Here’s the release from the Bureau of Reclamation (Peter Soeth):
The Bureau of Reclamation announced it has selected Joyce Harris as the senior advisor for information assurance, industrial control systems. Harris will serve as the lead on intergovernmental initiatives and requirements associated with cybersecurity of facilities and systems related to hydropower delivery.
“Attacks against critical infrastructure systems are on the rise, increasing the risks to Reclamation’s water and power systems throughout the West,” said Director of Information Resources Karla Smiley. “Joyce has the necessary experience and background to lead this new office dedicated to protecting these critical networks.”
Harris is currently Reclamation’s chief information security officer where she leads Reclamation’s information technology and industrial control system cybersecurity program including personnel, budget, policy enforcement, incident response and security awareness. She also leads a staff of highly technical cybersecurity specialists.
After several years in the private sector, she began her federal career with the Bureau of Land Management in 2007 as an information technology security specialist before joining Reclamation in 2010 to perform a similar role and serve as the North American Electric Reliability Council Critical Infrastructure Program compliance manager. In this position, she led internal security assessments, advised senior management on security issues, performed incident response activities, and led external audit activities.
Harris graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver [Go Roadrunners!], Summa Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems/Political Science/Public Administration.