Jen Ellis MBE: Bridging Cybersecurity Advocacy and Policy

Jen Ellis, Vice President of Community and Public Affairs at Rapid7, has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her outstanding contributions to cybersecurity research and policy advocacy. The honor recognizes nearly two decades of work translating technical security realities into actionable legislative language, helping governments understand the implications of decisions around vulnerability disclosure, encryption, and critical infrastructure protection. Her role has positioned her as a rare bridge between the often insular cybersecurity community and the political machinery that shapes digital governance. Ellis's advocacy work intensified in the mid-2010s as governments worldwide began debating encryption backdoors, vulnerability equities processes, and offensive cyber operations. She became a prominent voice in campaigns opposing client-side scanning mandates and weakening end-to-end encryption, frequently testifying before parliamentary committees and collaborating with organizations like the Cyber Threat Alliance. Her technical fluency allows her to articulate complex concepts—such as how lawful intercept proposals create systemic vulnerabilities—to policymakers who may lack deep security backgrounds. Colleagues credit her with helping shape more nuanced legislation around responsible disclosure and coordinated vulnerability handling. Beyond policy work, Ellis has championed collaborative defense models that bring together researchers, vendors, and government agencies. She has been a vocal supporter of bug bounty programs as a mechanism for responsible vulnerability disclosure and has consistently advocated for stronger privacy protections in emerging technologies, including IoT device standards and AI governance frameworks. Her efforts extend to encouraging greater transparency from technology vendors about breach disclosures and security incident response timelines, arguing that timely, honest communication strengthens collective defense. The MBE adds Ellis to a growing list of cybersecurity professionals receiving formal state recognition for public service. Industry observers note that honors like this signal mainstream acknowledgment of cybersecurity as critical national infrastructure, not merely a technical niche. As governments grapple with regulating artificial intelligence, securing elections, and managing state-sponsored threats from advanced persistent threat groups, Ellis's continued advocacy ensures that technical expertise informs political decision-making. For professionals concerned about how policy intersects with personal security, her career underscores why citizen engagement on issues like encryption and data breach notification laws remains essential.