Paul M Nakasone is a distinguished Army General with specialist cybersecurity expertise. As the longest-serving leader of the U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency/Central Security Service, Paul is one of the most respected figures in the U.S. Army. Paul's experience in technology, geopolitics and cybersecurity has been integral to American national security matters, including after 9/11 and in Iraq and Afghanistan. With an extensive understanding of disruptive technology, Paul joined the board at OpenAI as a Safety and Security Committee Member in 2024. As a speaker, Paul brings a unique perspective to leadership, security and emerging technology, making him the perfect keynote speaker for business conferences, industry events and forums.
Paul undertook a Bachelor’s degree in economics from Saint John’s University, Minnesota, in 1986, before becoming a military intelligence officer through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program. He later gained his Master's degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1989. In 2012, he served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy director for trans-regional policy, taking command of the United States Second Army in 2016. In 2018, he gained responsibility for key security organisations, becoming the Chief of the Central Security Service and the Director of the NSA. He was also a key contributor to the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command, becoming the commander that same year. For his impact and service, Paul has been awarded several army honours, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Defence Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Defence Meritorious Service Medal.
In 2024, Paul retired from his highly influential positions and began delivering fascinating keynote talks using his wealth of knowledge and experience. He recently spoke at the WORLD.MINDS meeting in Washington and at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte National Security Series. Paul is also a member of the board of trustees at Saint John's University, a Research Professor within Vanderbilt University's School of Engineering and a Founding Director of the Institute of National Security at Vanderbilt. In 2024, Paul was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dartmouth College. He additionally shares his security guidance through his writing, and published an opinion article in the Washington Post, calling for Congress to re-approve the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 2024.
With almost 40 years of experience as a four-star Army General, Paul M. Nakasone is a respected voice on leadership, technology, and security. Using his decades of service at the highest levels of U.S. national security, he offers practical insights on cyber strategy, organisational resilience and leading teams through challenges. Paul’s passion for purposeful training and creating an environment that supports retention shines through in his talks, resonating with senior leaders across a wide range of industries and contexts. To bring this renowned speaker to your next event, get in contact with Champions Speakers today!
Paul M Nakasone's official speaking topics are listed below:
Lasting Leadership Lessons from the World’s Second Oldest Profession
For nearly six years, General Paul M. Nakasone led the largest and most technically advanced component of the U.S. Intelligence Community, the National Security Agency. Decorated with the Intelligence Community’s highest award, he is an experienced, transformational leader, who succeeded in recruiting and retaining the best and brightest talent; bringing transparency and greater engagement with the private sector; and in developing broader internal and external partnerships to overcome the nation’s most challenging adversaries. Weaving real life leadership lessons learned during his own career, General Nakasone brings meaning to the hair-raising challenges he faced as a one of the Intelligence Community’s most visible leaders, and to where corporate leaders can leverage this knowledge as they work to align their teams and lead them to success.
Charting the Course of National Security in a Digital World
In this talk, General Paul M. Nakasone, former Director of the National Security Agency and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command reflects upon the challenges and opportunities the U.S. faces in today’s geopolitical environment. Leading the largest component of the U.S. Intelligence Community and the nation’s warfighting force in cyberspace for nearly six years, General Nakasone was at the center of the competition, crisis, and conflict in the cyber domain and draws from his time spent on the frontlines of cyber operations to speak to the intersection of technology and threat actors, as well as describe what he saw and did to secure America’s elections, prevent surprise, and confront cyber threats that threatened the future of our nation.
Disruptive Technologies: Examining the Challenges and Opportunities of AI and Beyond
With the rise of AI marking the most disruptive technology of the new century, former NSA Director General Paul M. Nakasone leads a compelling deep dive into AI and the other coming disruptive technologies — reflecting on their impact in the Russia-Ukraine War, election security, ransomware, and future conflict. During this talk, he highlights how important it is for leaders to understand this coming wave of change, while framing cybersecurity as a team sport and underscoring the necessity to recruit, develop, and retain talent that is up for the task of navigating AI integration in the workplace to position themselves and their companies for the future.
A Conversation with General Paul M. Nakasone
Framed for the interests of your group, this fireside chat with General Paul M. Nakasone can center on geopolitics and the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, effective leadership for critical times, intelligence and information power, or a combination of the previously mentioned topic areas. As he engages with the audience, General Nakasone offers a unique, candid, and firsthand perspective — having served at the center of national security and technology during both the Trump and Biden administrations. The stories he shares of his experiences navigating complex situations in which the integrity of our national security hung in the balance keep audience members at the edge of their seats, while reinforcing the strategies and lessons he shares.
Official Feedback From In-Person & Virtual Events:
"His session was both a compelling and timely session that resonated very well with our audience. With Gen. Nakasone’s keen sense of connecting with the audience, along with his decades of experience at the epicenter of cyber, threats, and geopolitical challenges, Gen. Nakasone brought this topic to life. And we were so appreciative of his weaving health information and technology across his remarks!" - HIMSS
"He was amazing!!!!! Very cool guy, and the team loved it. Would love to book him again next year." - Houlihan Lokey
"Wow! What an outstanding afternoon and evening. Gen. Nakasone was such a dynamic and engaging speaker. Thank you so much for assisting me with Gen. Nakasone and we look forward to seeing him again!" - University of Alabama
"I have NEVER seen members legitimately angry because an hour of conversation was ending. They couldn't get enough. He was incredible and so empowering. I can't thank LAI enough for helping us bring this to life for them!" - World 50
- 2026 - Spoke at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte National Security Series
- 2025 - Spoke at the WORLD.MINDS meeting in Washington DC
- 2024 - Joined the board of OpenAI
- 2024 - Awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Dartmouth College
- 2024 - Became a member on the board of trustees at Saint John's University
- 2024 - Research Professorship within Vanderbilt's School of Engineering
- 2024 - Founding Director of the Institute of National Security at Vanderbilt University
- 2024 - Published an opinion article in the Washington Post, calling for Congress to re-approve the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
- 2024 - Retired as Commander of U.S. Cyber Command
- 2024 Retired as Director of the NSA
- 2024 - Retired as Chief of the Central Security Service
- 2018 - Commander of U.S. Cyber Command
- 2018 - Director of the NSA
- 2018 - Chief of the Central Security Service
- 2016 - Took command of the United States Second Army
- 2012 - Served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy director for trans-regional policy
- 1989 - Systems Management Masters degree from the University of Southern California
- 1986 - Became a military intelligence officer in 1986 through the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program
- 1986 - Bacheors degree in Economics from Saint John’s University in Minnesota
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Defence Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit, Bronze Star
- Defence Meritorious Service Medal
How to hire Paul M Nakasone
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Paul M Nakasone for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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