Ayan Islam is an Adjunct Lecturer at American University School of Public Affairs' Cybersecurity Policy and Management program. As former White House Director of Cyber Workforce, she served at the Office of National Cyber Director (ONCD) supporting the development and implementation of the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.

Previously, she was the Associate Policy Director for R Street's Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats team and contributed to special initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).