New York ITS Names Chris Desain as Information Security Officer

Earlier today, the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) appointed cybersecurity veteran Chris Desain as the state’s newest chief information security officer.

Desain brings 24 years of experience to the role, including building the New York State Police Cyber Program, crafting FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) regulations and serving as the nation’s first civilian CJIS information security officer.

His most recent experience, though, includes serving as director for the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Counter-Terrorism Cyber Incident Response Team. Before that, he was director of cyber command at ITS, during which he created what is known as the “Red Team” to establish proactive threat response to help ensure timely action and remediation of potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Now, he will use all this experience to achieve the following in his new role: monitor and maintain the security of New York’s information systems and data from cyber intrusion and attacks.

“With his wealth of experience and passion for cyber, Chris Desain will be an extraordinary addition to our team, and will continue to ensure that cybersecurity is a priority all throughout New York,” said New York state CIO Angelo Riddick in a release. “It is more important than ever that our state is prepared for and can quickly respond to today’s ever-growing and ever-evolving cyber challenges, and Chris Desain can do just that.”