Renata Spinks
Former USMC Asst IT Director/Deputy CIO IC4
Ms. Renata C. Spinks is the CEO of techStartUp company – CyberSec International, Inc. focused on developing cyber security software as well as advising and consulting offerings to its customers. Ms. Spinks is a decorated recognized leader with over 23 years of combined US Army Active Duty, Federal and Department of Defense (DoD) service.
She previously served in the Senior Executive Service as Assistant IT Director/Deputy CIO of the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (IC4) Department as well as the Senior Information Security Officer in the Headquarters Marine Corps (2021- 2023). Prior to that appointment she was appointed by the USMC as the Nation’s first Cyber Technology Officer and served at Marine Forces Cyber & Space Command in Fort Meade, MD; (2018-2021).
Ms. Spinks’ career includes appointments with the Departmental Offices of the US Treasury Office of Financial Research, also the Internal Revenue Services, and the Department of Homeland Security and earned combat veteran decorations with 28th Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army 44th Medical Command, US Army.
Her drive to revolutionize cyber, information technology and business transformation is evident in the initiatives she’s led and achievements she has garnered; to date but her continued passion for cyber got its enduring foundation from her time working with DHSICE, DOJ, CIA, and the ODNI while serving as a criminal research specialist; utilizing forensics and human intelligence to investigate human trafficking and child exploitation.
Ms. Spinks’ highest education is a MS in Technology Management. She is currently finishing up her Doctorate in Cybersecurity. Some of her industry recognitions include 2023 Defense50 Leadership, The 2023 Grace Hopper Tech in Government Abie Award, Washington Execs 2023 Top Cyber Execs to Watch, 2023 CDO Magazine Top Federal CISO 2023, 2022 Fed100, 2022 Meritalk Cyber Defenders Award, 2021 Leading for Impact Award, State of NC 2021 HBCU Living Legend Award and the 2020 Stars and Stripes Becoming Everything you are (BEYA) SES of the Year.
An avid community service STEMINIST, she is the founder of a non profit organization – “Rising Footsteps” – and gives back to the HBCU community by volunteering as a member of the Saint Augustine’s University Council of Advisors in Raleigh, NC.
