After a national search, Ben Myers has been named the chief information security officer for UGA. His appointment takes effect immediately.
Myers has been serving as interim CISO at the university since July 2016, where he previously served as an IT associate director for UGA’s Office of Information Security. In that role, Myers directed vulnerability management, risk management and security compliance measures from UGA’s Office of Information Security.
Myers also served as chief information security officer for the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which administers student financial aid for postsecondary education, including the HOPE programs. While at the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Myers led the corporate information security program and the security strategy for the agency.
“The University of Georgia has made tremendous strides in adding additional layers of security to protect its information assets. Ben has been an important part of developing and implementing these controls, and I am delighted that he is willing to take on a greater leadership role,” said Timothy M. Chester, UGA’s vice president for information technology.
The CISO serves as UGA’s senior information security executive who advises senior leadership on emerging security threats; changes in regulatory requirements to protect research, student and financial data; and designs strategies to protect the university’s data.