Beth Anne Killoran Will Lead Work on IT, Cybersecurity as HHS Chief Information Officer

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Beth Anne Killoran, previously acting Deputy Chief Information Officer, will now serve as the agency’s CIO to lead work on IT and cybersecurity.

In her previous position, Killoran also served as the executive director for the Office of IT Strategy, Policy and Governance, where she was responsible for the IT capital planning process, which encompasses the collection, analysis, tracking and reporting of $7 billion of IT investments across the department.  Prior to joining HHS, she served 11 years at the Department of Homeland Security in a number of leadership roles throughout the organization.

In a blog post published Friday, July 8, Mary Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N., HHS Acting Deputy Secretary wrote, “As our new CIO, Beth will focus sharply on collaborating with offices in HHS, and partners outside of the Department. She’ll direct high priority projects like our work on cybersecurity and privacy protection. She’ll engage in strategic IT investment planning, to make sure our resources are going to the most productive places. And she’ll keep our entire workforce at HHS moving safely and securely into the digital age.”

Wakefield also outlined a number of ways Killoran will lead HHS’ work to support a cyber-savvy workforce, including the Cybersecurity Communication, Awareness, Response and Education Initiative and a phishing campaign program, in which Killoran’s team will conduct simulated, real-world phishing attempts in a safe environment. AS CIO, Killoran also will pilot a workforce development project to identify and define the current and future requirements for an IT workforce.

In the blog post, Wakefield wrote, “From the beginning of the Administration, President Obama emphasized that cybersecurity is one of the most important challenges we face as a nation. That is why here at HHS we have put into place a broad strategy to strengthen our IT services and cybersecurity, and to tackle today’s increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. To protect all of our IT systems—from desktops to the Personally Identifiable Information and Protected Health Information our Department works with we need more than an investment in funding or new technology. We need a cyber-savvy workforce.”

“That’s why I’m pleased to announce that Beth Anne Killoran has agreed to lead our work on IT and cybersecurity as the new Chief Information Officer at HHS, starting next week,” Wakefield wrote.