Executive Director
Dan Ennis is executive director of the University of Maryland Cyber Initiative as well as CEO of DRE Consulting. In both roles, he leverages over 36 years of U.S. government service, principally with the National Security Agency (NSA) Central Security Service. Prior to his retirement from the NSA, Ennis served as director of its Threat Operations Center (NTOC), responsible for round-the-clock cryptologic activities to detect and counter cyber threats to U.S. national security systems and other important networks, while protecting the legal rights of U.S. persons. Ennis’ career with the U.S. government began in 1979 at the Drug Enforcement Administration.
He joined NSA in 1982 and held numerous senior-level positions, primarily within the Signals Intelligence Directorate. Prior to becoming the NTOC director, Ennis served as assistant deputy director of analysis and production, providing overall management of the U.S. signals intelligence analysis and production mission. Other senior positions held included chief of NSA Tailored Access Operations, chief of Transnational Targets (counter terrorism, counter proliferation, counter intelligence, narcotics and serious crimes, and weapons and space) and chief of the Office of Russia.
