Alastair MacWillson

Career

Dr. Alastair Carmichael MacWillson is a British cybersecurity professional whose career spans government diplomacy, political risk analysis, and senior roles in the information security industry. He spent 17 years in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service, during which he worked on technical and political risk analysis in the post-Soviet states, the Middle East, and the United States.

MacWillson returned to the United Kingdom in late 1989. The following year, he published a book entitled Hostage-Taking Terrorism, drawing on his diplomatic experience and expertise in political risk.

Information Security Leadership

Following his diplomatic career, MacWillson moved into the cybersecurity sector, taking on a number of prominent institutional and advisory roles. He has served as chair of the Institute of Information Security Professionals, an organization focused on advancing the standards and recognition of the information security profession in the United Kingdom. He has also served as chair of Qufaro, an initiative associated with cybersecurity education and professional development.

MacWillson is a founding director of Cambridge Analytica, the data analytics firm that became widely known for its work in political campaigning. He has additionally served as a principal at the Chertoff Group, a global security advisory firm.

Notable Work

His 1990 publication Hostage-Taking Terrorism represents a documented contribution to the literature on political violence and security, produced in the period immediately following his service in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.