"Admiral Winnefeld is a tremendous addition to our advisory board and brings an extensive understanding of the cyber-threat landscape challenging secure communication and collaboration in our most sensitive environments," SpiderOak CEO David Pearah said in a statement. "His guidance will be critical in assuring our products, technology, and strategy are best positioned to meet these challenges and improve mission outcomes for our federal clientele."

Winnefeld earned a degree in aerospace engineering from Georgia Tech and went on to serve 37 years in the military, including four years as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He joined the Nunn School in August 2015 and is also a senior fellow in the Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy.

SpiderOak provides "defense and intelligence solutions" for both civilian and military clients and produces software with a focus on security and privacy.