FEMA's new CISO comes aboard

Donna Bennett, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's new chief information security officer, started her job on March 10.

Bennett reports to FEMA CIO Adrian Gardner and will serve as the division chief for the Office of Information Assurance, according to a FEMA staff announcement.

In accordance with the Federal Information Security Management Act and subordinate regulations, Bennett is responsible for all aspects of the agency's information security program, FEMA said.

Bennett had been the National Defense University's senior information assurance officer, which gave her responsibility for NDU's information systems in Washington, D.C., and at campuses in Norfolk, Va., and Fort Bragg, N.C.

Gardner said Bennett has held several high-level positions at the Defense Department, including a stint as information assurance portfolio manager for European Command and Africa Command.

Bennett earned a bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Saint Leo University and a master of science degree in information assurance from Norwich University. She is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Service Development Seminar. While on active duty in the Navy, Bennett was named Sailor of the Year at Naval Amphibious Base, according to the FEMA announcement.