# Alex Stamos > American computer scientist and academic, former chief security officer at Facebook **Wikidata**: [Q50822408](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q50822408) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Stamos) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alex-stamos ## Summary Alex Stamos is an American computer scientist and academic, best known for serving as the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Facebook. He is currently a researcher and educator at Stanford University, where he focuses on cybersecurity and internet policy. Stamos is also a prominent public figure in security discussions through his podcast and social media presence. ## Biography - **Born:** 1979, Los Angeles County, California, United States - **Nationality:** United States - **Education:** University of California, Berkeley - **Known for:** Serving as Chief Security Officer at Facebook and advancing cybersecurity research and education. - **Employer(s):** Stanford University (current), Facebook (former Chief Security Officer) - **Field(s):** Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Academic Research ## Contributions The provided source material does not list specific technical contributions such as published papers, patents, open-source projects, or founded companies for Alex Stamos. His documented contributions are through executive leadership and academic roles: * **Executive Leadership:** As Chief Security Officer at Facebook, he was responsible for the company's global security strategy, protecting user data and platform integrity. * **Academic Research & Education:** At Stanford University, he contributes to research and teaching in cybersecurity and internet policy. * **Public Discourse:** He hosts the "Cyber" podcast and maintains an active social media presence, contributing to public understanding of security issues. ## FAQs **What is Alex Stamos's professional background?** Alex Stamos is a computer scientist with a background in cybersecurity leadership and academia. He holds a degree from the University of California, Berkeley and has worked in both industry and higher education. **Where has Alex Stamos worked?** He is known for his tenure as the Chief Security Officer at Facebook and is currently affiliated with Stanford University. His career bridges high-level industry security and academic research. **What is Alex Stamos doing now?** He is a researcher and educator at Stanford University. He also engages in public commentary on cybersecurity through his podcast, "Cyber," and various social media platforms. **Is Alex Stamos still involved in the tech industry?** Yes, through his research at Stanford and his public-facing work analyzing security events and policy, he remains an active participant in technology and cybersecurity discourse. **What are Alex Stamos's qualifications?** He is an American computer scientist educated at the University of California, Berkeley. His qualifications are demonstrated by his former C-suite role at a major technology company and his current academic position. ## Why They Matter Alex Stamos's significance lies in his dual role as a top-tier industry security executive and an academic. His work as Facebook's CSO placed him at the center of defending one of the world's largest platforms against sophisticated threats, influencing security practices across the tech sector. Transitioning to Stanford, he helps train the next generation of security experts and contributes independent research. His public podcast and social media activity make complex security topics accessible, shaping broader conversations about digital safety, platform responsibility, and internet policy. Without his voice bridging industry, academia, and the public, the practical implementation of security principles and public understanding of cyber threats would be diminished. ## Notable For * **Former Chief Security Officer at Facebook:** Led global security for the platform during a period of intense scrutiny over data privacy and election interference. * **Stanford University Researcher & Teacher:** Contributes to academic cybersecurity research and education at a leading institution. * **Public Educator on Cybersecurity:** Hosts the "Cyber" podcast, providing analysis on security incidents and trends for a general audience. * **Verified Social Media Influencer:** Maintains a significant and verified following on platforms like Twitter (X), Mastodon, and Bluesky, where he discusses security and policy. * **American Computer Scientist:** Recognized professional with a background from the University of California, Berkeley. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Alex Stamos was born in 1979 in Los Angeles County, California, and holds United States citizenship. He is a native English speaker. His formal education includes attending the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his degree, establishing his foundation in computer science. ### Career in Industry Stamos's most prominent industry role was as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) at Facebook. In this executive position, he was responsible for the company's worldwide security posture, encompassing infrastructure protection, user data safety, and response to cyber threats. This role placed him at the forefront of addressing major challenges in online security, privacy, and platform integrity. ### Academic and Research Career Following his industry tenure, Stamos joined Stanford University. There, he is involved in research and teaching within the domains of cybersecurity and internet policy. This move signifies his commitment to advancing the theoretical and practical knowledge of security within an academic setting. ### Public Engagement and Discourse A key aspect of Stamos's profile is his active engagement with the public and professional communities on security matters. He hosts the podcast "Cyber," where he analyzes current events in cybersecurity. He maintains a verified presence on multiple social media platforms, including Twitter (X, handle @alexstamos), Mastodon (alex@cybervillains.com), and Bluesky (stamos.org), using these channels to share insights and commentary. His social media following has been documented in the tens of thousands. ### Professional Identity and Classification He is formally classified as a computer scientist and has also been described as a businessperson, reflecting his executive experience. His work spans the industrial and service sectors. He is listed in various authority files, including Wikidata, with identifiers such as a DBLP author ID (277/8003) and an Open Library ID (OL8227058A). His Wikipedia entry exists in multiple languages, including English and Russian. ## References 1. Google Knowledge Graph 2. Virtual International Authority File 3. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/alex-stamos-107aDn7JwX/appearances)