Liz Lewis-Lee
I am currently the CIO at the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. I have spent the majority of my career in state IT, from Operations to Security and now management. I was born and raised in the PNW, have two kids, two dogs, a cat and a husband.
Session
In a state agency responsible for fighting wildland fires (including a fleet of drones, aircraft, and firetrucks) and responding to regional natural disasters, securing sensitive data and IT infrastructure is critical and challenging. From protecting endangered species data to ensuring secure computing at the most remote locations, a cybersecurity program in such an agency requires speed, flexibility, and hand-tailored problem solving. This session will share how the Washington State Dept of Natural Resources built a cybersecurity program from the ground up, addressing unique challenges like risk tolerance, rapid deployment, and balancing security with mission-critical operations.