Senior adviser to businesses and governments in the UK, Europe, the US, the Middle and Far East on data and cyber issues, business resilience and geopolitical and regulatory risks. From 2014-18 he was the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser for Intelligence, Security and Resilience overseeing national risk assessment, crisis response and recovery and advising two successive British Prime Ministers on aspects of geo-politics, Cyber Security, Counter Terrorism and action by Hostile States.
In this role McGuinness led on the formulation and implementation of the UK’s 5 year National Cyber Security Strategy and Programme and work to enhance the security of Critical National Infrastructure and manage any adverse national security impacts from foreign investment and from developments in the Tech Sector. He was involved in the UK’s management of the security and safety of significant public events and crises between 2014 and 2018.
The first part of McGuinness’ public service career was in the Diplomatic Service with postings in Yemen, the UAE, Egypt and Italy. He has since been the UK’s envoy on a range of issues to do with the geo-politics of the Middle East, Counter Terrorism and National Security aspects of Data.