Nicholas Leiserson is the Senior Vice President for Policy at the Institute for Security and Technology (IST). A legislative strategist and technologist, he has spent 15 years addressing cybersecurity risk and resilience and managing multidisciplinary teams of senior professionals at the White House and on Capitol Hill. He was integral in the creation of the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) and served as one of its first employees where he built the infrastructure for an office that grew to over 80 people in two years.

Throughout his career, Leiserson has focused on developing policy ideas, building coalitions around them, carrying them through to execution, and conducting oversight of implementation. He has been recognized for his work leading the creation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan and developing the Biden Administration’s approach to cybersecurity regulatory harmonization. He also created and executed the House legislative strategy for the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which saw more than two dozen of the Commission’s recommendations enacted within nine months of its report being issued. Central to his success has been his ability to translate complex technology policy ideas for broader audiences, and he served as a speechwriter for principals in Congress and at the White House. 

Leiserson previously served as the Assistant National Cyber Director for Cyber Policy and Programs at ONCD. In this role, Leiserson led ONCD’s national cybersecurity policy development, including critical infrastructure protection, regulatory harmonization, cyber insurance, and software liability. His Directorate produced reports and policy proposals that influenced National Security Memoranda, Executive Orders, and legislation, including by testifying before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He earlier served as ONCD’s Deputy Chief of Staff where he built internal policies for the first new component in the Executive Office of the President in three decades and oversaw operations, including staffing and budgeting. He also served as the acting head of external affairs, coordinating the office’s engagements with Congress and the press.

Prior to joining ONCD, Leiserson spent more than a decade on the staff of former Congressman James R. Langevin (RI-02) in various roles, most recently as his Chief of Staff. During his time on Capitol Hill, Leiserson was responsible for advising the Congressman on cybersecurity issues and served as the staff lead for the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus.