General (Ret) Keith Alexander
Board of Directors, Amazon; Founder, IronNet Cybersecurity; Former Commander, U.S. Cyber Command; Former Director, National Security Agency; Former Chief, Central Security Service
General (Ret) Keith Alexander provides strategic guidance to corporate leaders on cybersecurity issues through the development of cutting-edge technology, consulting, and education. As Founder of IronNet Cybersecurity, he pioneered innovative strategies for mitigating cyber threats, significantly advancingindustry practices. His goal is to bridge communication systems between private and government sectors, fostering advanced intelligence sharing that protects the nation against cyber threats on a global stage.
General Alexander, a distinguished four-star general with an impressive 40-year military career, served as the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Chief of the Central Security Service (CSS) from 2005- 2014. He holds the distinction of serving in this role longer than any other director. During his tenure as NSA Director, Congress appointed him as the inaugural Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), a position he held from 2010 to 2014, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s defenses against cyber-attacks.
As Commander of USCYBERCOM, General Alexander spearheaded the planning, coordination, and execution of operations to defend the Department of Defense (DoD) computer networks and safeguard the nation against cyber threats. As Director of NSA, he was responsible for national foreign intelligence requirements, military combat support, and the protection of U.S. national security information systems.
Prior to leading USCYBERCOM and the NSA/CSS, General Alexander served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army; Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA; Director of Intelligence, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL.; and Deputy Director for Requirements, Capabilities, Assessments and Doctrine, J-2, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As a member of the President’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, General Alexander developed key recommendations for a robust national cyber architecture, promoting rapid innovation and public-private partnership, while preserving privacy and civil liberties.
He is the Founder of IronNet Cybersecurity, where he revolutionized the approach to mitigating cybersecurity threats through the creation of IronDefense: a patented solution that employs fine-tuned analytics to detect and alert on anomalous enterprise network behaviors. Currently, he extends his profound expertise in cybersecurity and national defense to the broader business community as a member of the Amazon board of directors.
In 2019, General Alexander received the 35th Oliver Baker Award from the Intelligence and National Security Affairs organization which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the Intelligence and national security affairs of the United States. He is also the recipient of the 2016 United States Military Academy (USMA) Distinguished Graduate Award. He holds a BS from the U.S. Military Academy, as well as an MS in Business Administration from Boston University; an MS in Systems Technology and an MS in Physics from the Naval Post Graduate School; and an MS in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University. Following the Israel-Hamas Conflict, General Alexander formed "The Coalition for the Families of the Victims and Hostages" consisting of over 27 preeminent U.S. law firms, each committed to representing a family. He aims to support the government in facilitating the safe return of hostages, achieving justice for fallen Americans, and reinforcing national security to counter the threat of terrorism within our borders.
Organizations looking to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity, enhance their strategic defenses, and gain insights from a leader who has operated at the highest levels of national security will find General Alexander’s experiences and perspectives invaluable.
General Alexander, a distinguished four-star general with an impressive 40-year military career, served as the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Chief of the Central Security Service (CSS) from 2005- 2014. He holds the distinction of serving in this role longer than any other director. During his tenure as NSA Director, Congress appointed him as the inaugural Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), a position he held from 2010 to 2014, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s defenses against cyber-attacks.
As Commander of USCYBERCOM, General Alexander spearheaded the planning, coordination, and execution of operations to defend the Department of Defense (DoD) computer networks and safeguard the nation against cyber threats. As Director of NSA, he was responsible for national foreign intelligence requirements, military combat support, and the protection of U.S. national security information systems.
Prior to leading USCYBERCOM and the NSA/CSS, General Alexander served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army; Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA; Director of Intelligence, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL.; and Deputy Director for Requirements, Capabilities, Assessments and Doctrine, J-2, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As a member of the President’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, General Alexander developed key recommendations for a robust national cyber architecture, promoting rapid innovation and public-private partnership, while preserving privacy and civil liberties.
He is the Founder of IronNet Cybersecurity, where he revolutionized the approach to mitigating cybersecurity threats through the creation of IronDefense: a patented solution that employs fine-tuned analytics to detect and alert on anomalous enterprise network behaviors. Currently, he extends his profound expertise in cybersecurity and national defense to the broader business community as a member of the Amazon board of directors.
In 2019, General Alexander received the 35th Oliver Baker Award from the Intelligence and National Security Affairs organization which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the Intelligence and national security affairs of the United States. He is also the recipient of the 2016 United States Military Academy (USMA) Distinguished Graduate Award. He holds a BS from the U.S. Military Academy, as well as an MS in Business Administration from Boston University; an MS in Systems Technology and an MS in Physics from the Naval Post Graduate School; and an MS in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University. Following the Israel-Hamas Conflict, General Alexander formed "The Coalition for the Families of the Victims and Hostages" consisting of over 27 preeminent U.S. law firms, each committed to representing a family. He aims to support the government in facilitating the safe return of hostages, achieving justice for fallen Americans, and reinforcing national security to counter the threat of terrorism within our borders.
Organizations looking to deepen their understanding of cybersecurity, enhance their strategic defenses, and gain insights from a leader who has operated at the highest levels of national security will find General Alexander’s experiences and perspectives invaluable.
General (Ret) Keith’s Sessions