Syed Nabil Mahmud

Award-winning security and risk management professional with more than 20 years of experience leading physical security, insider risk, investigations, emergency management, and compliance programs for the U.S. Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka.

Recognized as the 2023 Foreign Service National of the Year (South-Central Asia Bureau Winner and Worldwide Runner-Up) for exceptional leadership and operational impact. Experienced in managing enterprise security programs, conducting sensitive insider threat and workplace investigations, mitigating organizational risk, developing security policies and procedures, leading crisis response operations, and coordinating cross-functional stakeholders across government, law enforcement, and executive leadership teams. Proven track record overseeing multimillion-dollar programs, driving regulatory compliance, improving operational resilience, and leading large-scale security initiatives in complex and high-risk environments.

Deep fluency in U.S. federal compliance frameworks including CFR, FAM, FAH, and DSS regulations. U.S.

Lawful Permanent

Resident (Green Card holder) eligible for Public Trust positions, with unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

Senior Security Investigator at U.S. Department of State — Embassy of the United States of America (2019-09 – 2026-04)

Led enterprise security, risk management, and physical security programs supporting a multi-agency U.S. government mission with approximately 800 employees and contractors.

• Directed insider risk, workplace misconduct, security violation, and compliance investigations involving personnel, contractors, and third-party stakeholders.
• Managed a $3M security assistance program and annual operational budgets exceeding $2M while ensuring fiscal accountability, regulatory compliance, and program effectiveness.
• Partnered with executive leadership, security professionals, legal advisors, human resources personnel, and external law enforcement agencies to identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risks.
• Developed and implemented security policies, emergency response procedures, and operational standards to strengthen organizational resilience and risk reduction.
• Led mission-wide incident response planning, crisis management exercises, and emergency preparedness initiatives involving internal and external stakeholders.
• Managed security compliance programs and audit readiness activities, ensuring adherence to federal regulations, organizational policies, and security standards.
• Translated, daily media news, threat information from open source or threat letters.
• Established strong partnerships across government agencies, law enforcement organizations, and security stakeholders to improve response coordination and information sharing.
• Supervised, trained, and mentored security personnel and investigative staff while promoting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Deputy Senior Security Investigator at U.S. Department of State — Embassy of the United States of America (2015-11 – 2019-08)

• Planned, managed, and led complex and sensitive investigations covering counterterrorism, fraud, internal affairs, EEO violations, sexual harassment, background checks, human rights, and accident investigations.
• Provided expert counsel to adjudication and review committees on matters of law enforcement, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and security policy.
• Managed investigation record-keeping and archiving program; maintained chain of custody and documentation integrity for all case files.
• Designed and delivered comprehensive training programs for mission personnel on security policy, safety procedures, and investigative protocols; onboarded and mentored new investigators.

Security Investigator at U.S. Department of State — Embassy of the United States of America (2006-09 – 2015-10)

• Conducted full background and suitability investigations on current and prospective employees for all agencies at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Served as control officer for SSA and VIP visits, coordinating week-long seminars, training events, and high-sensitivity programs involving time-critical logistics.
• Conducted special investigations as delegated by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office, including both background and criminal investigations.

Surveillance Detection Data Analyst (Administrative Assistant) at U.S. Department of State — Embassy of the United States of America (2006-01 – 2006-08)

• Compiled and analyzed surveillance data from multiple sources including written reports, digital photographs, video footage, and verbal accounts; converted all data to digital format using scanners, video capture hardware, and photo editing software.
• Built and maintained a structured database of surveillance intelligence; developed analytical reports identifying trends, patterns, and threat indicators.
• Provided administrative support including supply management, petty cash handling, payroll and travel finance, and customer service operations.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Information Systems (CIS) – London Metropolitan University