IPN Spotlight: Jamil N. Jaffer (Vice President for Strategy & Business Development at IronNet Cybersecurity)
Jamil N. Jaffer is currently Vice President for Strategy & Business Development at IronNet Cybersecurity, a startup technology firm founded by former National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith Alexander (ret.) and former National Counterterrorism Center Director Matt Olsen. Jamil also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law and Director of the Homeland and National Security Law Program at the George Mason University School of Law where he teaches classes on counter terrorism, intelligence, surveillance, cybersecurity, and other national security matters and is affiliated with Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC). Among other things, Jamil previously served as Chief Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as an Associate Counsel to the President in the White House.
What skills have helped you in your career?
While law school gave me strong analytical skills that I use every day, the real skills that have helped me succeed are the appreciation my family gave me for hard work, personal loyalty, and doing whatever needs to be done.
What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had known what a critical and massive impact individual people can have on your life and how seemingly small decisions can have a huge impact on what happens next. At every turn, I can point specifically at one person or event that has changed the course of my career.
What is next for you in your career?
To keep doing jobs that are fun and challenging and allow me try new things.
What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I read a lot; although less online then you might think. I’m old school – I like my books, magazines, and newspaper in print. I also teach, which can be fun and a lot of work, so that helps keep my mind active.
What advice would you offer to others?
Try new things. Don’t be afraid to fail. You can get your dream job, but you may have to take a circuitous path to get there; don’t let that bother you – just do things that look fun, interesting, and rewarding and it’ll all work out. Make your bosses look good, work late, and be willing to do anything; the best opportunities come when there’s no else around to help.
Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Help getting jobs in government, politics, national security, foreign policy, and technology
• Advice on switching careers
• Thoughts on how to accelerate progress in a given career progression
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