
Glenn S. Gerstell served as the general counsel of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Central Security Service (CSS) from 2015 to 2020. He has written and spoken widely about the intersections of technology and national security and privacy. Prior to joining the NSA, Mr. Gerstell practiced law for almost 40 years at the international law firm of Milbank, LLP, where he focused on the global telecommunications industry and served as the managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C., Singapore, and Hong Kong offices. Mr. Gerstell served on the President's National Infrastructure Advisory Council, which reports to the president and the secretary of homeland security on security threats to the nation's infrastructure, as well as on the District of Columbia Homeland Security Commission. A graduate of New York University and Columbia University School of Law, Mr. Gerstell is an elected member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Earlier in his career, he was an adjunct law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center and New York Law School. He is a recipient of the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, and the NSA Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.
In the News
A Draft Of TikTok’s Plan To Avoid A Ban Gives The U.S. Government Unprecedented Oversight Power
Glenn S. Gerstell in Forbes — August 21, 2023
Cyber experts say controversial U.S. spying powers should stay — but with some revisions
Glenn S. Gerstell in The Washington Post — May 17, 2023
I Was General Counsel of the N.S.A. America Has a Problem With Secrets.
Glenn S. Gerstell in The New York Times — April 24, 2023
ByteDance is pushing a new app in the U.S. as TikTok faces a ban
Glenn S. Gerstell in CNBC — April 24, 2023
U.S. eavesdropped on U.N. secretary general, leaks reveal
Glenn S. Gerstell in The Washington Post — April 17, 2023
Leaks test western unity in fight against Putin
Glenn S. Gerstell in The Hill — April 13, 2023
Think ransomware gangs won't thrive this year? Think again, experts say
Glenn S. Gerstell in The Washington Post — March 30, 2023
TikTok wants to distance itself from China — but Beijing is getting involved
Glenn S. Gerstell in CNBC — March 24, 2023
All Glenn S. Gerstell Content
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U.S. Diplomacy and Section 702: A Conversation with Assistant Secretary of State Brett Holmgren
Event — May 30, 2023
Technology and Information Warfare: The Competition for Influence and the DOD
Congressional Testimony by Glenn S. Gerstell — April 30, 2021
Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: SolarWinds Conversation (Part 2 of 2)
Event — February 26, 2021
Balancing Electronic Intelligence with Democratic Rights of Privacy
Podcast Episode by John J. Hamre and Glenn S. Gerstell — August 11, 2020

Public Surveillance to Keep Us Healthy and Protect Our Privacy
Commentary by Glenn S. Gerstell — April 16, 2020