Born in 1945 in Zvenigorod, Moscow Region.

Education: university degree in Engineering.

Since 1971: work for state security agencies.

1974-1992: held various posts in the Foreign Intelligence Service and spent three and a half years working in South East Asia.

1992-1997: Head of several FSB district subdivisions in St Petersburg.

1997: Deputy Head of the FSB Directorate for St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

Joined the FSB headquarters as First Deputy Head of the Economic Counter-Intelligence Department.

May 18, 2000: appointed Head of the Federal Guard Service.

General of the Army.

Holds state decorations.

Married, with a son.