Megan Stifel is the Chief Operating Officer for the Institute for Security and Technology, where she leads the organization’s operational systems, financial health, and strategic growth to maximize impact and ensure sustainability. She previously led IST’s cyber-related work, including serving as the Executive Director of the Ransomware Task Force to drive the expansion of its national and international footprint to directly shape anti-ransomware legislation and policy. She was also IST’s first Chief Strategy Officer, during which time she helped steer progress on its long-term goals and growth.
Megan is the founder of Silicon Harbor Consultants, which provides strategic cybersecurity operations and policy counsel. Prior to founding Silicon Harbor Consultants, she was an attorney in the National Security Division (NSD) at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Prior to joining IST, Megan served as Global Policy Officer and Capacity and Resilience Program Director at the Global Cyber Alliance. She was previously the Cybersecurity Program Director at Public Knowledge.
While at DOJ, Megan was detailed as a Director for International Cyber Policy in the National Security Council at the White House. In this role she developed and implemented policies in connection with Internet governance, cybersecurity, and cybercrime. In particular, Megan developed and coordinated the interagency process culminating in the U.S. government’s March 2014 announcement regarding the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, developed the first ever interagency international cyber capacity building data call, supported the government’s response to the unauthorized disclosures of intelligence programs, and participated in multiple bilateral and multilateral engagements. She also contributed regularly to information sharing, privacy, and critical infrastructure protection policy development.
Prior to the White House, Megan worked at the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). At CCIPS she collaborated with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute computer crime cases, including identity theft, network intrusion, and malware distribution.
Megan previously served as the Director for Cyber Policy at NSD, where she coordinated the Division’s policy and legal analysis in connection with the 2009 Cyberspace Policy Review (CSPR) and the 2008 Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, cyber-related legislative proposals, cybersecurity investigations, cyber operations, and the telecommunications supply chain. She was a member of the interagency group that developed the 2011 International Strategy for Cyberspace and the CSPR. Upon joining the DOJ in 2006, Megan initially prepared applications under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and provided legal and policy guidance to the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.
Prior to DOJ, Megan was an associate at Sutherland. She counseled clients on compliance with sanctions programs, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, anti-boycott laws, and foreign investment review. As a law student, she served as a legal intern for DOJ’s Office of Intelligence Policy and Review (now the Office of Intelligence). Prior to law school Megan worked on Capitol Hill, including two years with the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She received her Juris Doctorate from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and German.
