Eric O'Neill

Eric O'Neill

Keynote Speaker: National Security & Cybersecurity Expert; Former FBI Counterintelligence Operative; Author of "Gray Day"; Founder of The Georgetown Group

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $20,000 - $30,000
    Virtual Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
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Eric O'Neill Biography

Eric O'Neill is a former FBI counterintelligence and counterterrorism operative, attorney, and cybersecurity expert recognized for his work in national security. O'Neill began his FBI career as a "Ghost," an undercover field operative responsible for surveilling and monitoring foreign, national, and domestic terrorists and spies. He later transitioned to direct undercover assignments, engaging targets to gather critical information for espionage investigations.

O'Neill played a key role in the capture of Robert Hanssen, one of the most notorious spies in American history, who provided classified information to the Soviet Union and Russia. During the Hanssen investigation, O'Neill worked undercover within the FBI's Information Assurance Division, which safeguards classified FBI intelligence. He retrieved Hanssen's Palm Pilot, which contained evidence essential for Hanssen's arrest and conviction. These events inspired the dramatic thriller "Breach," which depicts the security breach case.

After his FBI service, O'Neill pursued a career in law and private security. He served as a senior associate in the Government Contracts Group at DLA Piper US LLP, general counsel of Global Communities, and co-founded The Georgetown Group and the Schiltron Group. An honors graduate of Auburn University and The George Washington University School of Law, O'Neill established The Georgetown Group, an investigative and security consultancy in Washington, D.C., specializing in counterintelligence operations, economic espionage, cybersecurity, AI-driven threats, and security risk assessment. He also founded Nexasure AI, a cybersecurity advisory firm focused on bridging business and technology.

O'Neill is the author of "Gray Day," a memoir, and "Spies, Lies and Cybercrime," a national bestseller on cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention. He is featured in episode 4 of Smithsonian Channel's series "Spy Wars." O'Neill has shared his expertise in national media, including appearances on "20/20," "Nightline," "Hardball with Chris Matthews," CNN, C-SPAN's "Washington Journal," and NPR's "Fresh Air with Terry Gross."

As a keynote speaker, O'Neill addresses topics such as espionage, national security, cybersecurity, fraud, corporate diligence, hacking, AI-generated deepfakes, ransomware, and dark web criminal networks. His clients include Acronis, AT&T, Dell, FedEx, Honeywell, McKinsey, Salesforce, and global associations.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Eric O'Neill and other top speakers and celebrities.

Eric O'Neill Speaking Topics

Leadership Under Pressure

What You Can Learn from Spies, James Bond & Jason Bourne?

What separates extraordinary leaders from everyone else? It isn’t luck. It isn’t perfect planning. And it certainly isn’t having all the answers.

Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill knows what it’s like to make life-changing decisions under extraordinary pressure. Tasked with helping expose Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in FBI history, Eric was thrust into an assignment he wasn’t trained for, against an adversary who had defeated the FBI for more than two decades. In this highly interactive masterclass, Eric combines gripping stories from the front lines of espionage with practical leadership lessons that every executive, entrepreneur, and professional can apply immediately. Through live audience polling, decision-making exercises, and real- world case studies, participants will discover how elite intelligence professionals assess risk, respond to uncertainty, recover from failure, and lead when the stakes are highest.

Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, or navigating your own pivotal career decisions, you’ll leave with a proven framework for making better decisions under pressure and inspiring others to do the same.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Recognize opportunities before they disappear.
  • Make confident decisions without waiting for perfect information.
  • Turn setbacks and unexpected challenges into competitive advantages.
  • Invest time where it creates the greatest impact.
  • Build momentum through small wins when the odds seem stacked against them.
  • Take ownership of decisions and lead with courage and accountability.
  • The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

Cybersecurity: Spies, Lies, Cybercrime, and You

Dive headfirst into the battleground where foreign spies, deepfakes, and Dark Web criminals conspire to steal from you. Today’s adversaries are relentless and cunning. They’re exploiting every vulnerability, deploying an arsenal of generative AI bots and bandits. As we hurtle towards the future, cybertheft will take over $20 trillion USD from organizations just like yours. Join cybersecurity expert and legendary FBI spy hunter Eric O’Neill in this unexpected presentation. With fresh stories that read like a thriller, Eric teaches you to think like a spy catcher and win.

Objectives:

  • Understand why cybercrime is the fastest growing business on earth
  • Understand the connection between espionage and dark web cybercrime
  • Learn counterintelligence techniques to protect yourself and your company from cybercrime
  • Learn to think like a spy hunter

What separates Extraordinary Leaders From Everyone Else?

It isn’t luck. It isn’t perfect planning. And it certainly isn’t having all the answers.

Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill knows what it’s like to make life changing decisions under extraordinary pressure. Tasked with helping expose Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in FBI history, Eric was thrust into an assignment he wasn’t trained for, against an adversary who had defeated the FBI for more than two decades.

In this highly interactive masterclass, Eric combines gripping stories from the front lines of espionage with practical leadership lessons that every executive, entrepreneur, and professional can apply immediately. Through live audience polling, decision making exercises, and real world case studies, participants will discover how elite intelligence professionals assess risk, respond to uncertainty, recover from failure, and lead when the stakes are highest.

Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, or navigating your own pivotal career decisions, you’ll leave with a proven framework for making better decisions under pressure and inspiring others to do the same.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Recognize opportunities before they disappear.
  • Make confident decisions without waiting for perfect information.
  • Turn setbacks and unexpected challenges into competitive advantages.
  • Invest time where it creates the greatest impact.
  • Build momentum through small wins when the odds seem stacked against them.
  • Take ownership of decisions and lead with courage and accountability.

The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

Secrets from a Legendary Spyhunter: Decoding AI Deepfakes, Extortion & More

AI-generated voices, texts, and images pose a grave threat to national security—and to you. The latest jaw-dropping stories include kidnapping calls to parents who hear their child’s wrenching cries for help. Elaborate video conferences that dupe teams into funding projects by bad actors. Ransomware from cyber-extortionists who hold your data hostage. In a world where technology drives our lives, you must take new steps to protect yourself and your organization. With his characteristic wit and storytelling, cybersecurity expert and legendary spyhunter Eric O’Neill tells you how to identify AI-fueled attacks…and stop them from taking your money.

Objectives:

  • Understand how Generative AI has allowed cybercriminals to scale operations and improve attacks
  • Understand how cybercriminals use deepfakes to deceive victims
  • Learn how new advances in AI will change security
  • Learn what you can do to protect yourself from deepfake cyber attacks

Data Is the Currency Of Our Lives: This Is How to Protect Yours

Eric O'Neill Videos

Curator's Corner: Robert Hanssen - An Inside View with Eric O'Neill
Acronis Global Cyber Summit 2019
Gray Day With Eric O'Neill

How do I book Eric O'Neill to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Eric O'Neill for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Eric O'Neill, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Eric O'Neill or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Eric O'Neill for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Eric O'Neill, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Eric O'Neill are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Eric O'Neill, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Eric O'Neill speak about?

Eric O'Neill is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Cybersecurity, Security & Defense, Technology, Computer Science, Futurism, Government, Ethics & Integrity and Data.

Where does Eric O'Neill travel from?

Eric O'Neill generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Eric O'Neill?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Eric O'Neill for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Eric O'Neill for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Eric O'Neill or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Eric O'Neill is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Cybersecurity, Security & Defense and Technology. The estimated speaking fee range to book Eric O'Neill for live events is $20,000 - $30,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Eric O'Neill generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Rachel Wilson, Nicole Perlroth and Tyler Cohen Wood. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Eric O'Neill for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 31/08/2026.

Eric O'Neill Speaking Topics

  • Leadership Under Pressure

    What You Can Learn from Spies, James Bond & Jason Bourne?

    What separates extraordinary leaders from everyone else? It isn’t luck. It isn’t perfect planning. And it certainly isn’t having all the answers.

    Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill knows what it’s like to make life-changing decisions under extraordinary pressure. Tasked with helping expose Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in FBI history, Eric was thrust into an assignment he wasn’t trained for, against an adversary who had defeated the FBI for more than two decades. In this highly interactive masterclass, Eric combines gripping stories from the front lines of espionage with practical leadership lessons that every executive, entrepreneur, and professional can apply immediately. Through live audience polling, decision-making exercises, and real- world case studies, participants will discover how elite intelligence professionals assess risk, respond to uncertainty, recover from failure, and lead when the stakes are highest.

    Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, or navigating your own pivotal career decisions, you’ll leave with a proven framework for making better decisions under pressure and inspiring others to do the same.

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Recognize opportunities before they disappear.
    • Make confident decisions without waiting for perfect information.
    • Turn setbacks and unexpected challenges into competitive advantages.
    • Invest time where it creates the greatest impact.
    • Build momentum through small wins when the odds seem stacked against them.
    • Take ownership of decisions and lead with courage and accountability.
    • The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

    The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

  • Cybersecurity: Spies, Lies, Cybercrime, and You

    Dive headfirst into the battleground where foreign spies, deepfakes, and Dark Web criminals conspire to steal from you. Today’s adversaries are relentless and cunning. They’re exploiting every vulnerability, deploying an arsenal of generative AI bots and bandits. As we hurtle towards the future, cybertheft will take over $20 trillion USD from organizations just like yours. Join cybersecurity expert and legendary FBI spy hunter Eric O’Neill in this unexpected presentation. With fresh stories that read like a thriller, Eric teaches you to think like a spy catcher and win.

    Objectives:

    • Understand why cybercrime is the fastest growing business on earth
    • Understand the connection between espionage and dark web cybercrime
    • Learn counterintelligence techniques to protect yourself and your company from cybercrime
    • Learn to think like a spy hunter

  • What separates Extraordinary Leaders From Everyone Else?

    It isn’t luck. It isn’t perfect planning. And it certainly isn’t having all the answers.

    Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O’Neill knows what it’s like to make life changing decisions under extraordinary pressure. Tasked with helping expose Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in FBI history, Eric was thrust into an assignment he wasn’t trained for, against an adversary who had defeated the FBI for more than two decades.

    In this highly interactive masterclass, Eric combines gripping stories from the front lines of espionage with practical leadership lessons that every executive, entrepreneur, and professional can apply immediately. Through live audience polling, decision making exercises, and real world case studies, participants will discover how elite intelligence professionals assess risk, respond to uncertainty, recover from failure, and lead when the stakes are highest.

    Whether you’re leading an organization, building a business, or navigating your own pivotal career decisions, you’ll leave with a proven framework for making better decisions under pressure and inspiring others to do the same.

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Recognize opportunities before they disappear.
    • Make confident decisions without waiting for perfect information.
    • Turn setbacks and unexpected challenges into competitive advantages.
    • Invest time where it creates the greatest impact.
    • Build momentum through small wins when the odds seem stacked against them.
    • Take ownership of decisions and lead with courage and accountability.

    The greatest lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom. Sometimes they come from the hunt for a spy.

  • Secrets from a Legendary Spyhunter: Decoding AI Deepfakes, Extortion & More

    AI-generated voices, texts, and images pose a grave threat to national security—and to you. The latest jaw-dropping stories include kidnapping calls to parents who hear their child’s wrenching cries for help. Elaborate video conferences that dupe teams into funding projects by bad actors. Ransomware from cyber-extortionists who hold your data hostage. In a world where technology drives our lives, you must take new steps to protect yourself and your organization. With his characteristic wit and storytelling, cybersecurity expert and legendary spyhunter Eric O’Neill tells you how to identify AI-fueled attacks…and stop them from taking your money.

    Objectives:

    • Understand how Generative AI has allowed cybercriminals to scale operations and improve attacks
    • Understand how cybercriminals use deepfakes to deceive victims
    • Learn how new advances in AI will change security
    • Learn what you can do to protect yourself from deepfake cyber attacks

  • Data Is the Currency Of Our Lives: This Is How to Protect Yours

Eric O'Neill Videos

Curator's Corner: Robert Hanssen - An Inside View with Eric O'Neill
Acronis Global Cyber Summit 2019
Gray Day With Eric O'Neill

Eric O'Neill Reviews

  • Eric was a dynamic speaker and was amiable and approachable to all attendees!
    Fifth Third Bank - Feb 28 2025

  • Southern California Edison - May 03 2021

  • How do I book Eric O'Neill to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Eric O'Neill for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Eric O'Neill, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Eric O'Neill or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Eric O'Neill for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Eric O'Neill, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Eric O'Neill are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Eric O'Neill, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Eric O'Neill speak about?

    Eric O'Neill is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Cybersecurity, Security & Defense, Technology, Computer Science, Futurism, Government, Ethics & Integrity and Data.
  • Where does Eric O'Neill travel from?

    Eric O'Neill generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Eric O'Neill?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Eric O'Neill for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Eric O'Neill for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Eric O'Neill or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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