Gov. Malloy Appoints Arthur House as State's Chief Cyber Security Risk Officer

Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he is appointing Art House of Simsbury to serve in the newly created position of the state's Chief Cyber Security Risk Officer, where he will be responsible for working to enhance cybersecurity prevention and protection efforts in a comprehensive, cross-agency and cross-sector manner.

"As technology expands into every segment of our lives and creates greater convenience and ease, it also brings a new set of challenges and risks, and that includes essential functions such as our public utility systems.  This position of Chief Cyber Security Risk Officer will serve as a leader for the state who will coordinate the work responsible for enhancing Connecticut's cybersecurity posture, and safeguarding our cyber systems and critical infrastructure in an ever-evolving threat landscape," Governor Malloy said.  "We want to be a national leader in these efforts, and we are moving forward in a way that will allow us to be prepared for any contingency and safeguard our residents from cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure."

"I appreciate Governor Malloy's leadership to strengthen Connecticut's ability to address our growing array of cybersecurity threats," House said.  "The risks are increasingly diverse and dangerous.  Improving our defenses will require broad support, partnerships and cooperation.  I look forward to working with all stakeholders on this important task."

Since 2012, House has served as one of three commissioners within the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), where he serves as its Chairman and played an extensive role in developing the Cybersecurity Action Plan, which was released earlier this year and identified solutions for enhanced cybersecurity across the state, specifically within the electric, natural gas, and water sectors.

Prior to joining PURA, he served as Chief of the Communications Group for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a combat support agency of the U.S. Department of Defense and the nation's primary source of geospatial intelligence.  He also served as Director of Communications at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Webster Bank.

The position of Chief Information Security Risk Officer will be housed within the Department of Administrative Service's Bureau of Enterprise Systems and Technology and will work closely with the state's Chief Information Officer Mark Raymond and the Connecticut Cyber Security Committee.

"Our government and our society at large are increasingly reliant on technology.  Art House understands the threat landscape and the implications of a large-scale cyber outage.  He brings the requisite leadership and insight to finalize and operationalize the state's first Cybersecurity Strategic Plan," Raymond said.

House will depart his position with PURA and begin in this new role effective immediately.  The Governor will announce a successor to his position at PURA in the coming weeks.