Brett Leatherman

Brett Leatherman
Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Division
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 2025
Preceded byBryan Vorndran

Brett Leatherman is an American law enforcement official who serves as Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Cyber Division.[1][2][3] He previously served as Deputy Assistant Director for Cyber Operations and director of the FBI-led National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF).[4]

Career

Leatherman has held investigative and leadership roles in FBI field offices and at headquarters. Within FBI Cyber Division, he served as Section Chief for national security cyber operations before being promoted to Deputy Assistant Director for Cyber Operations and director of the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF).[4] He became head of the Cyber Division in June 2025, succeeding Bryan Vorndran.[1][5][2][3]

Roles and responsibilities

As Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, Leatherman oversees domestic cyber investigations and interagency coordination through the National Cyber Investigative Joint Task Force (NCIJTF). In his role, he is responsible for several multi-agency efforts addressing state-sponsored intrusion sets and criminal groups.[6][7]

Operations and initiatives

In February 2024, he gave a press conference announcing an international operation that disrupted the LockBit ransomware enterprise while serving as Deputy Assistant Director.[8]

In 2025, he led FBI public communications related to “Salt Typhoon,” a China-linked cyber-espionage campaign targeting global telecommunications providers. A joint advisory and subsequent reporting described impacts spanning more than 80 countries and notifications to hundreds of U.S. entities.[9][10][11][12]

Leatherman has also discussed law-enforcement efforts against the cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider, including investigative progress and charging strategies in interviews during the RSA Conference in 2024.[13]

Public engagement

Leatherman has appeared in interviews and at public forums discussing cyber threats and law-enforcement responses, including the Lawfare Podcast and conferences such as the Aspen Cyber Summit, Boston College Conference on Cybersecurity, Fordham University’s International Conference on Cyber Security, and RSA Conference.[14][15][16][17][18][19] He was also featured on a 2024 episode of the Lawfare Podcast and media interviews during RSA Conference 2024 to discuss investigations into Scattered Spider.[20][21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b DiMolfetta, David (June 9, 2025). "FBI's Brett Leatherman to take lead of bureau's cyber division". Nextgov/FCW. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Brett Leatherman Named Assistant Director of FBI's Cyber Division". Homeland Security Today. June 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "FBI Taps Leatherman to Lead Cyber Division". MeriTalk. June 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Johnson, Derek B. (June 9, 2025). "FBI veteran Brett Leatherman to lead Cyber division". CyberScoop. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  5. ^ "Brett Leatherman to follow Bryan Vorndran as head of FBI Cyber Division". Recorded Future News (The Record). June 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  6. ^ "FBI warns Chinese hacking campaign has expanded, reaching 80 countries". The Washington Post. August 27, 2025. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  7. ^ Johnson, Derek B. (June 9, 2025). "FBI veteran Brett Leatherman to lead Cyber division". CyberScoop. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ^ "FBI Cyber Deputy Assistant Director Brett Leatherman's Remarks at Press Conference Announcing the Disruption of the LockBit Ransomware Group". fbi.gov. February 20, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "FBI video statement on Salt Typhoon advisory". fbi.gov. August 27, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  10. ^ "FBI warns Chinese hacking campaign has expanded, reaching 80 countries". The Washington Post. August 27, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "Top FBI cyber official: Salt Typhoon 'largely contained' in telecom networks". CyberScoop. July 2, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  12. ^ "Chinese Spies Hit More Than 80 Countries in 'Salt Typhoon' Breach, FBI Reveals". The Wall Street Journal. August 27, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  13. ^ Siddiqui, Zeba (May 10, 2024). "FBI working towards nabbing Scattered Spider hackers, official says". Reuters. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "The Lawfare Podcast: How the FBI is Combating Cyberattacks, with Brett Leatherman". Lawfare Media. March 28, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  15. ^ "Aspen Cyber Summit — 2025 Speakers: Brett Leatherman". Aspen Cyber Summit. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  16. ^ "Boston Conference on Cyber Security — Speaker Bios". Boston College Law School. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "International Conference on Cyber Security — Speakers & Panelists". Fordham University. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  18. ^ "RSA Conference — Expert profile: Brett Leatherman". RSA Conference. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  19. ^ "AI has leveled the field between cybercriminals and nation-state hackers, FBI official says". Nextgov/FCW. October 30, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  20. ^ "The Lawfare Podcast: How the FBI is Combating Cyberattacks, with Brett Leatherman". Lawfare Media. March 28, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  21. ^ Siddiqui, Zeba (May 10, 2024). "FBI working towards nabbing Scattered Spider hackers, official says". Reuters. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
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