Adam Savage
MythBusters Co-Host & Executive Producer | NYT Bestselling Author | Board Member, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum | Innovation & Creativity
Eric O’Neill
Cybersecurity Expert & Legendary FBI Spy Hunter | Bestselling Author of Gray Day & Spies, Lies and Cybercrime | Founder, The Georgetown Group & Nexasure AI
Few speakers can claim to have lived the stories they tell on stage. A legendary FBI operative who went undercover to catch the most notorious spy in American history, Eric O'Neill now channels that frontline experience into high-impact keynotes on cybersecurity, AI-driven threats, and the dark web economy. A bestselling author, attorney, and founder of two security firms, he equips senior audiences with the mindset and tactics of a spy hunter to defend against today's most sophisticated cyber adversaries.
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Eric O’Neill biography
Eric O’Neill is a cybersecurity expert, former FBI operative, attorney, and founder of The Georgetown Group and Nexasure AI, whose career spans the intersection of national security, counterintelligence, and the rapidly evolving world of cyber threats. His story of catching the most dangerous spy in FBI history has made him one of the most compelling voices in cybersecurity today.
Cybersecurity speaker Eric O’Neill began his career as a graduate of the FBI’s Intelligence Program, spending his first five years as a field operative in a special surveillance group tasked with monitoring foreign and domestic terrorists and spies. He soon transitioned from covert surveillance to direct undercover work with one high-stakes assignment: catch his own boss, Robert Hanssen, a 25-year veteran of the Bureau, in the act of espionage for the Russians. Working inside the FBI’s Information Assurance Division – created to protect all classified FBI intelligence – O’Neill helped bring down what is widely regarded as the most damaging security breach in United States history. Hanssen was sentenced to 15 consecutive life terms and died in a federal supermax prison in 2023 at the age of 79.
From the FBI to the Forefront of Cybersecurity
O’Neill’s undercover operation inspired the dramatic thriller Breach (2007), starring Ryan Phillippe and Chris Cooper, and is chronicled in his acclaimed memoir, Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America’s First Cyber Spy (Crown/Penguin Random House). His latest book, Spies, Lies and Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Tactics to Outsmart Hackers and Disarm Scammers (HarperCollins, October 2025), became an instant USA Today bestseller and Amazon #1 bestseller, establishing him as one of the foremost authorities on how individuals and organizations can defend against modern cyber threats.
An honors graduate of Auburn University and The George Washington University School of Law, O’Neill served as a national security strategist before founding The Georgetown Group, now a premier investigative and security consultancy in Washington, D.C. The firm specializes in counterintelligence operations, economic espionage, cybersecurity penetrations, AI-fueled attacks, and security risk assessment. He also founded Nexasure AI, an intelligence-driven cybersecurity advisory bridging the gap between business and technology.
As a speaker, Eric O’Neill delivers bespoke, edge-of-your-seat keynotes that draw on real operations and frontline experience to decode the threats organizations face today – from AI-generated deepfakes and ransomware to dark web criminal networks whose total thefts now constitute the world’s third largest economy. His client roster includes Acronis, AT&T, Dell, FedEx, Honeywell, McKinsey, Salesforce, and numerous global associations. Audiences leave his sessions with actionable counterintelligence techniques and a clear understanding of how to protect their data, their money, and their reputation.
Eric O’Neill Speaking Videos
Eric O'Neill Speaking Sizzle Reel
Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime with Eric O'Neill
Eric O’Neill Keynote Topics
Step into the frontlines of modern cyber warfare, where state-sponsored operatives, deepfake technology, and dark web syndicates converge to target organizations just like yours. As generative AI supercharges cybercriminal operations, total global cybertheft is projected to surpass $20 trillion USD. In this gripping keynote, cybersecurity expert and former FBI spy hunter Eric O'Neill draws on classified operations and fresh real-world cases to teach audiences how to think like a counterintelligence operative and build defenses that work.
Audiences will learn why cybercrime is the fastest-growing illicit economy on earth, how espionage networks fuel dark web attacks, and which counterintelligence techniques can be applied immediately to protect themselves and their organizations.
AI-generated voices, videos, and images are no longer theoretical risks - they are active weapons. From ransomware campaigns by cyber-extortionists holding data hostage, to elaborately fabricated video calls that trick teams into authorizing fraudulent transfers, the latest attack vectors exploit trust at every level. In this keynote, Eric O'Neill unpacks the most jaw-dropping real-world cases of AI-fueled deception and delivers a clear framework for identifying and neutralizing these threats before they reach your bottom line.
Audiences will understand how generative AI has scaled and sharpened cybercriminal operations, learn to recognize deepfake-driven attacks, and walk away with concrete steps to protect themselves and their organizations from AI-powered fraud.
You would never see James Bond deliver a keynote to your leadership team - but you can hear from the real thing. Eric O'Neill weaves his edge-of-your-seat story of catching the most dangerous spy in FBI history into a deeply motivational session on leadership, resilience, and strategic execution. Drawing from his bestselling memoir Gray Day and the Hollywood film Breach, O'Neill shares how he succeeded in a mission with no playbook, minimal support, and everything at stake.
Key takeaways include how to create opportunities rather than wait for them, how to manage setbacks and convert them into strategic advantage, why preparation and contingency planning separate high performers from everyone else, and how to pursue organizational goals with the determination and precision of a counterintelligence operative.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Eric O’Neill
Is Eric O'Neill the FBI agent who caught Robert Hanssen?
Eric O'Neill played a central role in one of the most significant counterintelligence operations in FBI history. As a young operative, he was assigned to work undercover alongside Robert Hanssen, a 25-year FBI veteran who had been spying for the Russians. O'Neill's work directly contributed to Hanssen's arrest in February 2001. The case is widely considered the worst security breach in U.S. history and inspired the 2007 film Breach, starring Ryan Phillippe and Chris Cooper.
What books has Eric O'Neill written?
Eric O'Neill is the author of two books. Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America's First Cyber Spy (Crown/Penguin Random House, 2019) is his acclaimed memoir recounting the Hanssen investigation from the inside. His latest, Spies, Lies and Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Tactics to Outsmart Hackers and Disarm Scammers (HarperCollins, October 2025), became an instant USA Today bestseller and Amazon #1 bestseller, offering practical cybersecurity strategies for individuals and organizations.
What topics does cybersecurity speaker Eric O'Neill cover in his keynotes?
Cybersecurity speaker Eric O'Neill delivers keynotes on a range of topics including AI-generated threats and deepfakes, dark web criminal networks, ransomware and cyber extortion, corporate espionage, and counterintelligence techniques for protecting organizational data. He also speaks on leadership, resilience, and mission execution, drawing parallels between his FBI undercover work and the challenges facing today's business leaders. For detailed keynote descriptions and booking information, Aurum Speakers Bureau provides direct access to his speaking engagements.
Why is Eric O'Neill considered one of the top cybersecurity keynote speakers?
Eric O'Neill combines something few cybersecurity speakers can offer: real undercover intelligence experience with deep technical expertise and legal training. As a former FBI operative who caught the Bureau's most damaging spy, a licensed attorney, and the founder of two security firms, he brings firsthand knowledge of how adversaries operate - from nation-state actors to dark web criminal syndicates. His presentations blend classified-level storytelling with immediately actionable cybersecurity frameworks, making him one of the most sought-after cybersecurity keynote speakers for corporate events, associations, and executive audiences worldwide. Organizations interested in booking Eric O'Neill can contact Aurum Speakers Bureau for availability and tailored proposals.
How to book Eric O’Neill as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Eric O’Neill as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Eric O’Neill's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Eric O’Neill or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Eric O’Neill speaking fee?
Eric O’Neill speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Eric O’Neill to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Eric O’Neill.
How can I contact Eric O’Neill?
We only work with Eric O’Neill on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Eric O’Neill and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Eric O’Neill speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Eric O’Neill for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Eric O’Neill for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Eric O’Neill is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Eric O’Neill for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
