Gemma Ungoed-Thomas is the Director for State Threats, Cyber and Technology in the UK Cabinet Office, where she leads national strategy at the intersection of security, advanced technology and resilience. She has shaped the UK’s £2BN National Cyber Strategy, developed the first Counter State Threats Strategy, and co-chairs the National Cyber Advisory Board, convening senior leaders across government, industry and civil society to strengthen systemic resilience.

She has extensive experience of strategy, crisis management and risk planning across major national security issues. Prior to joining the National Security Secretariat leadership team, Gemma served as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister on Home Affairs and Homeland Security, leading cross-government responses to CT incidents, national cyber events and major crises such as the Afghanistan evacuation.

At the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Gemma established and led national incident response teams and oversaw the development of the UK’s cyber incident response capability, managing multi-disciplinary operations handling the most significant national cyber attacks. She coordinated real-time operational response and strategic decision-making for ministers, industry leaders and critical infrastructure. She also held senior roles at GCHQ, leading cross-government cyber defence initiatives and contributing to the development of the UK’s first National Offensive Cyber Strategy.

Gemma’s work emphasises resilience as a strategic pillar of national power, integrating behavioural insight, adaptive governance and international cooperation. She has advanced resilience frameworks with Five Eyes partners, the EU and the US, and provides narrative leadership on democratic resilience, responsible AI governance and the security implications of emerging technologies.

Gemma is transitioning from government in April and has accepted Senior Fellowships with Kings College London and The Atlantic Council to contribute to thought leadership and research in Cyber resilience and Hybrid warfare.