Erik Avakian

Erik Avakian

Greater Harrisburg Area
3K followers 500+ connections

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About

A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified in Risk and…

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Experience

Education

Licenses & Certifications

Publications

  • Featured - Routefifty.com Interview

    www.routefifty.com

    Pa.’s Cybersecurity Team Is ‘Talking About Projects That Actually Enable the Business’

    See publication

  • Featured - Cybersecurity: Lessons from 5 States

    www.govtech.com

    With protection from cyberthreats an ever-present concern for IT leaders at all levels, five states presented their approaches at NASCIO's annual conference in Austin.

    See publication

  • Featured - NASCIO 2017: State IT Experts Explore the Human Side of Cybersecurity

    statetechmagazine.com

    Security technology is important, but states show how people can be your biggest asset in protecting your organization and preventing attacks.

    See publication

  • Featured - Cybersecurity Made Simple

    SC Magazine

    In a world of ever-increasingly complex technologies, some experts advocate a move to simplify.

    See publication

  • Featured - Pennsylvania CISO Erik Avakian is Developing Strategies to Improve Security for All States

    Government Technology Magazine

    As chief information security officer for the state, Avakian is aligning with nationwide security initiatives, putting them in place to build momentum at the state level.

    See publication

  • Featured - State Implementation of Act and Adjust (Webcast) : A Call to Action for Governors for Cybersecurity

    National Governors Association

    (Webcast) The increasing frequency of cyber-attacks and the discovery of exploitable vulnerabilities affecting federal, state and personal systems reinforces the message of the NGA Center for Best Practices’ Act and Adjust: A Call to Action for Governors for Cybersecurity. The webcast provided different state perspectives on how they have begun or plan to adopt the recommendations of The Call to Action. Additionally, the webcast highlighted how different states allocate responsibility for…

    (Webcast) The increasing frequency of cyber-attacks and the discovery of exploitable vulnerabilities affecting federal, state and personal systems reinforces the message of the NGA Center for Best Practices’ Act and Adjust: A Call to Action for Governors for Cybersecurity. The webcast provided different state perspectives on how they have begun or plan to adopt the recommendations of The Call to Action. Additionally, the webcast highlighted how different states allocate responsibility for cybersecurity among individuals and agencies.

    Panelists

    Erik Avakian, chief information security officer, Pennsylvania
    David Cagigal, chief information officer, Wisconsin
    Mark Ghilarducci, director, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California
    Sanjeev “Sonny” Bhagowalia, chief advisor on technology and cybersecurity, Hawaii

    See publication

  • Pennsylvania Cyber Leaders Share Insights

    Dan Lohrmann / govtech.com

    In 2014, that Pennsylvania leadership continues in the area of cybersecurity, and this blog will let you hear the latest executive insights in an interview format with their top government leaders. From identity management to scanning Web applications for vulnerabilities to building a new collaboration portal, Pennsylvania has become a global leader in deploying new technology that benefits government services.

    See publication

  • StateScoopTV Interview: Erik Avakian, CISO, PA

    StateScoopTV

    Pennsylvania Chief Information Security Officer Erik Avakian discusses the latest in cyber security trends in this interview with StateScoopTV.

    See publication

  • StateScoopTV Interview: Erik Avakian, CISO, PA

    StateScoopTV

    Erik Avakian, Chief Information Security Officer, Pennsylvania, discusses issues around cloud computing, including "free" services, legal hurdles, terms, pilots and vendor partnerships.

    See publication

  • Podcast - How government agencies can ensure security of websites

    Federal News Radio

    The National Strategy for Trusted Identities is paving the way for government websites to ensure online visitors are who they say they are. Erik Avakian, chief information security officer of Pennsylvania, told Federal Drive with Tom Temin how the program began and how it promotes security.

    See publication
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Honors & Awards

  • 2018 StateScoop 50 Awards - State Cybersecurity Leader

    StateScoop

    2018 StateScoop 50 Awards - State Cybersecurity Leader
    State Cybersecurity Leader - The state leader who demonstrates a passion and focus on keeping systems secure and thinking about security in the big picture of state IT

    The StateScoop 50 Awards annually honor the best and the brightest who make state and local government more efficient and effective. These awards allow us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our peers and acknowledge their tireless efforts to make a…

    2018 StateScoop 50 Awards - State Cybersecurity Leader
    State Cybersecurity Leader - The state leader who demonstrates a passion and focus on keeping systems secure and thinking about security in the big picture of state IT

    The StateScoop 50 Awards annually honor the best and the brightest who make state and local government more efficient and effective. These awards allow us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our peers and acknowledge their tireless efforts to make a positive impact in the government IT community and in public service.

  • Honor/Award Recipient - 2017 Thomas M. Jarrett Cybersecurity Scholarship

    National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)

    http://statescoop.com/nascio-announces-new-president-honors-standout-innovators-in-2017

    The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded the Thomas M. Jarrett Cybersecurity Scholarship to exceptional state Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) for the 2017 Annual Conference in Austin. This is the fifth year for the scholarship program, which was created to pay homage to Thomas M. Jarrett, past president of NASCIO (2004 - 2005), for his passion for…

    http://statescoop.com/nascio-announces-new-president-honors-standout-innovators-in-2017

    The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) has awarded the Thomas M. Jarrett Cybersecurity Scholarship to exceptional state Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) for the 2017 Annual Conference in Austin. This is the fifth year for the scholarship program, which was created to pay homage to Thomas M. Jarrett, past president of NASCIO (2004 - 2005), for his passion for cybersecurity. The scholarship grants current CISOs the opportunity to attend the NASCIO Annual Conference and contribute to the national dialogue on cybersecurity and related issues.

    The 2017 Thomas M. Jarrett Cybersecurity Scholarship recipient, Erik Avakian, Chief Information Security Officer, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was nominated by John MacMillan, Deputy Secretary of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania)

  • Top 17 State & Local Cybersecurity Leaders to Watch

    StateScoop

    http://statescoop.com/monthly/top-state-local-cybersecurity-leaders-to-watch

    Creating an ultimate list of state and local cybersecurity professionals was beyond the scope of this project. Instead, this is a cross-section of government’s best state and local cybersecurity talent, assembled through StateScoop's own stories and reporting; from the recommendations of leaders across the state and local government technology industry; and by the suggestions of nonprofits and associations…

    http://statescoop.com/monthly/top-state-local-cybersecurity-leaders-to-watch

    Creating an ultimate list of state and local cybersecurity professionals was beyond the scope of this project. Instead, this is a cross-section of government’s best state and local cybersecurity talent, assembled through StateScoop's own stories and reporting; from the recommendations of leaders across the state and local government technology industry; and by the suggestions of nonprofits and associations across the space.

    This list is not only a celebration of those in state and local government who work constantly to keep critical information and systems secure, but also a means of connecting this federated community of IT security professionals who are often too busy to share what they’re thinking and working on with their counterparts across the country.

  • Named #5 in the 2016 Security 500 Rankings (Government (Federal, State and Local))

    www.securitymagazine.com

    Which security programs are taking the lead? These 500 enterprises have been ranked through metrics to determine the forerunners in 18 sectors.

    https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/87530-the-2016-security-500-rankings

  • Top-10 Influencers in Government Security for 2015

    GovInfoSecurity.com

    http://www.govinfosecurity.com/top-10-influencers-in-government-security-a-7845?rf=2015-02-02

  • Winner - 2014 Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Award for State Government

    Center for Digital Government

    http://www.govtech.com/security/2014-Cybersecurity-Leadership-and-Innovation-Awards.html

    Winners of the 2014 Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Awards have demonstrated they are serious about cybersecurity defense by putting into place systems, practices and policies that keep information safe for citizens. In the state government category, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Enterprise Information Security Office was recognized for the continued operation of its Commonwealth…

    http://www.govtech.com/security/2014-Cybersecurity-Leadership-and-Innovation-Awards.html

    Winners of the 2014 Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Awards have demonstrated they are serious about cybersecurity defense by putting into place systems, practices and policies that keep information safe for citizens. In the state government category, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Enterprise Information Security Office was recognized for the continued operation of its Commonwealth Application Certification and Accreditation (CA2) Process, which facilitates an annual cost savings of $38 million.

Organizations

  • Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC)

    Executive Committee Member

    - Present

    The MS-ISAC Executive Committee comprises representatives who are elected by the MS-ISAC members to assist in providing strategic guidance and recommendations for the MS-ISAC. The Executive Committee votes on matters brought to its attention coming from workgroups or the MS-ISAC members at-large. https://msisac.cisecurity.org/about/executive-committee/

  • (ISC)²

    U.S. Government Advisory Council (USGAC) member

    - Present

    (ISC)²’s Global Advisory Councils represent a group of senior-level information security professionals in their respective region who advise (ISC)² on industry initiatives, policies, views, standards and concerns. The goals of the advisory councils are to offer deeper insights into the needs of the information security community in each respective region; discuss matters of policy or initiatives that drive professional development; provide feedback on (ISC)² programs, activities and…

    (ISC)²’s Global Advisory Councils represent a group of senior-level information security professionals in their respective region who advise (ISC)² on industry initiatives, policies, views, standards and concerns. The goals of the advisory councils are to offer deeper insights into the needs of the information security community in each respective region; discuss matters of policy or initiatives that drive professional development; provide feedback on (ISC)² programs, activities and opportunities; and make introductions to influential organizations, bodies, institutions within government and industry with which (ISC)² should engage. https://www.isc2.org/innerpage.aspx?id=8255

  • National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO)

    Security and Privacy Commitee Memeber

    - Present

    The committee focuses on the intersection between security and privacy to help state CIOs formulate high-level security and data protection policies and technical controls to secure the states' information systems and protect the personal and sensitive information within them. http://www.nascio.org/committees/security/

  • Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC)

    Member

    - Present

    The Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, established the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) July of 2003 in an effort to provide law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth with one central point of contact for their information needs. Through the PaCIC, trained analysts provide state police members and federal, state, and municipal law enforcement officers with access to intelligence information, investigative data, and public source information…

    The Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, established the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) July of 2003 in an effort to provide law enforcement agencies throughout the Commonwealth with one central point of contact for their information needs. Through the PaCIC, trained analysts provide state police members and federal, state, and municipal law enforcement officers with access to intelligence information, investigative data, and public source information 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Analysts also provide investigative support by analyzing complex information and collating it into intelligence summaries, organization charts, link analysis, time event analysis, and other manageable, professional products. The PaCIC is an attempt to provide law enforcement officers a central point of contact for information needed during traffic stops, investigative detentions, and other law enforcement encounters and investigations. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/psp/4451/hide_-_psp_pacic_overview/481156

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