Michael Gregg will take the role of interim CISO, according to Jecca Geffre, North Dakota Information Technology Department (NDIT)’s public information officer. Gregg, the department’s director of cyber operations, worked closely with Ford at NDIT. Gregg also led the Security Operations Center.
Geffre confirmed that Ford will rejoin the private sector in a role as CISO of Esri.
Geffre added NDIT is posting and advertising the CISO position through various channels for Ford's permanent replacement.
In a Sept. 20 LinkedIn post, Ford expressed gratitude for his time in the position, noting that he is "moving on to a new adventure.”
Ford became North Dakota's CISO in November 2019 after former CISO Sean Wiese took charge of the state’s Cyber Operations Center.
Ford was named one of GT’s Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers for 2021. During Ford’s tenure with North Dakota, he helped launch a program, defend.nd.gov, to provide free cybersecurity assessments and education to constituents as part of a statewide cybersecurity campaign.
