Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention and Law Enforcement
Nick G. Kikis serves as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention and Law Enforcement (CTTPLE) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In this role, Mr. Kikis advances the DHS mission by driving key policy initiatives to prevent a wide array of threats to the Homeland, including those posed by hostile nation states and emerging risks. Through the development and coordination of Department-wide strategies, CTTPLE leads efforts to address complex and evolving challenges spanning counterterrorism and homeland threats, unmanned aerial systems, global screening and biometrics, foreign terrorist organizations, transnational crime and cartels, and human trafficking.
Mr. Kikis brings over three decades of distinguished service in the U.S. government, including senior executive roles within the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC). His career spans leadership in national security, intelligence operations, counterterrorism, crisis management, and the integration of advanced technologies.
Appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2006, Mr. Kikis held multiple high-level leadership positions. Notably, he served as the first Director of the Defense Clandestine Service, overseeing global intelligence operations. He also led DoD’s Joint Foreign Materiel Program Office, directing the acquisition and exploitation of foreign military technologies. His assignments included Chief of a contingency operating base in Afghanistan; Acting Chief of Field Operations at the Defense Counterintelligence & HUMINT Center; Associate Deputy Director for Defense at the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center; and DIA Executive Representative to the CIA’s Directorate of Operations.
Mr. Kikis’ contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the ODNI National Intelligence Superior Service Medal, the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism, the DIA Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, the Defense Intelligence Director’s Award, and the CIA Donovan Award for Counterterrorism and Community Integration.
A native of New York City, Mr. Kikis holds a B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from Pace University and an M.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University. He has also completed executive leadership programs at The George Washington University and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.