Ethical AI standards in solving the public sector’s toughest challenges.
Saddy is a graduate of the University of Virginia in Foreign Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies and speaks Arabic and French. She earned a certificate of Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and is a certified Diversity to Belonging Facilitator.
Karen J. Monaghan
Principal, KJM Analytics, LLC
Karen Monaghan is an independent national security consultant providing geopolitical and political risk expertise to a range of government and private sector clients. Ms. Monaghan retired as a Senior Intelligence Officer in 2017, after serving 32 years at the Central Intelligence Agency in multiple analytic and managerial capacities and covering a range of geographic areas and functional issues. Twice serving as the National Intelligence Officer for Economics and Global issues, she oversaw several ground breaking transnational intelligence assessments—the National Security Implications of Global Climate Change, Geopolitics of Global Energy, and SARS, Down But Still a Threat. During her last three years at the Agency, Ms. Monaghan oversaw the CIA’s Russia-program to include its incursion into Ukraine, military involvement in Syria, and disinformation campaigns.
Karen Monaghan is an independent national security consultant providing geopolitical and political risk expertise to a range of government and private sector clients. Ms. Monaghan retired as a Senior Intelligence Officer in 2017, after serving 32 years at the Central Intelligence Agency in multiple analytic and managerial capacities and covering a range of geographic areas and functional issues. Twice serving as the National Intelligence Officer for Economics and Global issues, she oversaw several ground breaking transnational intelligence assessments—the National Security Implications of Global Climate Change, Geopolitics of Global Energy, and SARS, Down But Still a Threat. During her last three years at the Agency, Ms. Monaghan oversaw the CIA’s Russia-program to include its incursion into Ukraine, military involvement in Syria, and disinformation campaigns.
Sir Alex Younger
Former Chief, MI6
Alex Younger is former Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. He served as a career intelligence officer for 30 years in places like Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. Younger was appointed Director of Counterterrorism in 2009, and he served as Chief from 2014 to 2020. Prior to SIS, Alex served in the British Army as an infantry officer. He attended St. Andrews' University.
Alex Younger is former Chief of Britain's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. He served as a career intelligence officer for 30 years in places like Europe, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. Younger was appointed Director of Counterterrorism in 2009, and he served as Chief from 2014 to 2020. Prior to SIS, Alex served in the British Army as an infantry officer. He attended St. Andrews' University.
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