Derek Dela-Cruz | International Security Advisor

Derek is a former U.S. Army officer, federal law enforcement agent, and national security professional. His 21-year career with the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) began in Pakistan immediately after 9/11 and culminated with a two-year tour as the Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council during which time he advised the Oval Office and implemented U.S. policy on transnational threats against official and private Americans throughout the world.

As a DSS Special Agent, Derek managed and supported security programs for U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Pakistan, Israel, Iraq, Spain, South Sudan, Haiti, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria. These roles entailed detailed security assessments, robust liaison with host nation governments and other diplomatic missions, and strong coordination with U.S. military special operations forces as the in-extremis evacuation of U.S. diplomats and citizens could have been necessary at any time. After the Oct 7th Hamas attack into Israel, Derek directed DSS’ tactical support during the massive evacuation of U.S. citizens from Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt. Derek has also served as the chief of executive protection for two U.S. Ambassadors to Iraq, one U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, and he has supported the protective details for multiple U.S. Secretaries of State from Colin Powell to Antony Blinken.

Derek was a local police officer and detective for the Ogden Police Department in Ogden, Utah, and a special investigator for the Utah Attorney General’s Office where he investigated human trafficking, internet crimes against children, and the distribution of illicit narcotics by illegal aliens residing in Utah. Derek graduated from West Point in 1994 and he speaks Spanish and French.