General Biography

Aristedes (Ari) Mahairas is the Senior Vice President (SVP), Director of Security & Life Safety for SL Green Realty, the largest commercial Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in New York City, where he provides strategic and operational leadership to its executives and oversees all security, technology systems, and safety functions.  Prior to joining SL Green, he served as the Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC) for the Counterintelligence and Cyber Divisions of the FBI’s New York Office.  Throughout his 23+ year career with the FBI, Ari served in numerous leadership positions, such as, Chief of Staff to the Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch, Section Chief of the Strategic Operations Section at FBI HQ’s Counterterrorism Division, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task-Force, and Legal Attaché in Athens, Greece.  Ari also serves as a Steering Committee Member for the Global Cyber Institute, an Advisory Board Member for Cybersecurity at the Zicklin School of Business, and on the Departmental Advisory Board, Department of Information Systems and Statistics, Baruch College.

Some of Mr. Mahairas’ notable skills are listed below:

  • Proficient in establishing framework & governance to execute a comprehensive physical and IT security Program that addresses risk assessment, vulnerability analyses, threat prioritization protocols, and business continuity plans.
  • Expert in advanced threat protection, cyber incident response protocols, and investigation best practices.
  • On-going, collaborative relationships with a global community of intelligence, law enforcement, and private sector leaders.
  • Recognized for high level of integrity, work ethic, and leadership of large, multi-cultural, high-performing teams held accountable for results. Passionate about value creation, organizational excellence, operational efficiency, and leadership development.

Practice Areas

Board-Level Consulting

  • Advised on a comprehensive cybersecurity risk assessment for a global enterprise, identifying vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure, assessing potential threats, and recommending strategies to mitigate risks. This included evaluating the effectiveness of existing security protocols, suggesting improvements in areas like network security, data encryption, and access control, and developing a robust incident response plan.
  • Led the development of a cybersecurity policy framework for a major bank, ensuring compliance with international regulations like GDPR and CCPA. This involved analyzing the current cybersecurity landscape, identifying specific risks associated with financial transactions, and implementing policies for secure data management, employee training programs, and regular security audits.
  • Provided expert guidance to a technology company during a high-profile data breach. This included immediate incident response to contain the breach, conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause and extent of the breach, liaising with legal and PR teams, and law enforcement agencies to manage external communications, and advising on long-term strategies to prevent future incidents.

Investigations

  • United States v. Khattalah (Benghazi): Investigation into a terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. citizens, including one U.S. Ambassador on Sep. 11, 2012, which included close collaboration with all agencies in the US Intelligence Community, as well as North African and Southern European security services to gather evidence, conduct witness interview/depositions, and develop working relationships. The investigation resulted in the location, capture/arrest, and prosecution of the militia leader responsible for the attack.  Ultimately the case received the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and nominated for Director’s Award for Counterterrorism investigations.
  • United States v. Cheibani (Mali/Niger): Investigation into the murder of Defense Attaché William Bultmeier in Niger in 2000. Two diplomats were attacked by an unknown assailant, resulting in Mr. Bultmeier’s death. The FBI NY received the case in 2011 and through diligent investigation, travelled overseas, identified witnesses, collected forensic evidence, and collaborated with intelligence services to arrest Cheibani in Mali. The continued liaison with Malian and Nigerien governments yielded Cheibani’s extradition, in large part because he had escaped Malian and Nigerian custody more than once.  Ultimately, the case received the Director’s Award for Excellence in International Operations. 

Expert Witness Testimony

  • Testified as an expert witness on behalf of the NYPD and the FBI in hundreds of cases involving of cyber security crimes, national security, fraud and a range of other criminal activities.
  • Consulted in multiple high-profile legal cases on cybersecurity, cyber fraud, digital forensics, articulating complex issues clearly and providing impartial, fact-based testimony in several of these matters.

Incident Response

  • Consulted hundreds of companies on behalf of the FBI in regards to a wide range of cyber crimes including ransomware, hacking
  • Expert in incident response leadership, managing cyber incidents to minimize impact, developing tailored strategies for specific threats, and excelling in crisis management.
  • Manages fast-paced incident response operations during critical breaches, coordinating with stakeholders for effective communication and resolution.

Professional Credentials

Certifications

  • Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy & Technology, Harvard Kennedy School, 2018
  • CERT Insider Threat Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 2018
  • Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), SANS Org., 2018
  • Security Leadership Certification (GSLC), SANS Org., 2018
  • Overseas Security & Awareness Training, FBI & US Department of State, 2018
  • GIAC Security Essentials Certification, SANS Org., 2017
  • National Incident Management System, FBI, 2016
  • GIAC Information Security Fundamentals, SANS Org., 2016
  • Certified Intelligence Officer, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, 2013

Bar Membership

  • New York, 2002

Memberships

  • Councilmember, Tricarico Institute at New York Law School, 2019 – Present
  • Steering Committee Member, Global Cyber Institute, 2018 – Present
  • Advisory Board Member, Department of Information Systems and Statistics for Cybersecurity, CUNY Baruch College, 2015 – Present

Honors

  • “Gold” ratings (highest internal program rating), FBI, Cyber Program, 2015 – 2019
  • “Gold” ratings, FBI, Counterintelligence Program, 2015 – 2019
  • Outstanding Annual Performance, FBI Senior Executive Service, 2014 – 2019
  • Director’s Award for Excellence in International Operations, FBI, U.S. v. Cheibani, 2018
  • U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, U.S. DOJ, U.S. v. Khattalah, 2018

Background and Education

  • SVP, Director of Security & Life Safety, SL Green Realty Corp, New York, NY, 2019 – Present
  • Executive Education, Harvard Kennedy School, 2018 (Cybersecurity: The Intersection of Policy and Technology)
  • JD, New York Law School, 2002 (Cum Laude)
  • Special Agent in Charge, Cyber/Counterintelligence, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York, NY, 1996 – 2019
  • BA, Baruch College, CUNY, 1992 (Magna Cum Laude)
  • Police Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, New York, NY, 1990 – 1996
  • Fluent in Greek

Financial Services Company, Chief Risk Officer:

Law & Forensics’ guidance in board-level consulting has been transformative for our organization. Their expertise in integrating cybersecurity into our business strategy has not only enhanced our risk management but also improved our overall governance approach. Their team’s ability to explain complex cyber issues in a comprehensible manner has been invaluable.
 

Technology Startup, CEO:

The strategic advice from Law & Forensics on cybersecurity governance has been pivotal for our executive decision-making. Their team’s insights into emerging cyber threats and regulatory changes have helped us stay ahead of potential risks. Their contribution to our digital transformation journey has been outstanding.
 

Law Firm, Partner:

Law & Forensics’ digital forensics team played a crucial role in a high-stakes litigation case for us. Their detailed analysis and clear presentation of digital evidence were key in our success. Their professionalism and thoroughness set them apart.
 

Retail Corporation, Director of IT Security:

We turned to Law & Forensics for a complex internal investigation involving cybercrime. Their cutting-edge forensic techniques and meticulous attention to detail were impressive. The comprehensive forensic reports provided were critical in resolving our security issues.
 

Healthcare Organization, Chief Information Security Officer:

The cybersecurity audit and risk assessment provided by Law & Forensics were incredibly thorough. They helped us identify and address several critical vulnerabilities. Their recommendations have significantly enhanced our security posture.
 

Manufacturing Company, IT Manager:

Law & Forensics delivered an extensive cybersecurity assessment for our organization, aligning perfectly with industry standards. Their actionable insights have been instrumental in improving our cybersecurity defenses and compliance.
 

Law Firm, Senior Litigator:

In a complex cybersecurity legal case, the expert witness testimony provided by Law & Forensics was pivotal. Their ability to simplify technical evidence for the court was remarkable and influenced the case’s outcome positively.
 

Corporate Legal Department, General Counsel:

The expert testimony from Law & Forensics in a digital forensics dispute was invaluable. Their clear, concise, and unbiased presentation helped immensely in clarifying the technical aspects of the case for the jury.
 

Legal Services Provider, Head of Litigation Support:

Law & Forensics’ expertise in eDiscovery was evident in their handling of a large-scale project for us. Their strategic guidance on data management and technological solutions greatly enhanced our process efficiency and compliance.
 

Financial Institution, Director of Compliance:

The eDiscovery strategies developed by Law & Forensics were game-changers for our regulatory inquiries. Their ability to manage large volumes of data efficiently while reducing costs was exactly what we needed.
 

Telecommunications Company, Director of Cybersecurity:

During a major cybersecurity incident, Law & Forensics’ incident response team was exceptional. Their swift and effective management minimized the impact and expedited our recovery process.
 

Educational Institution, IT Security Head:

Law & Forensics provided expert leadership and coordination during a critical breach at our institution. Their tailored incident response plan and ability to work with various stakeholders were crucial in restoring our operations quickly.

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Lectures and Presentations:

  • Opening Keynote, GLL Members Forum Americas (Mexico, June 2023).
  • Opening Keynote, GLL Private Client Forum (Mexico, July 2022).
  • Cyber Threat Landscape: Criminal Organizations & Motivations, Current Threat Vectors and Government Regulations, Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum (Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 2022).
  • Keeping the World Safe Online and In-Person, Forging New Horizons: The Next Era for Media, Paley International Council Summit (New York, NY, November 2022).
  • Controlling IT Chaos, Center for Technology Management, Columbia University (New York, NY, June 2022).
  • Cyber Resilience for National Security & The Energy Sector, OSP Cyber Academy, Robert Gordon University (Aberdeen, Scotland, September 2022).
  • Investigating IoT Crime: The Value of IoT Crime Classification, RSA Conference (San Francisco, CA, May 2019).
  • International Conference on Cybersecurity, Fordham University (New York, NY, July 2019).
  • Cyber Trends – New York Cyber, Security and Property Management (New York, NY, January 2019).
  • Keynote, Private Equity Cybersecurity Summit, Lincoln Center (New York, NY, September 2018).
  • Cyber Bad Actors, NYPD Shield Conference (New York, NY, December 2018).
  • Using Tabletop Exercises to Improve Your Cybersecurity Program, Association of Corporate Counsel, Harvard Club, (New York, NY, October 2018).
  • Cybersecurity 2018: Managing Cybersecurity Incidents, Practicing Law Institute (San Francisco, CA, March 2018).
  • The Current Cyber Threat Landscape and Emerging Risks, Digital Enterprise Show (Madrid, Spain, May 2018).
  • International Conference on Cyber Security, Fordham University (New York, NY, February 2017).
  • Fear Factor: Protecting your Business from Cyber Security Threats, SALT Conference (Las Vegas, NV, May 2017).
  • Emerging Issues and Other Complex Concerns for Internationally Active Financial Institutions, Institute of International Bankers (New York, NY, November 2017).
  • Prevention and Insurability of Cyber Attacks, Hunton Andrews Kurth (New York, NY, November 2017).
  • A Great Target for Cybercrime, Transatlantic General Counsel Summit (London, UK, June 2017).
  • Case Study of the Times Square Counter Terrorism Investigation, FBI Boston Citizens Academy (Boston, MA, June 2016).