Mike McConnell former NSA Director, speaks at National Cyber Summit in Huntsville aka "Pentagon of the South"
Former NSA Director, Mike McConnell speaks with Matt Morris and Nick Thomas from InfoSecSync about the security issues before the nation. With McConnell’s long history serving in the intelligence community he brings a clear insight on issue that face the nation. We face multiple security challenges from state actors and sub-state groups, all taking advantage of rapid technological change. Future conflicts will come and take place in a more than ever in a technically challenging battlefield. Polices, strategies and legislation all play a part in preparing us for the every changing cyber landscape.
Speaker Bio
Mike McConnell
Mike McConnell is a retired Vice Admiral, USN and former Vice Chairman of Booz Allen Hamilton. After retiring from the US Navy in 1996, Mr. McConnell joined Booz Allen, to lead development of the firm’s Information Assurance and Intelligence business. In 2007, he left Booz Allen to serve as the second US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position of cabinet rank, and a member of the White House National Security council for two years, under Presidents Bush and Obama. In 2009, Mr. McConnell returned to Booz Allen as an executive vice president, Intelligence business, and in 2011 was elevated to the position of Vice Chairman. Mr. McConnell’s career has spanned over 50 years focused on international and foreign intelligence issues. His 29-year career as a US Navy intelligence officer included significant assignments that impacted national security. During Operation Desert Strom and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, Mr. McConnell served as the Intelligence Officer for the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, and the Security of Defense, Dick Cheney. From 1992 to 1996 he served for the Director of the National Security Agency (DIRNSA) under Presidents George H.W. Bush and William J. Clinton.
Since retirement for Booz Allen in 2014, Mr. McConnell has served on numerous Boards of Directors or Advisors to include current Chairman of Board the Board of the Advisors to Florida’s State-wide Academic Cyber Security Center of Excellence and serving on the US based Board of Directors of Nokia. He has been awarded many of the nation’s highest military awards for meritorious service, twice received the nation’s highest award as the Chairman and CEO of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INS). Mr. McConnell hold an M.P.A. degree from George Washington University, is a graduate of the National Defense University (Global Telcom), the National Defense Intelligence College (Strategic Intelligence), hand holds a B.A. degree in Economics from Furman University. In addition to being a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Mr. McConnell has also been awarded three Honorary Doctorate degrees – the most recent form George Washington University in 2008.