<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-06-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001487101</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KEYW HOLDING CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KEYW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001552709</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Alber Michael J.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7740 MILESTONE PARKWAY, SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HANOVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MD</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>21076</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CFO/EVP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Exhibit List === Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Sarah E. Roberts as Attorney-in-Fact for Michael J. Alber</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-06-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
