OpenAI hires former White House cyber official Thomas Lind to lead cyber and strategic risk

OpenAI has hired Thomas Lind, a former White House cyber official, to lead cyber and strategic risk on its national security policy team. Lind joined the company the week of October 2, 2026. Until this summer, he was helping shape how the federal government thinks about powerful AI systems like the ones OpenAI builds. From the West Wing to the model lab Lind’s most recent government post was at the White House Office of the National Cyber Director, known as ONCD. He served there as head of policy and senior advisor from April 2025 to June 2026. His focus during that stint was the overlap between AI policy and cybersecurity. The research behind this report describes Lind as instrumental in crafting a June 2, 2026 executive order on AI safety frameworks. That order set up a voluntary review process for high-capability models. The practical effect is that the most advanced AI systems now have a formal government review channel. Developers can use it, but they are not required to. Lind left ONCD in June 2026. His stated reason was a desire to spend more time with family. His departure came alongside other exits from tech policy roles in the wake of the executive order. During a panel d...