For 15 years, Rachel Wilson lead counterterrorism and cyber exploitation operations for the National Security Agency (NSA). Now, as the Chief Data Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, she leverages her experience in attacking and defending high consequence systems to protect the firm and its clients from cyber actors. In her riveting keynotes, Wilson explores today’s evolving cybersecurity threats — from nation states to cyber organized crime syndicates and hackers — and shares actionable strategies on how to best prepare for and respond to the current cyber risk environment.
Joining Morgan Stanley in 2017, Wilson became their first ever Head of Wealth Management Cybersecurity, advising senior business and technology leaders on a range of cybersecurity issues, including secure code development standards, secure network architecture, vendor relationships, advanced persistent threat (APT) detection, and mobile security. Her team drove innovation for new cybersecurity and authentication technology in the pursuit of protecting the integrity and confidentiality of firm and client data. In 2019, Wilson was recognized by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management as part of the MAKERS Class, a program that honours women who serve as ground breakers, innovators, and advocates.
Today, as Chief Data Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, her team is responsible for protecting all sensitive client data from any type of theft, loss, or compromise. She also oversees the resilience of Wealth Management’s critical infrastructure and the continuity of core business processes at times of turbulence. Additionally, Wilson supervises the client fraud risk program, which institutes technical and business controls to help prevent unauthorized access to or misuse of client funds.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, Wilson held several key senior executive-level leadership positions at the NSA. Between 2008 and 2010, she ran their counterterrorism operations and led a global enterprise in detecting and disrupting terrorists plotting against the US and its allies. Between 2010 and 2012, Wilson served as NSA’s Chief of Operations in the UK, where she worked with UK intelligence services to counter terrorist and cyber threats to the 2012 London Olympics. Wilson then spent nearly five years leading NSA’s cyber exploitation operations and served as the committing official for many of NSA’s highest risk and most important intelligence gathering activities.
Wilson was also named one of the Top Women in WealthTech 2020 by ThinkAdvisor. As a senior subject matter expert, she regularly advises wealth management leadership and clients on the cyber threat landscape and mitigation strategies.