NASCIO Honors Virginia State CISO Michael Watson
New Orleans, LA., Tuesday, October 1, 2024 — The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has named Commonwealth of Virginia chief information security officer (CISO) Michael Watson as the recipient of the 2024 Thomas M. Jarrett State Cybersecurity Leadership Award. The program was created to pay homage to Tom Jarrett, late past president of NASCIO (2004 – 2005), for his passion for cybersecurity and honors state CISOs for exceptional accomplishments in their field.
Michael has been Virginia CISO since 2012 and has played a crucial role in promoting cybersecurity, advancing the state’s cybersecurity posture and implementing best practices. Under the leadership of Watson, the Commonwealth of Virginia has significantly enhanced its cybersecurity posture, implementing a comprehensive zero trust strategy and a robust cybersecurity plan to protect citizen data and manage risks. Watson strengthened the Commonwealth’s defenses through improved identity and access management, vulnerability management and advanced security training.
The Commonwealth, guided by Watson’s leadership, aims to further solidify its whole-of-state cybersecurity framework by:
- Maximizing funding provided in federal cybersecurity grants
- Further developing partnerships with state and local organizations
- Lessening strains on state agencies by providing robust cybersecurity training
- Procuring and deploying innovative tools to maintain a resilient and secure technology environment in the Commonwealth
To view past recipients of the Thomas M. Jarrett State Cybersecurity Leadership Award, visit nascio.org/awards.
Contact
Meredith Ward
Deputy Executive Director
National Association of State Chief Information Officers
859.514.9209
[email protected]
