Brian Lord (cyber security expert)

Brian Lord OBE (born December 1965) is the former deputy director for intelligence and cyber operations at the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, England. As of 2020 he is CEO at Protection Group International, an international consultancy specialising in helping organisations build digital resilience.

Brian Lord
BornDecember 1965
Bradford
EducationBradford Grammar School

Early life

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Brian Lord was born in Bradford in December 1965,[1] he is the son of a computer programmer and a teacher of mathematics and was educated at Bradford Grammar School (1972-1984).

Career

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Lord worked for GCHQ for 21 years before leaving as deputy director for intelligence and cyber operations. He was awarded the OBE in the 2005 New Year Honours.[2][3] In September 2013, he joined PGI Protection Group International, a consultancy specialising in cyber security and risk consulting, where he held the role of managing director, cyber and he is now CEO.[4] He has been described by The Telegraph as a "leading thinker in the sector of cyber warfare".[5]

In October 2017, Lord was cleared of a charge of sexual assault at Gloucester Crown Court after prosecutors did not present any evidence, but did plead guilty to common assault after placing his hand on a woman's knee for 2 – 3 minutes at a party in 2016.[5][6] He is believed to be the first person in British legal history to be charged with common assault with the particulars being "Assault by touching [the defendant] on her knee."[7] According to his lawyer, three judges had questioned whether it was in the public interest to continue with the case in view of its "minor nature".[8]

References

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  1. ^ Brian R Lord England and Wales Birth Registration Index. Family Search. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Order of the British Empire", The Times, 31 December 2004, p. 69. The Times Digital Archive. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ^ The London Gazette, 31 December 2004, Supplement No. 1, N24.
  4. ^ Our Team. Archived 2017-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Protection Group International. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b Former GCHQ chief fined after admitting assault during 'sexualised' game at dinner party. Harry Yorke, The Telegraph, 4 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  6. ^ Ex-GCHQ boss Brian Lord admits Truth or Dare assault. BBC News, 4 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  7. ^ Former GCHQ director Brian Lord cleared of sex assault. Neil Johnston, The Times, 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017. (subscription required)
  8. ^ Former deputy director of GCHQ fined for assault in 'racy party game'. John Hawkins, GloucestershireLive, 4 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
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