Matthew Ferren is an international affairs fellow in national security, sponsored by Janine and J. Tomilson Hill, at the Council on Foreign Relations. An expert in cybersecurity, military operations, and emerging technologies, he has served at the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of the Treasury, and the White House. At CFR, his research examines China’s evolving cyber threat, U.S. defense policy, and international cyber cooperation. 

Prior to joining CFR, Ferren served in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, where he developed DOD strategies, policies, and plans for employing military cyberspace operations to advance U.S. national security interests and counter major cyber threats. He supported the 2024 creation of the assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy position and helped shape new authorities and capabilities for U.S. Cyber Command. 

Beginning in 2021, Ferren helped stand up the White House Office of the National Cyber Director. There, he coauthored the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy and the 2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States. He also contributed to the development of the Energy Modernization Cybersecurity Implementation Plan, which enhances resilience across the clean energy transition. He previously worked at the Department of the Treasury on international efforts to strengthen financial sector cyber resilience, and at the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a bipartisan initiative to develop a new U.S. strategic approach in cyberspace. 

Ferren entered federal service as a presidential management fellow. He holds a BA in political science from Bates College and an MA in security studies from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.