Jack Barsky

Jack Barsky

• Former KGB secret agent and Cold War Spy recruited by the Soviet Union to infiltrate the U.S.A
• One of the very few surviving ex-KGB undercover agents who were operational in the United States during the waning years of the Cold War
• The bestselling author of “Deep Undercover” and “Der Falsche Amerikaner”

Jack Barsky, is a famous Cold War Spy who was born in East Germany, came from a humble background. He graduated as valedictorian with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baruch College. Jack also holds a Masters Degree in Chemistry from the Friedrich Schiller University. Both are in Eastern Germany.

What makes Jack unique, is the fact that he was born and raised in East Germany where he was recruited by the KGB. During the 1980s he spent ten years as an undercover agent in the United States spying for the Soviet Union. Today he is a United States citizen whose life story was featured in May of 2015 on CBS 60 Minutes. His memoir “Deep Undercover” was released in 2017. The book has been translated into German, Swedish, and Polish. Work on a TV series (working title “An American Citizen”) based on the book is in progress.

His career saw him start out teaching Chemistry and Mathematics before being recruited by the KGB. Jack’s mission was to infiltrate into the U.S.A. and spy for the Soviet Union. This he did quite successfully for a period of ten years.  After ‘resigning’ from the KGB, however, Jack was eventually discovered by the FBI.

Jack’s career in the tech industry saw him hold numerous high-profile positions, including that of CIO at various Fortune 200 companies in the healthcare, insurance and energy industries.

In 2015, Jack’s unique life story was featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes. It attracted mass attention, resulting in it being broadcast three times on prime time, a rare occurrence.  He has been an advisor to the popular Netflix series “The American’s“.

In addition to 60 Minutes, Jack’s story has been featured on French, British, German, Polish, Turkish, and Japanese TV. Standouts among the almost 100 international media outlets that have covered Jack, are The London Times, The Guardian, Del Spiegel, Die Welt, The New York Post, the BBC and ZDF Markus Lanz. He has also made numerous appearances as a commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX.

Jack Barsky – Speaker

As a speaker, Jack Barsky has the ability to rivet his audiences, keeping their attention throughout. His audiences, thus far, have ranged from international groups of 5,000 to 200 attendees. All are given equal consideration by Jack.

Topics

Jack Barsky is a rarity these days, he is one of very few surviving ex KGB undercover agents who were operational in the United States during the waning years of the cold war.

“The world of espionage is a fragile web constructed of lies, deceit, and betrayal held together by …….. trust.”

Here is an example of Jack Barsky’s presentation for the Citywire Conference in Berlin, Germany – November 2018.

• A quick insight into the life of an illegal undercover agent
• Placing the KGB in history
• Connecting the intelligence services of the Soviet Union with those of modern-day Russia
• Espionage – what can we know about that world, and what we likely will never know
• Famous spy cases of today and in history
• Cybersecurity and the insider threat

In the subsequent Q&A session, Jack will answer questions about these subjects and his life. There is no question that will be considered off limits.

Languages Spoken

English, German and semi-fluent in Spanish

Recent Speaking Engagements

Corporate

1. Microsoft Headquarters, Seattle WA
2. Citywire Customer Event, Berlin Germany – Keynote
3. Threatscape Customer Event, Dublin Ireland – Keynote
4. Criminal Justice Information Services Conference, Seaside OR – Keynote
5. Infosec Conference, Nashville TN – Keynote
6. E4 Carolinas Annual Meeting, Charlotte, NC – Keynote
7. EFM Gateway to Cyber City, St. Louis MS – Keynote
8. YPO Summit, Miami FL – Keynote
9. Clif Bar Customer Event, Oakland CA – Keynote
10. FutureCom Conference, Dallas TX – Keynote
11. Sertainty Annual Investor Meeting, Nashville TN – Keynote
12. Millenium CIO Summit, West Palm Beach FL – Keynote
13. Truision Customer Event, New York NY – Keynote
14. VECTRA Customer Event, San Francisco CA
15. Gunter Group Customer Event, Portland OR – Keynote
16. SCM Media CISO Summit, Scottsdale AZ – Master of Ceremonies
17. Premier CIO Conference, New Brunswick NJ
18. HGM CIO Summit, Chicago IL

Academia

1. Emory University, Atlanta GA
2. Georgia Tech University , Atlanta GA
3. Senior University, Atlanta GA
4. Florida Atlantic University, Fort Lauderdale FL
5. University of Miami, Miami FL
6. Harvard Club, Atlanta GA
7. Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan Poland

Other

1. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC
2. International Spy Museum, Washington DC
3. Spy Museum Berlin, Berlin Germany
4. Lehigh Valley Paralegal Association, Allentown PA
5. TAG Cyber Security Conference, NYC
6. Albany SIMposium – Keynote
7. Society for Information Management NJ Chapter, Morristown NJ
8. Society for Information Management Boston Chapter, Boston MA
9. Society for Information Management NY/Westchester Chapter, White Plans NY
10. Society for Information Management Southern Connecticut Chapter, Hartford CT
11. Society for Information Management Atlanta Chapter, Atlanta GA
12. National Conference Society for Information Management, Uncasville CT
13. Rotary Club of Covington GA
14. Rotary Club of Brazelton GA
15. Rotary Club of Canton GA
16. Rotary Club of Alpharetta GA
17. Kiwanis Covington GA
18. Veterans Club Atlanta GA
19. Navy Club Atlanta GA
20. Jewish Veterans Atlanta GA
21. Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown PA
22. Jewish Community Center, Atlanta GA
23. Decatur Book Fair, Decatur GA
24. Augusta Book Fair Augusta GA
25. Leipzig Book Fair, Leipzig Germany