Robert Knake
Robert K. Knake is a leading authority on U.S. cybersecurity strategy and governance, serving as Senior Adjunct Policy Advisor at the Institute for Security and Technology, Principal of Orkestrel, and Strategic Advisor to Paladin Capital Group. He was the nation’s first Deputy National Cyber Director, where he spearheaded the National Cybersecurity Strategy and the government’s first cyber budget priorities. Previously, he served as Director for Cybersecurity Policy at the National Security Council, advising Presidents and shaping federal cyber incident response frameworks. A Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and co-author of Cyber War and The Fifth Domain, Knake is widely recognized as one of the foremost voices in global cyber policy and resilience.
Rob Knake is a nationally recognized authority on cybersecurity policy and governance, known for shaping U.S. federal strategies on cyber defense, incident response, and public-private collaboration. Over more than a decade of government service, he helped establish the Office of the National Cyber Director at the White House, authored the 2023 U.S. National Cybersecurity Strategy, and designed the first federal frameworks for cyber incident response and vulnerability disclosure. He is also a prolific author and consultant whose work has influenced both national policy and global cyber governance.
Government Leadership & National Cyber Strategy
Deputy National Cyber Director (2022–2023): As the inaugural Deputy in the newly created Office of the National Cyber Director, Knake was instrumental in building the office’s structure and mission. He oversaw the drafting of the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy and introduced the first-ever cybersecurity budget priorities for federal agencies, aligning resources with national objectives.
Director for Cybersecurity Policy, National Security Council (2011–2015): At the White House, Knake developed presidential policies on incident response and vulnerability management. He was a key architect of Executive Order 13636, which led to the creation of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. His work established formal playbooks for responding to major cyber incidents and laid the foundation for today’s critical infrastructure protection efforts.
Global Policy Influence
Internet Governance and Cyber Norms: As Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Knake advanced research on internet governance, cyber conflict, and global security norms. His 2010 report Internet Governance in an Age of Cyber Insecurity was an early call for international frameworks to address cross-border cyber threats.
Incident Learning Models: He co-authored Learning from Cyber Incidents: Adapting Aviation Safety Models to Cybersecurity at Harvard’s Belfer Center, recommending aviation-style “no-blame” approaches to cyber incident review. These ideas have shaped international conversations on building a “Cyber NTSB” model and improving transparency across sectors.
Industry Leadership & Advisory Roles
Consulting & Advisory Work: Knake leads Orkestrel, a boutique consultancy advising enterprises, investors, and governments on cyber resilience and regulatory alignment. He is also a Strategic Advisor with Paladin Capital Group, where he guides cybersecurity investment decisions, and Head of Strategy at ActZero, a managed detection and response provider.
Good Harbor Security Risk Management (2015–2017): In the private sector, Knake has advised boards and executives on cyber risk management, drawing from his White House experience to help Fortune 500 companies and critical infrastructure operators strengthen their resilience.
Thought Leadership & Publications
Books: Knake is the co-author of Cyber War: The Next Threat to National Security and What to Do About It and The Fifth Domain: Defending Our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats. Both works, written with Richard Clarke, are widely cited as foundational texts in modern cybersecurity strategy.
Policy Papers: In addition to the Belfer Center incident learning study, he co-authored Government’s Role in Vulnerability Disclosure, which proposed reforms to the vulnerability equities process, and contributed to numerous reports on cyber policy and governance.
Public Engagement: Knake has testified before Congress multiple times, briefed senior policymakers, and appeared in major media outlets as an expert voice on cyber defense and national resilience. He is also a lecturer and adjunct faculty, teaching cybersecurity policy to graduate students.
Unique Value Proposition
Rob Knake brings a rare combination of government leadership, think-tank scholarship, and private-sector consulting experience. He has designed national strategies, advised corporate boards, and influenced international policy debates. His work bridges the technical and policy domains, giving him the ability to translate complex cyber risks into actionable strategies for both executives and engineers. Organizations rely on him as a trusted thought partner to anticipate emerging threats, align with evolving regulations, and build lasting cyber resilience.