Biography
GEN (Ret) Keith Alexander is a four-star general with a 40-year military career, culminating in the role of 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. While serving as the NSA Director, he was appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress to be the first Commander to establish and lead the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM). He held this role from 2010-2014, establishing and defining how our nation is protected against cyber-attacks.
As Commander, USCYBERCOM, General Alexander was responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting operations, as well as the defense of the nation from cyber threats. As the 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 the Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army; Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA; and the Director of Intelligence, United States Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, FL; the Deputy Director for Requirements, Capabilities, Assessments and Doctrine, J-2, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Commander, 525th MI Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps.
GEN Alexander is on the Board of Directors at Amazon. He is also the Chairman of Vigilant Sec and the Chairman of DefensePrime. While serving as a member of the President’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, General Alexander developed key recommendations to create a defensible national cyber architecture to protect national security by promoting rapid innovation and close public-private collaboration while preserving privacy and civil liberties.
In 2019, General Alexander received the 35th Oliver Baker Award from the Intelligence and National Security Affairs organization who recognizes extraordinary contributions to the Intelligence and national security affairs of the United States. General Alexander is 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 an MS in Business Administration from Boston University; an MS in Electronic Warfare Systems Technology (EE) and an MS in Physics from the Naval Post Graduate School; and an MS in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.
His military awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal and 19 other medals.