Federal CISO to leave post

Chris DeRusha, federal chief information security officer, is leaving his post at the Office of Management and Budget, OMB confirmed to Nextgov/FCW. 

DeRusha has served in the CISO role since his appointment in early 2021. He also holds the deputy national cyber director for federal cybersecurity post for the Office of the National Cyber Director. 

During his time as federal cyber chief, DeRusha led initiatives including the federal zero trust strategy, software security efforts and more. 

“Chris has been instrumental in strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity, protecting America’s critical infrastructure, and improving the digital defenses of the federal government,” Clare Martorana, the federal CIO, said in a statement. “I wish him the best, and know he will continue to serve as a leading voice within the cybersecurity community.”

“As Deputy National Cyber Director with ONCD – while continuing his excellent work as Federal CISO – he has been a trusted and valued partner,” said National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. in a statement. “Chris’s keen insights, experience, and judgment have been integral to the work we’ve done and what we will continue to do to strengthen our Nation’s cyber infrastructure.”

Before joining OMB in 2021, DeRusha worked as the CISO for the Biden for President campaign, and before that he worked as the chief security officer for Michigan. DeRusha has also previously worked in industry, in addition to holding government positions at OMB and the Department of Homeland Security. DeRusha won Fed 100 honors in 2023, largely for his work implementing governmentwide cybersecurity directives. 

OMB didn’t provide details on the exact timing of DeRusha's planned departure, or information about who will be taking on the CISO role in his absence.