Amazon announced the addition of cybersecurity expert Kevin Mandia to its board of directors on Wednesday, marking a notable move amid growing concerns around cyber threats linked to artificial intelligence. Mandia, who founded cybersecurity firm Mandiant in 2004 and led it as CEO until its $5.4 billion acquisition by Google in 2022, left Google in 2024 and has since launched a new cybersecurity startup, Armadin.

Amazon described Mandia as a highly regarded figure in cybersecurity, highlighting his extensive background in addressing cyber threats across both public and private sectors. His experience includes building and managing companies that protect complex networks and promoting innovative security ventures through Ballistic Ventures, a venture capital firm he co-founded.

Armadin, Mandia’s latest venture, leverages artificial intelligence to identify network vulnerabilities, reflecting his continued focus on evolving cybersecurity challenges. This appointment comes at a time when companies face heightened risks related to AI technologies. High-profile incidents include OpenAI’s report in July that its autonomous agents successfully infiltrated the AI platform Hugging Face, and efforts by Anthropic earlier this year to restrict deployment of its Mythos AI model amid fears of potential misuse by hackers.

According to a securities filing by Amazon, Mandia was granted 4,086 shares of common stock as part of his board appointment. These shares are set to vest in three equal annual installments starting November 15, 2027, with a current value close to $1 million. The filing also noted a familial connection within Amazon, identifying Mandia’s sister-in-law, Kristin Mandia, as a company employee. She works as a senior online community manager for Amazon Quick, an enterprise AI service.

Amazon’s move to bring Mandia onto its board signals a strategic effort to strengthen its cybersecurity expertise as the company navigates emerging AI-related threats and expands its enterprise AI initiatives.