Draft:Michael Daniel

J. Michael Daniel is a former American government official who served as the Cybersecurity Coordinator on the United States National Security Council from June 2012 until January 2017 during the Obama administration. Michael now leads the Cyber Threat Alliance, a nonprofit organization that enables cyber threat information sharing among companies and organizations in the cybersecurity field, as its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Early life and education
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Daniel earned his Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy in 1992 from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School (now known as the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs). He then received a Master of Public Policy in National Security from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in 1995, and later in 2001, earned a Master of Science in National Resource Planning at the National Defense University Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

After graduating from Princeton in 1992, Daniel began his career as a Research Assistant at the Southern Center for International Studies, a think tank based in Atlanta. Upon receiving his Master's Degree from HKS, he joined the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as a Program Examiner in the Operations and Personnel Branch, covering the Navy, Marine Corps, and contingency operations program.

Office of Management and Budget
Prior to joining the National Security Staff, Michael served for 17 years with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). From September 2001 to June 2012, he served as Chief of the Intelligence Branch, National Security Division, in a career Senior Executive Service position. This branch oversees the Intelligence Community (IC) and other Department of Defense programs.

Within OMB, Daniel also served as an examiner in the National Security Division’s Front Office supporting the Deputy Associate Director and in the Operations branch reviewing Navy and Marine Corps operational activities and overseas military operations, including Bosnia and Kosovo. He has coordinated funding for the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, which began under the George W. Bush administration.

U.S. Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Council
Daniel was appointed as the Special Assistant to the President and Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Council in June 2012, replacing the first Cybersecurity Coordinator Howard Schmidt. Daniel served as U.S. Cybersecurity Coordinator for four years until 2017.

Daniel took part in the government's response to cyber incidents, such as the attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, the intrusion into the Office of Personnel Management, and the Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 electoral process.

President and CEO of the Cyber Threat Alliance
Michael Daniel currently serves as the CEO and President of the Cyber Threat Alliance (CTA). CTA works to enable cyber threat information sharing among companies and organizations in the cybersecurity field. Its members currently include nine cybersecurity firms, including Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cisco, and McAfee. Daniel has been with and was appointed CEO of CTA since February 2017.

Board Chairs & Memberships

 * Aspen Institute’s Cybersecurity Group (since 2018)
 * World Economic Forum Global Futures Council on Cybersecurity
 * Ransomware Task Force Working Group Co-Chairs (since 2021)
 * Forbes Technology Council Member (since 2021)
 * Atlantic Council Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web (since 2023)

Awards

 * Globee Cybersecurity CEO of the Year (2023)
 * DC's 2023 Tech Titans (2023)
 * Leadership Award from the Baldridge Foundation (2023)
 * Marquis Top Executives
 * Cybersecurity Excellence Awards - Chief Executive Officer of the Year (2023)
 * CyberScoop 50 Award for Cybersecurity Visionary (2022)
 * Homeland Security Today Mission Award (2022)

Personal life
For over 10 years, Michael has worked with a non-profit called “Hands on DC,” which works to improve public schools in Washington, D.C., and provide college scholarships for D.C. public school students.