Areas of Expertise

• Computer Science
• Law
• Data Privacy
• Cyber Security
• Artificial Intelligence

Academic Degrees

• Juris Doctor with honors, Georgetown University
• Master of Law, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
• Master of Science, Computer Systems, U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
• Bachelor of Science, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of New Hampshire

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Richard Magnan joined the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in August 2023 as a professor specializing in law and cybersecurity in the Transnational Security Studies Department. Drawing on his private and public sector experience as a computer scientist and lawyer, his research focuses on issues related to law and technology.  

Prior to joining the Marshall Center, Magnan served in the U.S. European Command planning and C4 (command, control, communications, and cyber) directorates handling international legal agreements, data privacy, cloud computing, and interoperability. As a U.S. Air Force officer, he held command and staff roles in law, computer science, international politico-military affairs, and intelligence.

As the general counsel, chief information officer, and chief of cybersecurity at Rising Tide in Switzerland, he handled all legal issues for a group of companies in the healthcare and intellectual property fields. In the international law field, he served as legal advisor to U.S. ambassadors at the U.S. Mission to NATO and the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, where he was legal advisor for the nuclear weapon treaties. He also served as an attorney and computer scientist in various positions with private industry and international organizations. As a National Defense fellow at Harvard University, Magnan researched and published law and technology.

Magnan’s awards include: Legal 500 GC Powerlist (Switzerland); Defense Superior Service Medal (four awards); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; and the Air Force Commendation Medal.