The board of directors of American International Group Inc has elected cybersecurity expert John (Chris) Inglis as an independent director, effective March 1.

A former national cyber director in the United States and an adviser to US President Joe Biden on cybersecurity from 2021 until 2023, the company said Mr Inglis is a leading expert on cyber intelligence and security, with a distinguished career in US federal defence, public and private sector service, and academia.

After 43 years of federal service, including 28 years at the National Security Agency and seven years as its deputy director, Mr Inglis retired from the Department of Defence in January 2014.

He is currently a strategic adviser at Paladin Capital Group, having previously served as a managing director for seven years before joining the Biden administration.

“Chris Inglis is a highly accomplished leader who will provide insight and perspective based on his deep experience with cyber intelligence and advanced technology,” said AIG lead independent director, John G Rice.

“Chris brings nearly five decades of distinguished military service as well as public and private sector leadership to AIG, and we look forward to welcoming him as our newest board member.”

AIG said Mr Inglis has been a US Naval Academy Looker Distinguished Visiting Professor for cyber studies, US Air Force Academy Milanovich Visiting Professor for cyber studies, commissioner on the US Cyberspace Solarium Commission, member of the Department of Defence Science Board, trustee for National Intelligence University, and member of the boards of several public and private corporations.

His military career includes 30 years in the US Air Force and Air National Guard, from which he retired as a command pilot at the rank of Brigadier General.

A 1976 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, Mr Inglis holds advanced degrees in engineering and computer science from Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, and the George Washington University, and an honourary doctorate from the US National Intelligence University.