The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed to MeriTalk that Barry West will serve as the acting deputy CIO, as well as be appointed to a limited-term senior executive service position as senior adviser. West will be appointed on Oct. 15.
As a limited-term senior executive service appointee, West can hold the position for up to three years. According to the Office of Personal Management, these appointments are typically “used for project-type positions or for positions established to facilitate transition between Administrations.” DHS hasn’t confirmed how long the department expects West to serve in his new role.
Before assuming this new position, West was already serving as a senior adviser at DHS, as well as a senior accountable official for risk management. In his previous position, West worked to align DHS with the Trump administration’s policies surrounding cybersecurity.
