Poppy Mills/NDDOT
Chris Gergen, North Dakota’s new CISO, brings nearly two decades of cybersecurity experience with him, including more than five years with North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT).
The state has taken a multipronged approach to cybersecurity, educating the next generation of the cyber workforce and working to obtain the resources to empower a more proactive strategy.
Gergen has worked in several cyber leadership roles since joining NDIT in 2019. He served as its cyber analysis and response lead and then the director of cyber operations before taking on the interim CISO role in February, according to LinkedIn. In cyber analysis and response, he helped establish its Cyber Operations Center; in his most recent position, Gergen worked to strengthen North Dakota’s security posture.
As the new state CISO, Gergen will lead on cybersecurity strategy through a people-centered perspective. He will be charged with leading NDIT in delivering secure and reliable technology services to citizens, government agencies and external partners.
“Chris is not only a highly capable cybersecurity leader — he’s a mentor, a trusted voice, and a strong advocate for every individual on his team,” CIO Corey Mock said in a statement.
Prior to joining NDIT, Gergen held technology roles with the Bank of North Dakota, Deloitte, and the Center for Innovation. He has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy with a minor in information systems from the University of North Dakota.
“It’s an honor to serve the state I’ve proudly called home for nearly my entire life,” Gergen, who grew up in Jamestown and now lives in rural Bismarck, said in a statement.
