About HEISC
The Cybersecurity Program provides resources and events that are created by, and for, the higher ed information security, cybersecurity, and privacy communities.
The program is informed by our EDUCAUSE member-led Higher Education Information Security Council (HEISC), an organized, engaged, passionate, and experienced team of higher education information security and privacy professionals.
HEISC helps higher ed institutions improve information security governance, compliance, data protection, and privacy programs. Established in July 2000 to provide coordination for higher education, HEISC accomplishes its work through volunteer groups supported by EDUCAUSE staff, as well as collaborations with other organizations that address information security and privacy in higher education.
HEISC members develop and promote information security leadership, awareness, and understanding; effective practices and policies; and guidance for the protection of critical data, IT assets, and infrastructures. Read the HEISC charter for more information.
Major Areas of Focus
- Coordinate the Security Professionals Conference and other professional learning events.
- Revise and refine the Information Security Guide, which provides effective practices and timely guidance on hot topics for colleges and universities.
- Develop and promote tools to help campuses improve their cybersecurity and privacy programs.
- Foster communication and networking within the community.
- Provide cybersecurity and privacy expertise on issues of public policy affecting higher education.
HEISC Advisory Committee
The HEISC Advisory Committee is responsible for ensuring progress in meeting the strategic priorities of the council. To accomplish this, the committee creates and monitors working groups and sponsors other activities, annually reviews the strategic priorities to see if changes are needed, and annually sets objectives for the working groups that will produce tangible outcomes furthering the goals of the council.
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Jon Allen
Associate Vice President CIO & CISO, Baylor University
HECVAT Users Community Group Co-Chair
Nichole Arbino
Communities Program Manager, EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE Staff Liaison
Cristina Blanton
Chief Privacy & Data Protection Officer, University of Texas System
Higher Education Chief Privacy Officers Community Group Co-Chair
Patricia Clay
Chief Information Officer, Hudson County Community College
HEISC Co-Chair
Lanita Collette
Deputy CIO, CISO, The University of Arizona
HEISC Co-Chair
Kristen Dietiker
Chief Information Security Officer, Santa Clara University
Awareness and Education Community Group Co-Chair
Nadim El-Khoury
Director, Networks, Systems, Infrastructure, and Information Security Officer, Springfield College
800-171 Compliance Community Group Co-Chair-
Charlie Escue
Extended Information Security Manager, Indiana University
HECVAT Users Community Group Co-Chair -
Scott Fendley
Information Security Engineer/Architect, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Technologies, Operations, and Practices Community Group Co-Chair -
Jay Gallman
Security IT Analyst, Duke University
800-171 Compliance Community Group Co-Chair -
Susan Grajek
Vice President, Communities and Research, EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE Staff Liaison
Sean Hagan
Chief Information Security Officer, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Governance, Risk, and Compliance Community Group Co-Chair
Harry Hoffman
AVP/CISO, Northeastern University
800-171 Compliance Community Group Co-Chair
Jonathan Kimmitt
Chief Information Security Officer, University of Tulsa
Privacy Community Group Co-Chair-
Bryan Leber
Vice President of Professional Services, Fischer Identity LLC
Nick Lewis
Program Manager for Security and Identity, Internet2
Internet2 Liaison
Kim Milford
REN-ISAC Executive Director, Indiana University
REN-ISAC Liaison
Ann Nagel
University Privacy Officer, University of Washington
Higher Education Chief Privacy Officers Community Group Co-Chair-
Mark Napier
Deputy Dir IT/ Chief Info Privacy and Security Officer, Indiana University Bloomington
Awareness and Education Community Group Co-Chair
Joseph Potchanant
Director, Cybersecurity and Privacy Program, EDUCAUSE
EDUCAUSE Staff Liaison-
Peter Romness
Cybersecurity Principal - Public Sector CTO Office, Cisco Systems, Inc.
Masood Sidiqyar
Sr. Director, Information Security, Vanderbilt University
Governance, Risk, and Compliance Community Group Co-Chair-
Svetla Sytch
Assistant Director of Privacy and IT Policy, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Privacy Community Group Co-Chair
Andrew Weisskopf
Chief Information Security Officer, University of Delaware
Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference Program Committee Chair
Ann West
Associate Vice President, Trust and Identity, Internet2
Internet2/InCommon Liaison
Christine Whalley
Chief Information Security Officer, Amherst College
Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference Program Committee Vice Chair