By Jack Moore
Federal News Radio

The Homeland Security Department announced Mark Weatherford has been appointed deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity for the National Protection and Programs Directorate.

“Weatherford has a wealth of experience in information technology and cybersecurity at the federal, state and private sector levels,” DHS under secretary Rand Beers wrote in a blog post. “In his new role, he will focus on ensuring robust cybersecurity operations and communications resilience for the department.”

Weatherford previously served as the vice president and chief security officer for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, where he saw cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. He also served as chief information security officer in California’s Office of Information Security and is a former Naval Cryptologic Officer.

DHS created the deputy cyber position, last month, which the department said is a recognition of the growing importance of cybersecurity.

DHS has also seen its share of staff turnover in recent months.

In September, the department hired Suzanne Spaulding to take over NPDD’s deputy position, which had been vacated when Phil Reitinger left the government in June to work as the CISO of Sony. A week earlier, Sean McGurk, the director of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, announced he would leave later that month.

Weatherford will start in mid-November amid yet another personnel shuffle.

Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Cybersecurity Greg Schaffer will return to his position as assistant secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C). Bobbie Stempfley, who had filled that role, will return to her role as CS&C’s deputy assistant secretary.

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