The National Security Agency (NSA) announced that Rob Joyce, the agency’s director of cybersecurity and the deputy national manager for national security systems, will retire on March 31 after 34 years of service with the NSA.
Joyce stepped in as director of the Cybersecurity Directorate (CSD) in 2021, where he has helped lead the CSD in its mission to prevent and eradicate threats to U.S. national security systems.
He took over the NSA’s top cyber position from Anne Neuberger after President Biden tapped her to serve as the White House’s deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technologies.
“Rob’s leadership of the agency’s critical cybersecurity mission has been exemplary,” NSA Director General Timothy Haugh said in a Feb. 20 press release. “His vision and development of the CSD team and its capacities ensures that NSA’s cybersecurity mission is healthy and will continue to be successful in protecting our allies and national systems well into the future.”
David Luber, the deputy director of the CSD, will succeed Joyce after his retirement. Previously, Luber served as executive director for the U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).
As for Joyce, he previously served as the NSA’s top cryptologic representative in the United Kingdom as a senior U.S. liaison officer in London.
Joyce has worked at NSA since 1989, holding various leadership positions including as the agency’s senior adviser for cybersecurity strategy. He also served as the chief of Tailored Access Operations (TAO) – the organization that executes the foreign intelligence mission through hacking activities – from 2013 to 2017.
Joyce has also held positions on the National Security Council, serving as the special assistant to the president and cybersecurity coordinator at the White House from March 2017 to May 2018, including time as the acting deputy homeland security advisor and acting homeland security advisor.
“I am honored to have served for over 34 years at the National Security Agency,” Joyce said. “It has been a privilege to lead the nation’s most talented and dedicated team of cybersecurity professionals. Making a difference in the security of the nation is truly an honor.”
