Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Director, Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (OCISO)

OCIO Organization

Cheri Gatland-Lightner

Cheri Gatland-Lightner began working at CDC in 1987 as a computer specialist in the Information Resources Management Office. Her earlier background in information technology focused on systems and website administration and database systems. In 2004 Cheri joined the Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (OCISO) shortly after the passage of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and she has since been dedicated to information security. In 2008 Cheri became the first Deputy CISO for CDC and has managed the ongoing operations of OCISO in the areas of operations, incident detection and response, audit, compliance and education, and cybersecurity and privacy policy.

Cheri received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Georgia Tech and Masters in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University. She holds certifications in the security, privacy and project management fields including CISSP, CRISC, CIPP/G and PMP.