About the IAPP

Brett Leatherman is the FBI’s Deputy Assistant Director for Cyber Operations. In support of the FBI’s role as the lead cyber threat response agency for the United States Government, Mr. Leatherman serves as the FBI’s senior executive over the operational teams responsible for imposing cost on sophisticated criminal and state-sponsored cyber adversaries while prioritizing assistance to victims of cyber-attacks. Mr. Leatherman also serves as the Director of the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF). Established in 2008, the NCIJTF primarily serves to coordinate, integrate, and share information to support cyber investigations, supply and support intelligence analysis for decision-makers, and provide value to other ongoing interagency efforts in the fight against cyber threats to the nation. 

Prior to his current role, Mr. Leatherman served as Section Chief of National Security Cyber Operations for the FBI, where he worked extensively with the United States Intelligence Community, foreign, and private sector partners to promote a whole of government approach to addressing state-affiliated cyber threats. 

Mr. Leatherman previously held several roles in the FBI’s Dallas Division, most recently as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for National Security, where he managed teams responsible for preventing and investigating counterterrorism, counterintelligence, weapons of mass destruction, and cyber threats throughout North Texas. Also in Dallas, Mr. Leatherman served as the Senior Supervisory Resident Agent of the Frisco Resident Agency, managing criminal investigations across North Texas.

Prior to his assignment to the Dallas Division, Mr. Leatherman held several leadership roles at FBI Cyber Division. He first served as a Supervisory Special Agent in a national security threat team, and was later selected as Assistant Section Chief handling operational engagement work for the enterprise. Mr. Leatherman entered on duty as an FBI Special Agent in 2003. Prior to his first assignment at FBI Cyber Division, he served in the Cleveland and Detroit Field Offices, while also serving as an FBI pilot and hostage negotiator. Mr. Leatherman graduated from Cornerstone University with a degree in Computer Information Systems, and received a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Risk Management from Georgetown University. Mr. Leatherman holds a number of widely recognized cyber certifications and speaks internationally on emerging national security and cyber threats.