Commerce Emphasizing Innovation and Efficiency in IT Security Operations

You missed it! The Department of Commerce's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) hosted its inaugural Innovating Security Conference to increase knowledge and awareness of various initiatives, exchange information and ideas, and engage in discussions on ways to further protect and strengthen the security posture of the department’s information systems.
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IT Reform at the U.S. Department of Commerce

The IT community at the U.S. Department of Commerce has been hard at work implementing Federal IT Reform as outlined by U.S. Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra last December. After only six months, our list of accomplishments is impressive, but there is still much to be done to meet the ambitious goals set forth in the 25 Point Implementation Plan to Reform Federal IT Management.
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Cyber Security Strategic Planning

A collaborative effort conducted in partnership with the Department of Commerce CIO Council and the DOC IT security community focused on identifying cyber security priorities, resources, needs, and plans to enhance the Department’s IT security programs and posture.

Virtual CommerceConnect

Development of an IT infrastructure to support CommerceConnect, an initiative launched by Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke in October 2009 aimed at creating a virtual “one-stop shop” for information, counseling, and government services that can help U.S. businesses around the country transform themselves into globally competitive enterprises.

Dr. Simon Szykman was named Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Commerce in May 2010. As the Department’s CIO, Dr. Szykman is responsible for providing leadership, establishing policy, and maintaining oversight for the information technology investments that support the diverse portfolio of programs across the Commerce Department’s dozen bureaus. Dr. Szykman most recently served over three years as the CIO of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he began his professional career as part of the agency’s technical staff.

Prior to his work at Commerce, Dr. Szykman served as the Director of the National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD), where he was responsible for the coordination of planning, budget, and assessment activities for the Federal NITRD Program. In this role, Dr. Szykman reported directly to the National Science and Technology Council and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy–where he also worked temporarily as a Senior Policy Analyst, focusing on technology-related issues including cyber security and high-end computing.

Dr. Szykman has also worked at the Department of Homeland Security as the Department’s first Director of Cyber Security R&D. There he led the development of cyber security R&D plans, programs, and budgets in support of the Department’s mission, as well as the development of the Government’s first interagency Federal Plan for Cyber Security R&D.

Dr. Szykman received PhD and Master of Science degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Engineering Management degree from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rochester.