Federal Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Deputy National Cyber Director (NCD) Chris DeRusha is leaving his post after nearly three and a half years, two White House spokespeople confirmed to MeriTalk.
DeRusha has been at the White House since the beginning of the Biden-Harris administration and served as the CISO of the Biden-Harris 2020 election campaign.
“Since day one of the Biden Administration, Chris has been instrumental in strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity, protecting America’s critical infrastructure, and improving the digital defenses of the Federal government,” Federal Chief Information Officer Clare Martorana said in a statement. “I wish him the best, and know he will continue to serve as a leading voice within the cybersecurity community.”
DeRusha worked as CISO for the state of Michigan ahead of his time with the Biden-Harris administration and spent more than five years in cybersecurity positions at the Department of Homeland Security from 2009-2014. He also spent two years as a senior cyber advisor for the White House from 2015-2017.
“From the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, and even before, Chris DeRusha has been a steady, guiding leader. As Deputy National Cyber Director with ONCD – while continuing his excellent work as Federal CISO – he has been a trusted and valued partner,” NCD Harry Coker said in an emailed statement to MeriTalk.
“Chris’s keen insights, experience, and judgement have been integral to the work we’ve done and what we will continue to do to strengthen our Nation’s cyber infrastructure,” Coker said.
“I’m grateful for his commitment to the American people and to the Biden-Harris Administration,” he added, “All of us at ONCD wish him the very best in his next chapter.”
DeRusha has played a key role in advancing many of the White House’s cyber priorities, including the creation and implementation of the first Federal zero trust strategy, and overseeing the Federal agency responsibilities outlined in Biden’s cybersecurity executive order – particularly around software security and phishing resistant multi-factor authentication, according to his LinkedIn.
The cyber expert also chairs the Federal Acquisition Security Council and is a member of the Technology Modernization Fund Board.
It is not clear exactly when DeRusha will depart the White House, or where he is headed next.
“Chris DeRusha, his teams at OMB and ONCD, and his partners at CISA and across the CISO community have made significant strides in making our federal government more secure and resilient,” said Ross Nodurft, executive director at the Alliance for Digital Innovation and former OMB cyber chief. “In many cases, Chris has guided federal agencies into security postures and architectures that are ahead of many commercial companies.”
“He has driven governance processes that prioritize risk management and helped make cybersecurity a consideration in the beginning of technology decisions as opposed to a bolted on afterthought,” Nodurft said. “The government will miss his leadership, energy and vision.”
