The Department of Transformation and Shared Services (TSS) names Nolan Leatherwood as the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Division of Information Systems (DIS).  Leatherwood has served as Interim CISO since April 2018.

During this time, Leatherwood led a cyber security initiative to implement a statewide endpoint monitoring solution to safeguard the state network from potential threats. This solution strengthened the overall maturity of the state’s cyber security program and reduces the state’s risk for data loss and compromise.

“Nolan has proved to be a key player on the cyber security team during the past two years and I am proud to name him CISO,” said Secretary Amy Fecher. “Nolan’s background and experience at DIS will provide leadership to this critical state leadership position, as his team continues to protect and secure the state’s IT infrastructure.”

Leatherwood started his career at the Division of Information Systems in 2001, working as an Intern before accepting full-time employment in 2002. He has served as a subject matter expert on cyber security legislation and budget proposals, worked on the State’s strategic security plan, and facilitated statewide security working group meetings.  In his new role as CISO, Nolan will work to develop and implement statewide security standards, set policy and procedures focused on information and data security, and work to ensure all state information systems are functional and secure.

In June, Leatherwood was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board to enhance the state’s technology infrastructure for the management of COVID-19.