Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - US Government & Public Sector

EY is seeking a Chief Information Security officer (CISO) for the US Government & Public Sector (GPS). The CISO is the senior executive responsible for enterprise cybersecurity strategy, governance, and execution across both classified and unclassified environments. This includes compliance with DFARS / CMMC, NIST SP 800-37, NIST SP 800-171, NISPOM, and FedRAMP; secure software development; cloud security in Azure Government and Microsoft 365 GCC High; and enterprise incident response. The CISO partners closely with the COO, CIO, Legal / Contracts, Risk Management, and the Facility Security Officer (FSO). US GPS encompasses EY’s US Federal, state, and local government client portfolio. This senior leadership role will have significant team leadership responsibilities with visibility to internal and client stakeholders.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work with GPS engagement teams, supporting functions, and EY’s Client Technology and Global Information Security organizations to develop and maintain a security and compliance program across all environments, platforms and applications used or desired for use by GPS. Responsibilities include :

Strategy, Governance and Risk Management

Development and execution of a multi‑year cybersecurity strategy and investment roadmap aligned to business objectives and federal contract requirements.

Development, management and maintenance of the GPS IT security risk management policy and / or procedural documentation mapped to NIST SP 800-37 (RMF), NIST SP 800‑53, NIST SP 800‑171, NIST SP 800‑161 (C‑SCRM), and NIST SP 800‑218 (SSDF)

Ownership of the enterprise risk assessment (ERA), business impact analysis (BIA), and security metrics; present posture and material risk to the COO on a recurring cadence.

Defense Industrial Base Compliance (Classified & Unclassified)

Manage GPS compliance with DFARS 252.204-7012, 252.204-7020, and 252.204-7021. This includes :

Leading DFARS / CMMC readiness and ongoing compliance.

Serving as the affirming official (AO) and maintaining an accurate SPRS self‑assessment score with defensible Plans of Action and Milestones (POAMs).

Achieving and maintaining CMMC certification at level 2.

Overseeing management and maintenance of POAMs.

Ensure systems operated for the government are designed properly and assessed against the appropriate requirements such as FedRAMP, Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide, IRS 1075, and MARS‑E.

Ensure safeguarding and incident reporting obligations for CUI (e.g., DFARS 252.204‑7012 72‑hour reporting) are met; coordinate with DC3 / DIBNet and affected customers when necessary.

Oversee NISPOM compliance for classified systems; partner with FSO to achieve and maintain Authorizations to Operate (ATOs).

Ensure proper handling of export‑controlled data (ITAR / EAR).

Prepare for and lead Program through contractually required assessments and customer audits; keep evidence, policies, configurations, and logs audit‑ready.

Respond to government inspections or audits in coordination with EY Information Security and Risk Management.

Secure Cloud, Identity & Enterprise Platforms

Own security architecture and controls for Azure Government (Azure Gov) and Microsoft 365 GCC High tenants, including Conditional Access, PIM / PAM, encryption, logging / retention, and data governance for CUI.

Implement Zero Trust principles across identity, endpoints, networks, and workloads; drive continuous verification and least‑privilege.

Deploy and operate EDR / XDR, SIEM / SOAR, DLP, CASB / SSE / SASE, MDM, key management / HSM, and vulnerability / configuration management at scale.

Oversee user authorization process and ongoing attestation of user authorization and access.

Assist to resolve GPS practitioners’ access or other issues with Enclave environments.

Ongoing development, coordination and sustainment of Information Security Continuous Monitoring (ISCM) Program across all applications within the environment.

DevSecOps & Secure SDLC

Establish a software security program aligned to NIST SSDF (SP 800‑218) and EO 14028 expectations; integrate security into SDLC across GitHub and Azure DevOps.

Govern AppSec tooling and policy : SAST (e.g., Checkmarx), DAST (e.g., Qualys / AppScan), SCA / OSS (e.g., Mend), IaC / container / K8s scanning, and Wiz / Wiz Code; enforce build‑time gates and remediation SLAs.

Require SBOM generation, artifact signing / provenance (e.g., SLSA targets), and secrets management across all repositories and pipelines.

Detection, Response & Resilience

Develop, manage and maintain GPS incident response program.

Lead SOC and CSIRT functions : 24×7 monitoring, threat intelligence, purple / red‑team exercises, and executive tabletop drills.

Maintain and test the Incident Response Plan and Cyber Crisis Playbook, including regulatory / customer communications and forensics preservation.

Effective Business Integration

Ensure development of fit‑for‑purpose solutions that support the business activities.

Manage integration of Firm applications into the GPS Enclave environment.

Understand and facilitate communication of EY’s IT disaster recovery and business continuity plans to GPS clients, potential clients and engagement teams (including engagement team responsibilities).

Augment existing Client Security Assurance reviews of data protection requirements contained in RFPs / RFQs to adequately respond, and assist in development of GPS client security and data protection (confidentiality) plans.

Monitor regulatory or other developments in INFOSEC principles, regulatory requirements and leading practices.

Leadership, Team and Budget

Role model a leadership style that brings infrastructure, application and cybersecurity professionals together to collaborate constructively on the design, implementation and operation of controls.

Build and mentor a high‑performing organization spanning Policy / GRC, AppSec / DevSecOps, Security Engineering / Architecture, SOC / IR, and Third‑Party & Supply‑Chain Risk.

Own the cybersecurity budget and vendor portfolio; rationalize tools and services for value, performance, and compliance.

Participate in purchasing and enhancement of third‑party tools for GPS.

Augment and potentially streamline existing Vendor Supplier Risk Assurance Program during evaluation of subcontractor compliance with applicable cybersecurity and data protection clauses.

Drive a security‑first culture : ongoing training, phishing simulations, secure coding education, and leadership engagement including data protection and awareness and role‑based training programs.

Coordinate and respond to annual (or more frequent) independent risk assessments and cyber security reviews.

Qualifications :

12+ years of progressive cybersecurity leadership, including 5+ years at the enterprise or business‑unit executive level.

5+ years FISMA related experience

Bachelor’s degree in IT-related field or bachelor’s degree in non‑IT related field with a total of 10 years of information security experience

Master’s degree preferred

Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance

US citizenship required

Must have government sector experience

Thorough knowledge and understanding of :

FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems

DFARS 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting

NIST SP 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations

NIST SP 800-53, Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations

GSAM 552.239-70, Information Technology Security Plan and Security Authorization, 552.239-71, Security Requirements for Unclassified Information Technology Resources and similar clauses in agency FAR supplements

FISMA

Specialized knowledge and experience with the implementation of the NIST Special Publication (SP) 800 family of publications, particularly those associated with the Risk Management Framework

Proven experience in the Defense Industrial Base with DFARS / CMMC and NIST SP 800‑171 implementation and audits (including POA&M and SPRS management).

Experience with FEDRAMP compliance authorization and monitoring

Deep expertise securing Azure Government and Microsoft 365 GCC High environments

Experience working with other Government cloud communities, including AWS

Experience working with classified environments, achieving / maintaining ATOs, overseeing classified systems under NISPOM and DoD RMF, and working understanding of SCIF operations

Knowledge and experience with vulnerability scanning execution, assessment, and analysis

Knowledge and experience of networks, including LAN and WAN

Knowledge and experience with application security, database security, and network security

Experience with evaluating system, network, or infrastructure security controls against requirements such as FISMA, FIPS, and NIST guidelines

Hands‑on leadership of DevSecOps and software security programs covering GitHub / Azure DevOps / Jenkins with SAST / DAST / SCA, IaC / container security, SBOMs, and supply‑chain controls.

Demonstrated analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills required.

The ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including client‑facing, legal, finance and contracting teams, executives, engineers, customers and assessors on a wide variety of tasks, as needed.

Ability to foster professionalism and demonstrate integrity and confidentiality in all actions.

Ability to demonstrate flexibility when required, sense urgency, organize and prioritize work, and achieve against tight deadlines.

The ability to interpret and communicate regulatory requirements related to cybersecurity and data protection.

Possession of excellent written / verbal communications skills.

Possession of excellent analytical skills, including strict attention to detail.

Ability to assess and weigh current and evolving security threats in an operational environment

Possession of Information Systems Security Professional certification (CISSP)

Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCISO, CCSP, CRISC, CISA, PMP, and relevant GIAC credentials preferred

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll develop you with future‑focused skills and equip you with world‑class experiences. We’ll empower you in a flexible environment, and fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn more .

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to the business. The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $235,700 to $466,700. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State and California (excluding Sacramento) is $282,900 to $530,400. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and geography. In addition, our Total Rewards package includes medical and dental coverage, pension and 401(k) plans, and a wide range of paid time off options.

Join us in our team‑led and leader‑enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client serving roles to work together in person 40–60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project or year.

Under our flexible vacation policy, you’ll decide how much vacation time you need based on your own personal circumstances. You’ll also be granted time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter / Summer breaks, Personal / Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well‑being.

Are you ready to shape your future with confidence? Apply today.

EY accepts applications for this position on an on‑going basis.

For those living in California, please click here for additional information.

EY focuses on high‑ethical standards and integrity among its employees and expects all candidates to demonstrate these qualities.

EY provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other legally protected basis, including arrest and conviction records, in accordance with applicable law.

EY is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities including veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and either need assistance applying online or need to request an accommodation during any part of the application process, please call 1-800-EY-HELP3, select Option 2 for candidate related inquiries, then select Option 1 for candidate queries and finally select Option 2 for candidates with an inquiry which will route you to EY’s Talent Shared Services Team (TSS) or email the TSS at ssc.customersupport@ey.com .

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