NASA picks deputy CIO for IT security

Valerie Burkes, former Associate CIO for Cyber and Privacy Policy and Oversight at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was named by NASA CIO Linda Cureton as Deputy CIO for IT Security at NASA.

NASA Chief Information Officer Linda Cureton has chosen  Valerie Burks to be the new Deputy CIO for IT Security at the agency, according to sources.

Burks comes to NASA from the Department of Agriculture where she was the Associate CIO for Cyber and Privacy Policy and Oversight since 2009. According to a NASA announcement she managed managed Federal Information Security Management Act reporting, governance, risk management, crisis management, strategic oversight and compliance expertise.

"Valarie has a significant background and experience in IT security. However, it was her in-depth understanding of communications and her holistic approach to IT security that won her the job,” Cureton said in a written announcement.

Burks has IT management experience at the Office of Management and Budget, Department of Commerce and Government Accountability Office. She improved USDA Systems by helping to develop and implement the USDA Certification and Accreditation Center Of Excellence.

Burks has degrees of Bachelor of Science from University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Master Of Science from University of Maryland, University College.

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