Last updated on March 4, 2019
Jamaica Plain’s Gregory McCarthy was recently named Boston’s first-ever Chief Information Security Officer, and will lead the city’s cybersecurity team.
“I’m proud to welcome Gregory to a leadership position in our Department of Innovation and Technology, which works to utilize technology in the best and smartest ways possible to make residents lives better,” said Boston Mayor Marty Walsh via press release.
McCarthy’s appointment elevates his previous role to protect Boston’s technology platforms and data from from cyber threats.
Since joining the city’s cybersecurity team in 2010, McCarthy has managed the implementation of numerous information security solutions and helped develop Boston’s first Cybersecurity Awareness Program for employees. In his new role, McCarthy will continue to lead efforts to strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities across Boston and further the team’s mission through modernizing technology, partnerships, and regular training.
“Cybersecurity is something we clearly have to take seriously, and there are always new challenges ahead; a humbling reminder that our work in this field is never done,” said McCarthy via press release. “It is an honor to be in this position for the City of Boston, and to have the opportunity to lead the City into a new chapter of maturity in how we protect our systems, data, and constituents.”
Before working for the city, McCarthy spent five years as a Principal Research Technician at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections. He holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and a graduate degree in Information Assurance, both from Northeastern University. He has also earned a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA, graduate certification in Project Management from Boston University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. He is also a board member for the Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library.