Eric O'Neill

Eric Michael O'Neill is a national security attorney, corporate investigator, national cybersecurity strategist, and legendary FBI operative. 

Eric’s career began in the FBI’s counterintelligence trenches as an undercover operative. His undercover work brought down Robert Hanssen, the most notorious and damaging spy in United States history. 

After serving in the FBI, Eric earned his Juris Doctor degree from The George Washington University Law School, with honors. He has since worked as a national security attorney and corporate investigator at top firms like DLA Piper.

Eric is the founder of The Georgetown Group, a premier security services firm, and he serves as a national security strategist to cybersecurity companies, including CyberSponse, Inc., NeXasure, and VMware Carbon Black.

He has also held senior positions, including General Counsel and Chief Ethics Officer for Global Communities.

Eric has also been a prominent public speaker and cybersecurity strategist, inspiring audiences to protect themselves and giving them actionable tools to do so. 

Eric is also a media commentator. He and his work have been covered by CNN, C-Span, Fox, NPR, Newsweek, TechCrunch, “Fresh Air with Terry Gross,” World News Now, Access Hollywood, and more.

Eric’s story was recreated by Hollywood with Universal Pictures’ critically acclaimed movie Breach, starring Ryan Philippe as Eric O’Neill and Chris Cooper as Robert Hanssen.

He has also personally appeared on numerous series, including FBI True, America’s Book of Secrets, and Spy Wars with Damian Lewis. 

Eric is also the author of "Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America's First Cyber Spy”. His upcoming book, "The Invisible Threat," is set to be published in 2025.

Eric Michael O'Neill, born on March 3, 1973, is a former FBI counter-terrorism and counterintelligence operative whose work has had a profound impact on national security and corporate security. With a career spanning over two decades in law enforcement, legal practice, and private-sector security, Eric is best known for his role as an FBI counter-terrorism and counterintelligence operative. His work was crucial in the investigation and capture of Robert Hanssen, a former FBI agent who was one of the most damaging spies in U.S. history.

Eric grew up in Washington, D.C., where he attended Gonzaga College High School and graduated in 1991. He then pursued higher education at Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in political science and psychology in 1995. During his time at Auburn, he was a member of the Theta Xi fraternity.

His professional career began with the FBI, where he served as an Investigative Specialist with the Special Surveillance Group (SSG). Eric’s most notable achievement was his role in the investigation of Robert Hanssen, who was spying for the Soviet Union and Russia. In February 2001, he was assigned to work undercover in the newly formed Information Assurance Section, tasked with protecting classified FBI intelligence.

Eric’s mission involved gaining Hanssen's trust and gathering information about the extent of his espionage. A critical moment in the investigation was when O'Neill successfully obtained Hanssen’s Palm Pilot, which contained encrypted data. This action was pivotal in obtaining evidence that led to Hanssen's arrest on February 18, 2001, at Foxstone Park near his home in Vienna, Virginia. Hanssen was charged with selling American secrets for $1.4 million in cash and diamonds over 22 years. He was convicted on July 6, 2001, and sentenced to life in prison.

After leaving the FBI, Eric shifted his focus to law and security. He earned a Juris Doctor degree with honours from The George Washington University Law School in 2003. Following graduation, he joined DLA Piper US LLP as a Senior Associate in the Government Contracts Group. In December 2008, he transitioned to a role as General Counsel at Global Communities, a global humanitarian relief organisation formerly known as CHF International.

In February 2009, Eric co-founded The Georgetown Group, a company specialising in investigative and risk management services. Later, in July 2013, he co-founded the Schiltron Group, which focuses on supply chain assurance and critical infrastructure protection.

On March 16, 2016, Eric was appointed National Security Strategist at Carbon Black, an endpoint security company. Carbon Black was acquired by VMware on October 8, 2019, and O'Neill continued his role with the company as VMware’s National Security Strategist.

O'Neill has gained recognition as a public speaker and cybersecurity expert. He is known for his international lectures on topics such as espionage, cybersecurity, and corporate defence. His memoir, Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America's First Cyber Spy, published in the spring of 2019, details his experiences with Robert Hanssen and has been well-received for its insight into the world of espionage.

He was portrayed by Ryan Phillippe in the 2007 film Breach, which depicts his role in the Hanssen investigation. Eric has also appeared in television series including Spy Wars on the Smithsonian Channel and America's Book of Secrets on The History Channel.

Eric O'Neill continues to be active in the field of cybersecurity, offering his expertise as a speaker and consultant. His work involves educating organisations and individuals on how to protect against cyber threats and understand the evolving landscape of national security. Throughout his career, Eric has made significant contributions to both national security and cybersecurity, leveraging his extensive experience to address contemporary challenges in these fields.

Eric’s vision focuses on improving global security by blending new technology with education. He aims to close the gap between traditional spy methods and today’s cybersecurity issues. As the digital world changes quickly, Eric wants to give organisations and individuals the tools and knowledge to fight advanced cyber threats. His goal is to make cybersecurity easier to understand and apply, helping people protect their digital lives. Eric uses his background in espionage and national security to push for proactive steps against new dangers. He believes in creating a culture where people and organisations are not only aware of risks but also ready to act. He sees a future where security is a key part of technology, not just an add-on. Through his talks, books, and consulting work, Eric wants to inspire and educate others. He aims to build strong systems and informed communities, leading to a safer digital world where security and trust are part of daily life.