Brad Nix is the Deputy Director of the Department of Homeland Defense (DHS) United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). US-CERT is charged with leading DHS efforts to improve the nation’s cybersecurity posture, coordinate cyber information sharing, and proactively manage cyber risks. Arriving at DHS in May 2014, Mr. Nix is responsible for ensuring day-to-day operations meet with the strategic focus for cybersecurity within the US Government. Prior to joining DHS, Mr. Nix served 6 years as the first Chief information Security Officer at USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service.

Mr. Nix has almost 20 years of IT experience, with extensive consulting experience with small and large enterprise security programs. During the past 15 years, he has specialized in enterprise information security with a focus on information security program assessments and development; governance, architecture, technical vulnerability assessments; and product assessments.

In his current position, Mr. Nix directs and manages activities that focus on large-scale intrusion detection and prevention, advanced malware analysis and detection, cyber threat analysis, incident response, and exchanging critical cybersecurity information with trusted partners in Government, Industry, and International.

Mr. Nix holds a Master’s in Management Information Systems from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from James Madison University. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and an American Council for Technology / Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) Fellow and Executive Council member.