NRC ANNOUNCES CHIEF OF NEW COMPUTER SECURITY OFFICE
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the establishment of the Computer Security Office (CSO) and has selected Patrick D. Howard as the Chief Information Security Officer to lead the new office effective March 17.

Howard will report to the Deputy Executive Director for Information Services and Chief Information Officer, and serve as the focal point for information technology (IT) security. He will provide vision, leadership, and oversight in developing, promulgating, and implementing an agency IT security strategy. This organizational change meets the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) requirements as they relate to IT security.

The CSO has three core groups: 1) cyber situational awareness, analysis, and response team; 2) FISMA compliance and oversight team; and 3) the policy, standards and training team. The current Office of Information Services will remain intact with the exception of the IT security-related functions.

Howard has more than 35 years of experience in the security industry, and has worked in the computer security field for the past 16 years. Prior to joining the NRC, he worked as the Chief Information Security Officer at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD) where he managed HUD’s enterprise-wide IT security program. There he led HUD to a first ever “A+” score on Congress’ 2006 FISMA Report Card and was recognized as a 2007 Fed 100 winner for his accomplishments in government IT. Prior to joining HUD, Howard was employed by the Titan Corporation, supporting the Department of Transportation serving as the department’s certification and accreditation program manager.

Howard received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Arts degree in international relations from Boston University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a certified information security manager. In addition, Howard is co-author of the Total CISSP Exam Prep Book, and authored Building and Implementing a Security Certification and Accreditation Program. He is a member of the Federal Systems Security Governance Board and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium’s Government Advisory Board.

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Tuesday, April 08, 2008