Suzanne Spaulding is an American national security expert renowned for her work in cybersecurity policy and critical infrastructure protection. She served as Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2013 to 2017 during the Obama administration, where she led initiatives to defend U.S. infrastructure against cyber threats, natural disasters, and other risks. Prior to this, Spaulding held key roles in intelligence and policy, including as legal adviser to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and chief counsel to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Her early career included positions in the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and as a trial attorney in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. Her expertise spans over four decades in government service, focusing on intelligence oversight, privacy, and civil liberties in the context of national security. She has contributed to major legislative efforts, such as the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. After leaving DHS, she joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as a senior adviser on cybersecurity and has served on various boards, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's (CISA) advisory council. Spaulding is a frequent speaker and author on emerging cyber risks, emphasizing the need for public-private partnerships to counter state-sponsored attacks and election interference. Throughout her career, Spaulding has been recognized for bridging technical cybersecurity issues with policy and legal frameworks, earning accolades such as the DHS Secretary's Award for Excellence. She continues to influence U.S. strategy on digital threats amid evolving geopolitical challenges.