Dr. Allan Friedman

 

Dr. Allan Friedman is a recognized leader in software and technology supply chain risk, helping organizations understand what’s inside the systems they build, buy, and depend on. As a Principal at TPO Group, he advises enterprises, governments, and technology leaders on strengthening trust, resilience, and accountability across complex digital ecosystems.

 

Friedman is widely known for leading the global Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) effort. He served as Senior Advisor and Strategist at CISA where he built and managed international initiatives to improve software assurance, vulnerability management, and supply-chain transparency. Previously, he was Director of Cybersecurity Initiatives at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), where he drove pioneering work on SBOM, vulnerability disclosure, and other foundational cybersecurity standards. His work has directly influenced regulatory policy, procurement practices, and industry adoption worldwide.

 

Earlier in his career, Friedman spent over a decade as a scholar and practitioner at Harvard’s Computer Science department, the Brookings Institution, and George Washington University’s Engineering School, focusing at the intersection of technology, security, and economics. He is the co-author of the popular text “Cybersecurity and Cyberwar: What Everyone Needs to Know,” has a C.S. degree from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.