Pete Slade is a highly experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and accomplished software engineering leader with deep expertise in developing innovative technology solutions, driving product strategy, and building high-performance teams. Known for his strategic vision and hands-on leadership, Pete has advanced the capabilities of both commercial enterprises and national intelligence communities through his work in software engineering, product development, cybersecurity, AI/ML, and cloud technologies.
As a trusted advisor on systems and infrastructure security, Pete has played important roles in shaping U.S. cybersecurity policy. He has provided expertise to initiatives such as the Cyber Solarium Commission, the Cyber Shield Act of 2019, the CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model, and the security of election voting systems. Notably, twenty-six of the Cyber Solarium Commission’s recommendations were incorporated into the 2021 National Defense Authorization (NDAA), marking it as one of the most comprehensive and forward-looking pieces of national cybersecurity legislation in the nation’s history.
Throughout his career, Pete has demonstrated dynamic business leadership, spearheading rapid growth and innovation across multiple organizations. As CTO at ThreatWarrior, he led the development of an AI-driven cybersecurity platform that enhances organizational defenses across cloud environments, endpoints, and applications, securing strategic investments that increased the company’s valuation by 2400% within 18 months. Before ThreatWarrior, he founded Nitro Solutions, where he pioneered AI technologies that drove a 1,797% increase in revenue over three years, earning the company a spot on the Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies. Nitro Solutions also received national recognition with accolades such as “Best Places to Work” and “Technology Company of the Year.”
As a hands-on CTO, Pete has led the design, architecture, and deployment of cutting-edge technology solutions from concept to market delivery. He has successfully managed diverse teams—from small, agile groups to large engineering departments—transforming legacy systems into modern, scalable platforms, guiding technology turnarounds, and delivering critical solutions for both commercial and government sectors.
Pete excels in aligning technology initiatives with business goals, managing stakeholder expectations, and ensuring on-time, high-quality releases. His leadership has consistently enabled organizations to achieve strategic objectives, overcome complex technical challenges, and harness emerging technologies for competitive advantage. His technical expertise spans a wide range of platforms and technologies, including programming languages such as Go, Node.js, Python, C#, Java, .NET, and JavaScript, and he is experienced in designing and implementing scalable solutions using AI, machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing (NLP), cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), Docker, Kubernetes, microservices architecture, serverless computing, and real-time streaming data.
Pete’s experience also includes working with operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, and he is well-versed in networking protocols, system administration, and infrastructure design. He has a strong foundation in cybersecurity frameworks and standards, including Zero Trust Architecture, DevSecOps, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, incident response, penetration testing, and secure application development.
A Fellow at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) and Mission Critical, Pete is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council and a patented inventor. He is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences such as RSA and Black Hat, where he shares insights on cyber defense, AI, national security, and entrepreneurship. His technical expertise is further underscored by certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), Certified Security Analyst (CSA), Certified Cyber Security Architect (CCSA), and Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE).
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Pete is deeply committed to sharing his knowledge and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness across all ages and professional backgrounds. His efforts continue to bridge the gap between cybersecurity and business, recognizing that these issues impact everyone in our increasingly connected world. For more in-depth insights, explore the Learning Hub or visit his blog.
Pete is an author, contributor, consultant, and blogger, actively sharing his insights and expertise in technology, business, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and national defense. A core part of Pete’s ethos is his commitment to advancing awareness in these critical areas. His influential publications and blog posts continue to shape cybersecurity discourse and policy, as well as inform and educate a diverse audience, from consumers to business leaders, about today's and tomorrow's pressing cyber threats.
Explore a small collection of Pete’s work below. Ranging from in-depth reports to comprehensive guides, each piece highlights his active engagement in the field and his commitment to tackling the complex challenges of cybersecurity.
Pete's fascination with computers and network interoperability began in the era of emerging computer technology. Eager to learn everything about them, he started his career journey long before leaving school.
Throughout his career, Pete mastered various programming languages and techniques, quickly becoming the go-to expert for difficult or challenging projects. As his knowledge and reputation grew, so did his ability to tackle complex technology problems.
Security has always been Pete's passion, and his relentless curiosity and problem-solving skills have helped him become a thought leader and authority in cybersecurity. In addition, his life-long love for problem-solving and learning have informed his approach to leadership. In the 30+ years of his career, he has been committed to building work cultures that value learning, innovation, and creative thinking.
As a patented inventor, Pete has led technical teams in product development and management, research and development, and business strategy. He advises chief information security officers, boards of directors, and government officials on security practices and strategies to help manage the business risks associated with cybersecurity. To learn more about Pete's insights on leadership and team building, please click on the following links:
Pete’s professional journey is matched by a rich personal life. Originally from the United Kingdom, Pete moved to the United States in 1995 and became a US citizen. He has lived in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Florida, and currently resides with his family in Austin, Texas. 
When he's not busy designing and implementing security innovations or researching vulnerabilities, Pete enjoys reading and spending time with his wife and children.
