HHS names Beth Ann Killoran as its CIO

Beth Ann Killoran, who has served as acting chief information officer at the Department of Health and Human Services since October 2014, now has been given the full designation of the title.

In announcing the promotion in a statement, HHS Acting Deputy Secretary Mary K. Wakefield six times emphasized cybersecurity as a major focus for Killoran and the department.

HHS cyber initiatives include an education program to send weekly tips to all HHS staff; simulated phishing attempts to gain network credentials and help employees identify and report suspicious emails; an ongoing cybersecurity discussion series across the department; and a pilot project to identify future requirements for the HHS IT workforce.

Killoran has enjoyed a long IT career in the federal government. She spent nine years at the Department of Treasury, then moved to the Department of Homeland Security for 11 years in several roles that included managing the department acquisition portfolio; IT investments in the agency totaled more than $18 billion during her career there.