top of page
The Principals Committee
The CIG is a community of cyber professionals led by a group of distinguished experts with decades of experience. CIG Principals meet four times a year to help set the agenda for CIG Virtual Summits. They bring deep expertise and diverse perspective to the challenges of security, education, and collaboration in cyber.
General Michael Hayden (Ret.)
Former CIA Director / Former NSA Director
General Michael Hayden is a retired four-star general who served as director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. General Hayden also served as the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence and the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country. Hayden previously served as commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Director of the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center and served in senior staff positions at the Pentagon, U.S. European Command, and the National Security Council.
General Michael Hayden is a retired four-star general who served as director of both the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. General Hayden also served as the country’s first principal deputy director of national intelligence and the highest-ranking military intelligence officer in the country. Hayden previously served as commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Director of the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center and served in senior staff positions at the Pentagon, U.S. European Command, and the National Security Council.
General Keith Alexander (Ret.)
Co-CEO of IronNet / Former Director of NSA
General (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 of the U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, General 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.
General (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 of the U.S. Cyber Command. Prior to those roles, General 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.
Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery (Ret.)
Former Executive Director, U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
Mark Montgomery formerly served as the Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Before this position, he served as Policy Director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under the leadership of Senator John S. McCain. In this position he coordinated policy efforts on national defense strategy, capabilities and requirements, defense policy and cyber issues. Mark served for 32 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral in 2017. His flag officer assignments included Director of Operations (J3) at U. S. Pacific Command; Commander of Carrier Strike Group 5 embarked on the USS George Washington stationed in Japan; and Deputy Director, Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5), at U. S. European Command. He was selected as a White House Fellow and assigned to the National Security Council, serving as Director for Transnational Threats from 1998-2000. Mark graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in history from Oxford University, and completed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power training program.
The Hon. Susan Gordon
Partner, Gordon Ventures / Former PDDNI, ODNI
The Honorable Susan M. Gordon is former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI). Prior to ODNI, Gordon served in multiple leadership roles in the IC including as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she held senior executive positions in four of the Agency’s directorates. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company created to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.
The Honorable Susan M. Gordon is former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI). Prior to ODNI, Gordon served in multiple leadership roles in the IC including as Deputy Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she held senior executive positions in four of the Agency’s directorates. In 1998, she designed and drove the formation of In-Q-Tel, a private, non-profit company created to deliver innovative technology solutions for the agency and the IC.
General David Petraeus (Ret.)
Chairman of KKR Global Institute / Former CIA Director
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 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, including 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.
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 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, including 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.
Teresa Shea
Former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS)
Teresa Shea is former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS). Shea previously worked at In-Q-Tel as Executive Vice President of Technology and director of Cyber-Reboot. Shea spent thirty-two years at the National Security Agency (NSA) holding key leadership assignments including serving as Director of Signals Intelligence. Shea is a former Board Member at Recorded Future and former Board advisor to the Virginia Tech Hume Center. She currently serves on the Georgia Institute of Technology Board of Advisors.
Teresa Shea is former Vice President of Cyber Offense and Defense Experts (CODEX) for Raytheon Intelligence and Space (RIS). Shea previously worked at In-Q-Tel as Executive Vice President of Technology and director of Cyber-Reboot. Shea spent thirty-two years at the National Security Agency (NSA) holding key leadership assignments including serving as Director of Signals Intelligence. Shea is a former Board Member at Recorded Future and former Board advisor to the Virginia Tech Hume Center. She currently serves on the Georgia Institute of Technology Board of Advisors.
Kevin Mandia
CEO of Mandiant
Kevin Mandia is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandiant and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of FireEye, a position he held from June 2016 through September 2021. Mandia was appointed to the company’s Board of Directors in February 2016. As CEO of Mandiant, Mandia grew the company to more than $100 million in revenue and has spent more than 20 years in information security. He is a former United States Air Force Officer and former special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Kevin Mandia is the Chief Executive Officer of Mandiant and previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of FireEye, a position he held from June 2016 through September 2021. Mandia was appointed to the company’s Board of Directors in February 2016. As CEO of Mandiant, Mandia grew the company to more than $100 million in revenue and has spent more than 20 years in information security. He is a former United States Air Force Officer and former special agent in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Rick Ledgett
Former Deputy Director of 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.
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.
The Hon. Leslie Ireland
Board Member, Citi Group / Former Asst. Secretary of the Treasury for Intelligence and Analysis
The Honorable Leslie Ireland joined Treasury in 2010, after serving 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East and WMD. From 2008-2010, Ireland served as daily intelligence briefer to President. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire US government. Ireland sits on the Board of Directors at Citigroup, Inc. and The Stimson Center.
The Honorable Leslie Ireland joined Treasury in 2010, after serving 25 years at CIA where she specialized in Iran, the Middle East and WMD. From 2008-2010, Ireland served as daily intelligence briefer to President. As the first DNI Iran Mission Manager from 2005-2008, she served as the principal advisor to the DNI on Iran and was responsible for overseeing the intelligence process on Iran for the entire US government. Ireland sits on the Board of Directors at Citigroup, Inc. and The Stimson Center.
Dmitri Alperovitch
Executive Chairman, Silverado Policy Accelerator
Dmitri Alperovitch is the Executive Chairman at Silverado Policy Accelerator and is a co-founder and former CTO of CrowdStrike. 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 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. 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 currently serves on the RSA Conference Advisory Board.
Robert Hannigan
Chairman, BlueVoyant / Former GCHQ Director
Robert Hannigan serves as Chairman of BlueVoyant. He previously served as Director of GCHQ, the UK’s largest intelligence agency (and NSA equivalent) from 2014-17. Hannigan established the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre in 2016 and was responsible for the UK’s active cyber defence and offensive cyber programs. He spent twenty years in national security roles, including serving as the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser from 2007-2010. Hannigan is a long-standing member of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee.
Robert Hannigan serves as Chairman of BlueVoyant. He previously served as Director of GCHQ, the UK’s largest intelligence agency (and NSA equivalent) from 2014-17. Hannigan established the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre in 2016 and was responsible for the UK’s active cyber defence and offensive cyber programs. He spent twenty years in national security roles, including serving as the Prime Minister’s Security Adviser from 2007-2010. Hannigan is a long-standing member of the UK’s Joint Intelligence Committee.
Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty (Ret.)
Senior Executive Advisor, Booz Allen
Before joining Booz Allen, Stephen was a US Army Lieutenant General, serving 38 years on active duty. During his career, he spearheaded Army and Joint cyber, intelligence, and communications operations in a series of top leadership positions, including as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, where he led a highly talented workforce of over 16,500 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors collaborating with government, commercial, and international mission partners to conduct IT operations for 1.1 million soldiers and civilians at 188 bases, persistent defensive and offensive cyber operations, and information warfare operations around the world. Previously Steve commanded the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, the US Army Cyber Center of Excellence, and was the Chief of Staff U.S. Cyber Command. He successfully trained and deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and international mission partners conducting global cyber, communications, and intelligence missions.
Before joining Booz Allen, Stephen was a US Army Lieutenant General, serving 38 years on active duty. During his career, he spearheaded Army and Joint cyber, intelligence, and communications operations in a series of top leadership positions, including as Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, where he led a highly talented workforce of over 16,500 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors collaborating with government, commercial, and international mission partners to conduct IT operations for 1.1 million soldiers and civilians at 188 bases, persistent defensive and offensive cyber operations, and information warfare operations around the world. Previously Steve commanded the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, the US Army Cyber Center of Excellence, and was the Chief of Staff U.S. Cyber Command. He successfully trained and deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and international mission partners conducting global cyber, communications, and intelligence missions.
Jeanette Manfra
Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud; Former A/S for Cybersecurity and Communications, DHS
Jeanette Manfra is Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud and is the former Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served as Counselor to the Secretary and served as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity as part of the National Security Council staff from 2014-2015. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director of both Enterprise Performance Management and the Office of Emergency Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.
Jeanette Manfra is Director of Risk & Compliance at Google Cloud and is the former Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security. She previously served as Counselor to the Secretary and served as Director for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity as part of the National Security Council staff from 2014-2015. Prior to that she served as Deputy Director of both Enterprise Performance Management and the Office of Emergency Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.
Kelly Bissell
CVP, Microsoft
Kelly Bissell joined Microsoft as CVP in 2022.
Prior to this, Bissell led Accenture’s Global Security business and oversaw security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Bissell specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role at Accenture spanned strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries.
Kelly Bissell joined Microsoft as CVP in 2022.
Prior to this, Bissell led Accenture’s Global Security business and oversaw security services including strategic consulting, cyber defense, digital identity, response and remediation services, and managed security services. With more than 25 years of security industry experience, Bissell specializes in breach incident response, identity management, privacy and data protection, secure software development, and cyber risk management. His role at Accenture spanned strategic consulting, proactive risk management and digital identity to cyber defense, response and remediation services, and managed security services—across all industries.
Glenn Gerstell
Former General Counsel, National Security Agency
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the NSA and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. Prior to this, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at Milbank, LLP, focusing on the global telecommunications industry and serving as the managing partner of four offices. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology, national security, and privacy. He 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.
Glenn S. Gerstell, a Senior Adviser at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, served as the General Counsel of the NSA and Central Security Service from 2015 to 2020. Prior to this, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at Milbank, LLP, focusing on the global telecommunications industry and serving as the managing partner of four offices. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology, national security, and privacy. He 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.
Debora Plunkett
Former Director of Information Assurance, NSA
Debora Plunkett is a cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience. A former Director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency, she is currently Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a consulting business. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard and a Professor at the University of Maryland University College. Plunkett is a Director on JCPenney’s Corporate Board, a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the Advisory Board of the International Consortium for Minority Cybersecurity Professionals. She was on the National Security Council at the White House in two administrations.
Debora Plunkett is a cybersecurity leader with over 30 years of experience. A former Director of Information Assurance at the National Security Agency, she is currently Principal of Plunkett Associates LLC, a consulting business. She is a Senior Fellow at Harvard and a Professor at the University of Maryland University College. Plunkett is a Director on JCPenney’s Corporate Board, a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems and the Advisory Board of the International Consortium for Minority Cybersecurity Professionals. She was on the National Security Council at the White House in two administrations.
Stu Solomon
President, Recorded Future
Stu Solomon is the President of Recorded Future, the world’s largest provider of intelligence. In this role, he is responsible for leading the intelligence research, analysis, sales and marketing, services, enterprise and product security, and client delivery functions for Recorded Future. Prior to his current role, Solomon led the product, R&D, and strategy functions for the same. Prior to joining Recorded Future, he served as the CTO for Optiv and held various leadership roles at iSIGHT Partners and Bank of America. He is an advisor and investor across the cybersecurity industry, and currently a senior officer in the Air National Guard, focused on cyber operations. Solomon holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Stu Solomon is the President of Recorded Future, the world’s largest provider of intelligence. In this role, he is responsible for leading the intelligence research, analysis, sales and marketing, services, enterprise and product security, and client delivery functions for Recorded Future. Prior to his current role, Solomon led the product, R&D, and strategy functions for the same. Prior to joining Recorded Future, he served as the CTO for Optiv and held various leadership roles at iSIGHT Partners and Bank of America. He is an advisor and investor across the cybersecurity industry, and currently a senior officer in the Air National Guard, focused on cyber operations. Solomon holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Christopher Krebs
Partner, Krebs-Stamos Group
Matt Hayden
Former A/S for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy, DHS
Matt Hayden served as the Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy at DHS where he was responsible for leading policy development in support of department-wide efforts to reduce national risks with a focus on critical infrastructure cybersecurity, federal network security, countering cyber-crime, and improving the security and resilience of the global cyber ecosystem, as well as national resilience initiatives that enhance Federal, State, and local government and community preparedness and response capabilities. Additionally, he served as an expert advisor on Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience matters to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and other high-level officials.
Matt Hayden served as the Assistant Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policy at DHS where he was responsible for leading policy development in support of department-wide efforts to reduce national risks with a focus on critical infrastructure cybersecurity, federal network security, countering cyber-crime, and improving the security and resilience of the global cyber ecosystem, as well as national resilience initiatives that enhance Federal, State, and local government and community preparedness and response capabilities. Additionally, he served as an expert advisor on Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience matters to the Under Secretary, Secretary, and other high-level officials.
Colonel Candice Frost
Former Commander, Joint Intelligence Operations Center, U.S. Cyber Command
Colonel Frost retired in 2023 from the United States Army after more than twenty-five years of service in intelligence and cyber operations, including tours of duty in the Balkans and multiple deployments to Afghanistan. She was instrumental in the integration of women into combat arms and served close to half of her career in infantry divisions. Colonel Frost is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University instructing on cybersecurity, strategy, and policy. She is also a small business owner on leadership and mentoring to encourage women in national security.
Colonel Frost retired in 2023 from the United States Army after more than twenty-five years of service in intelligence and cyber operations, including tours of duty in the Balkans and multiple deployments to Afghanistan. She was instrumental in the integration of women into combat arms and served close to half of her career in infantry divisions. Colonel Frost is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University instructing on cybersecurity, strategy, and policy. She is also a small business owner on leadership and mentoring to encourage women in national security.
The Experts
When you engage with the Cyber Initiatives Group community, you're talking with individuals who include the experts below, who come from diverse backgrounds rooted in the public and private sectors.
John Carlin
Cipher Brief Expert, Partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Former Cipher Brief Expert John P. Carlin currently serves as the U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General. He formerly chaired Morrison & Foerster’s Global Risk and Crisis Management practice, advising industry-leading organizations in sensitive cyber and other national security matters, white collar investigations, and government enforcement actions. He is author of Dawn of the Code War: America’s Battle Against Russia, China and the Rising Global Cyber Threat.
Mr. Carlin previously served as Assistant Attorney General for National Security, overseeing nearly 400 employees responsible for protecting the nation against terrorism, espionage, and cyber and other national security threats. During his tenure, the National Security Division (NSD): investigated the attack on Sony Entertainment’s computer systems; secured the first federal jury conviction on charges brought under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996; and led DOJ’s participation on the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States.
Prior to assuming his role in the NSD, Mr. Carlin served as Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to Robert S. Mueller, III, former director of the FBI, where he helped lead the FBI’s evolution to meet growing and changing national security threats, including cyber threats. Mr. Carlin also held positions as National Coordinator of the DOJ’s Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Program and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, where he prosecuted cyber, fraud, and public corruption matters, among others, trying more than 40 cases to verdict.
Former Cipher Brief Expert John P. Carlin currently serves as the U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General. He formerly chaired Morrison & Foerster’s Global Risk and Crisis Management practice, advising industry-leading organizations in sensitive cyber and other national security matters, white collar investigations, and government enforcement actions. He is author of Dawn of the Code War: America’s Battle Against Russia, China and the Rising Global Cyber Threat.
Mr. Carlin previously served as Assistant Attorney General for National Security, overseeing nearly 400 employees responsible for protecting the nation against terrorism, espionage, and cyber and other national security threats. During his tenure, the National Security Division (NSD): investigated the attack on Sony Entertainment’s computer systems; secured the first federal jury conviction on charges brought under the Economic Espionage Act of 1996; and led DOJ’s participation on the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States.
Prior to assuming his role in the NSD, Mr. Carlin served as Chief of Staff and Senior Counsel to Robert S. Mueller, III, former director of the FBI, where he helped lead the FBI’s evolution to meet growing and changing national security threats, including cyber threats. Mr. Carlin also held positions as National Coordinator of the DOJ’s Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Program and Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, where he prosecuted cyber, fraud, and public corruption matters, among others, trying more than 40 cases to verdict.
Suzanne Spaulding
Senior Adviser, Homeland Security, International Security Program
Suzanne Spaulding is senior adviser for homeland security and director of the Defending Democratic Institutions project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She also serves as a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Previously, she served as undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she led the National Protection and Programs Directorate, now called the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), managing a $3 billion budget and a workforce of 18,000 that is charged with strengthening cybersecurity and protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure, including election infrastructure. Ms. Spaulding has worked in the executive branch in Republican and Democratic administrations and on both sides of the aisle in Congress. She was general counsel for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and minority staff director for the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She also spent six years at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she was assistant general counsel and the legal adviser to the director’s Nonproliferation Center. She was executive director of two congressionally created commissions, on weapons of mass destruction and on terrorism. Following the attacks of 9/11, Ms. Spaulding worked with key critical infrastructure sectors as they reviewed their security posture and advised the CEOs of the Business Roundtable. In 2002, she was appointed by Governor Mark Warner of Virginia to the Secure Commonwealth Panel to advise the governor and the legislature regarding preparedness issues. She was managing partner of the Harbour Group, a principal in the Bingham Consulting Group, and of counsel to Bingham McCutchen LLP. In addition to her work at CSIS, Ms. Spaulding currently serves on a number of corporate boards and advisory boards and is a member of the Homeland Security Experts Group (HSEG).
Suzanne Spaulding is senior adviser for homeland security and director of the Defending Democratic Institutions project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She also serves as a member of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission. Previously, she served as undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where she led the National Protection and Programs Directorate, now called the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), managing a $3 billion budget and a workforce of 18,000 that is charged with strengthening cybersecurity and protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure, including election infrastructure. Ms. Spaulding has worked in the executive branch in Republican and Democratic administrations and on both sides of the aisle in Congress. She was general counsel for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and minority staff director for the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She also spent six years at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she was assistant general counsel and the legal adviser to the director’s Nonproliferation Center. She was executive director of two congressionally created commissions, on weapons of mass destruction and on terrorism. Following the attacks of 9/11, Ms. Spaulding worked with key critical infrastructure sectors as they reviewed their security posture and advised the CEOs of the Business Roundtable. In 2002, she was appointed by Governor Mark Warner of Virginia to the Secure Commonwealth Panel to advise the governor and the legislature regarding preparedness issues. She was managing partner of the Harbour Group, a principal in the Bingham Consulting Group, and of counsel to Bingham McCutchen LLP. In addition to her work at CSIS, Ms. Spaulding currently serves on a number of corporate boards and advisory boards and is a member of the Homeland Security Experts Group (HSEG).
Thomas Rid
Professor Johns Hopkins SAIS / Author, Active Measures
Thomas Rid is the founding director at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins University/SAIS.
Rid’s 2020 book, Active Measures, a sweeping history of disinformation, was translated into seven languages. His 2016 book, Rise of the Machines, tells the sweeping story of how cybernetics, a late-1940s theory of machines, came to incite anarchy and war, and was also widely translated. His 2015 article “Attributing Cyber Attacks” was designed to explain, guide, and improve the identification of network breaches. In 2013 he published the much-cited Cyber War Will Not Take Place.
Thomas Rid is the founding director at the Alperovitch Institute for Cybersecurity Studies at Johns Hopkins University/SAIS.
Rid’s 2020 book, Active Measures, a sweeping history of disinformation, was translated into seven languages. His 2016 book, Rise of the Machines, tells the sweeping story of how cybernetics, a late-1940s theory of machines, came to incite anarchy and war, and was also widely translated. His 2015 article “Attributing Cyber Attacks” was designed to explain, guide, and improve the identification of network breaches. In 2013 he published the much-cited Cyber War Will Not Take Place.
Gilman Louie
CEO and Chairman of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions
Gilman Louie is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions and a founding partner at Alsop Louie Partners. He is also the Chairman of the Federation of American Scientists and a director at the Markle Foundation. He founded and formerly led In-Q-Tel, a strategic venture fund created to help enhance national security by connecting the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Intelligence community with venture-backed entrepreneurial companies.
Gilman Louie is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of LookingGlass Cyber Solutions and a founding partner at Alsop Louie Partners. He is also the Chairman of the Federation of American Scientists and a director at the Markle Foundation. He founded and formerly led In-Q-Tel, a strategic venture fund created to help enhance national security by connecting the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. Intelligence community with venture-backed entrepreneurial companies.
Jon Darby
Former Director of the Operations Directorate, NSA/CSS
Mr. Darby is a nearly 39-year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community, primarily in the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS), culminating in serving over four years as the NSA/CSS Director of Operations (DO). Prior to assuming the DO position, which oversees all of NSA’s collection, code-breaking, analysis and production of signals intelligence (SIGINT), he led some of NSA’s most difficult missions, including Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity Operations, and SIGINT analysis and production on all geographic and transnational missions. He managed a budget in the billions, drove development and use of advanced technologies, and in multiple positions led thousands of globally distributed civilian and military personnel providing intelligence support for military, diplomatic, cybersecurity and law enforcement operations.
Starting his career as a Russian language analyst, Mr. Darby served in a variety of field and operations management positions at NSA and abroad. He spent over a decade following 9/11 in various leadership positions in NSA’s counterterrorism and counterproliferation missions, to include serving as NSA’s Chief of Counterterrorism during the Osama bin Laden operation. Other key senior leadership assignments include serving as NSA’s Chief of SIGINT Analysis and Production and the Deputy Chief of Cybersecurity Operations.
Mr. Darby is a graduate of Carleton College, where he majored in Political Science/International Relations with a Concentration in Russian Studies.
Mr. Darby is a nearly 39-year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community, primarily in the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS), culminating in serving over four years as the NSA/CSS Director of Operations (DO). Prior to assuming the DO position, which oversees all of NSA’s collection, code-breaking, analysis and production of signals intelligence (SIGINT), he led some of NSA’s most difficult missions, including Counterterrorism, Cybersecurity Operations, and SIGINT analysis and production on all geographic and transnational missions. He managed a budget in the billions, drove development and use of advanced technologies, and in multiple positions led thousands of globally distributed civilian and military personnel providing intelligence support for military, diplomatic, cybersecurity and law enforcement operations.
Starting his career as a Russian language analyst, Mr. Darby served in a variety of field and operations management positions at NSA and abroad. He spent over a decade following 9/11 in various leadership positions in NSA’s counterterrorism and counterproliferation missions, to include serving as NSA’s Chief of Counterterrorism during the Osama bin Laden operation. Other key senior leadership assignments include serving as NSA’s Chief of SIGINT Analysis and Production and the Deputy Chief of Cybersecurity Operations.
Mr. Darby is a graduate of Carleton College, where he majored in Political Science/International Relations with a Concentration in Russian Studies.
Steve Hill
Deputy Group CISO, Credit Suisse
Steve Hill is Chief Information Security Officer (Head of Strategy) at Credit Suisse. He was previously CISO for the Investment Bank and Americas; global head of Operational Resilience; and head of Technology, Cyber and Third Party Risk. Before joining Credit Suisse in 2017, Hill spent over thirty years in the UK Government, including a variety of national security roles at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and as deputy director, with responsibility for aspects of UK Government cyber security policy, at the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. Steve is a visiting senior research fellow at the War Studies Department of Kings College, London.
Steve Hill is Chief Information Security Officer (Head of Strategy) at Credit Suisse. He was previously CISO for the Investment Bank and Americas; global head of Operational Resilience; and head of Technology, Cyber and Third Party Risk. Before joining Credit Suisse in 2017, Hill spent over thirty years in the UK Government, including a variety of national security roles at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and as deputy director, with responsibility for aspects of UK Government cyber security policy, at the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. Steve is a visiting senior research fellow at the War Studies Department of Kings College, London.
Geoff Brown
VP of Global Intelligence Platforms, Recorded Future
Geoff Brown is the Vice President of Global Intelligence Platforms at Recorded Future. He is charged with driving forward a unified impact from the company’s premiere cyber threat intelligence platform for global governments and corporations, and with gathering together an intelligence council of practitioner advisors collectively interested in a safer digital world.
Prior to Recorded Future, Geoff Brown was Chief Information Security Officer for the City of New York between 2016 and 2022, a position focused on cybersecurity and aggregate information risk across all 100+ NYC departments and agencies. In July 2017, Mayor de Blasio established New York City Cyber Command, an agency led by Geoff, reporting to City Hall, and charged with consolidating and leading the City’s enterprise cybersecurity strategy, inclusive of building NYC Cyber Command itself, and through this new agency setting Citywide cybersecurity policies; directing response to cyber incidents; rationalizing the City’s cybersecurity spend and cyber defense technology footprint, and advising City Hall, agencies and departments on the City's overall cyber defense.
Geoff Brown is the Vice President of Global Intelligence Platforms at Recorded Future. He is charged with driving forward a unified impact from the company’s premiere cyber threat intelligence platform for global governments and corporations, and with gathering together an intelligence council of practitioner advisors collectively interested in a safer digital world.
Prior to Recorded Future, Geoff Brown was Chief Information Security Officer for the City of New York between 2016 and 2022, a position focused on cybersecurity and aggregate information risk across all 100+ NYC departments and agencies. In July 2017, Mayor de Blasio established New York City Cyber Command, an agency led by Geoff, reporting to City Hall, and charged with consolidating and leading the City’s enterprise cybersecurity strategy, inclusive of building NYC Cyber Command itself, and through this new agency setting Citywide cybersecurity policies; directing response to cyber incidents; rationalizing the City’s cybersecurity spend and cyber defense technology footprint, and advising City Hall, agencies and departments on the City's overall cyber defense.
Dave Venable
Board of Directors, Senior Cybersecurity Fellow, Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure
Dave Venable is an experienced Chief Information Security Officer, author, mentor, public speaker, educator, patent holder, board member, and former intelligence professional with over two decades of experience in information security and risk management in both public and private sectors. In addition to providing security consulting to Global 500 companies, Venable has developed and managed several U.S. national-level projects to support global anti-terrorism operations and the Global War on Terror. He has taught cybersecurity and cryptography courses at Southern Methodist University and the National Cryptologic School.
Venable is a regular keynote speaker and author on information security, and has been recognized with several awards from the U.S. Air Force and the National Security Agency. He was named one of the most influential people in cyber security by Security Magazine.
Dave Venable is an experienced Chief Information Security Officer, author, mentor, public speaker, educator, patent holder, board member, and former intelligence professional with over two decades of experience in information security and risk management in both public and private sectors. In addition to providing security consulting to Global 500 companies, Venable has developed and managed several U.S. national-level projects to support global anti-terrorism operations and the Global War on Terror. He has taught cybersecurity and cryptography courses at Southern Methodist University and the National Cryptologic School.
Venable is a regular keynote speaker and author on information security, and has been recognized with several awards from the U.S. Air Force and the National Security Agency. He was named one of the most influential people in cyber security by Security Magazine.
Frank Cilluffo
Director of McCrary Institute for Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security, Auburn University
Frank J. Cilluffo serves as Director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security. He has decades of national and homeland security experience derived from working inside and outside government including serving as a Special Assistant for Homeland Security to President Bush in the White House, immediately following the 9/11 attacks on the US. He recently served as a commissioner on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and chaired a handful of committees for the Homeland Security Advisory Council on economic security, cybersecurity and counterterrorism. He has testified before Congress dozens of times and has published extensively in major media.
Frank J. Cilluffo serves as Director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber & Critical Infrastructure Security. He has decades of national and homeland security experience derived from working inside and outside government including serving as a Special Assistant for Homeland Security to President Bush in the White House, immediately following the 9/11 attacks on the US. He recently served as a commissioner on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission and chaired a handful of committees for the Homeland Security Advisory Council on economic security, cybersecurity and counterterrorism. He has testified before Congress dozens of times and has published extensively in major media.
bottom of page