Christian Schnedler

Christian Schnedler is a recognized counterterrorism and cybersecurity expert who specializes in national security and critical infrastructure protection. He is the CEO and Co-Founder of Rilian, an agentic systems integrator and technology provider enabling the secure adoption and expert use of cutting-edge cyber and defense technologies. He also serves as a strategic advisor to multiple private equity firms investing in defense and cybersecurity technologies.

Christian’s career spans the public and private sectors, including leading IBM’s Public Safety practice for the Middle East and Africa, serving as Director of Strategic Technology Programs at the New York Police Department, and operating as Chief Information Security Officer and Cyber Practice Lead at the growth equity firm WestCap. He holds an MBA from NYU Stern, a Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, and the CISSP, PMP, and CSEP professional certifications.

In 2024, Christian co-founded Rilian to advance the secure adoption and expert use of cutting-edge cyber and defense technologies for the United States and its allies. Through Caspian, its agentic orchestration layer, Rilian integrates capabilities developed by venture-backed disruptors in global innovation hubs with mission-ready technologies developed out of operational necessity on the front lines of modern geopolitical conflict. Rilian is headquartered in Northern Virginia, and Christian splits his time between there and his home in the United Arab Emirates.