National security leaders are responsible for modernizing, protecting and defending the technologies that support missions across land, sea, air and space. Their work underpins one of government’s most critical responsibilities: safeguarding the nation’s people, economy and institutions. The missions highlighted here span critical infrastructure, cyber-connected systems, internet of things, enterprise IT, border protection and space. As threats evolve, the stakes and the impact of their leadership continue to rise.
WashingtonExec’s 2026 Top National Security Executives to Watch list highlights senior vice presidents, vice presidents and sector leaders advancing missions at the Department of Homeland Security and across law enforcement agencies. These leaders have driven meaningful progress through strong teams, disciplined execution and deep expertise, positioning their organizations to navigate an increasingly complex national security landscape.