Energy CIO wins more access

The Energy Department chief information officer soon will have a direct line to the top of the department's management chain, thanks to some restructuring recently approved by Secretary Spencer Abraham.

In a recent memo, Abraham elevated the reporting authority of the CIO's office directly to the Office of the Secretary. Deputy Secretary Frank Blake, who now serves as Energy's chief operating officer, will be responsible for direct line management of the CIO's office.

"This is recognition of the importance that the secretary has placed on information technology issues," said Howard Landon, the department's acting CIO. "This is very good news to us."

The Office of the CIO previously reported to the director of Security and Emergency Operations. That relationship was established in the summer of 1999, when the department placed a significant emphasis on security, including cybersecurity, Landon said.

The goal is to have the management structure changes completed by Oct. 1, according to Abraham.