Commerce Sec Penny Pritzker Announces Kiersten Todt as Executive Director of Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity

Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced that she has selected Kiersten Todt to join the Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) team and serve as the Executive Director of the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. This Commission, created by Presidential Executive Order and supported by NIST and the Commerce Department along with its interagency partners, is part of the Cybersecurity National Action Plan that President Barack Obama announced on February 9 to develop near-term actions and a long-term strategy that will enhance cybersecurity awareness and protections, protect privacy, maintain public safety, support economic and national security, and empower Americans to better manage their safety online. The Commission will solicit input from thought leaders and experts across the country to develop its report by December 1, 2016, and provide actionable recommendations that can be used by the public and private sectors in the short and long-term.

Todt will be working directly with the Commission Chair Tom Donilon, former National Security Advisor to President Obama, Vice Chair Sam Palmisano, former CEO of IBM, and other Commissioners who will soon be selected. Prior to her appointment at the Commerce Department, Kiersten Todt was the President and Managing Partner of Liberty Group Ventures, LLC (LGV). She developed risk and crisis management solutions for cybersecurity, infrastructure, homeland security, emergency management, and higher education clients in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She has served in senior positions in both the executive and legislative branches of government.