McElroy named chief information security officer at UW-Madison

Lori McElroy has been named chief information security officer (CISO) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison after serving in a similar role for six years at Texas State University.

Bruce Maas, UW–Madison’s vice provost for information technology and chief information officer, says McElroy was hired after a national search. McElroy will lead an office that will take risk- and metrics-based approaches to information security.

“The national landscape for CISOs is changing in recognition of the importance of institutional risk as the driver for information security investments,” said Maas. “Lori McElroy has been nationally prominent in efforts to create metrics for information security awareness, risks and mitigations, including serving as co-author of a recent EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research bulletin. She brings a strong collaborative approach, which will work well at the UW–Madison, and with our colleagues at UW System campuses.”

The CISO is responsible for IT security resources campuswide, as well as within the Division of Information Technology (DoIT).

John Krogman, DoIT chief operating officer, noted “Lori’s breadth of experience and reputation for engaging both customers and staff will complement and support DoIT’s approach exceptionally well. While not planning any immediate structural changes to either DoIT Security or the Office of Campus Information Security, we look forward to working with Lori over the coming months to determine the most effective and clearest approach to our security efforts.”

McElroy says she is eager to work with DoIT leadership, and adds: “I look forward to working with all campus IT security teams to effect our shared mission for the university.”

McElroy will begin in her new role on Feb. 1.