About Virginia Cybersecurity Planning Committee (VCPC)
The planning committee is charged with:
- Assisting with the development, implementation, and revision of the cybersecurity plan;
- Approving the cybersecurity plan;
- Assisting with the determination of effective funding priorities;
- Coordinating with other committees and like entities with the goal of maximizing coordination and reducing duplication of effort;
- Creating a cohesive planning network that builds and implements cybersecurity preparedness initiatives using FEMA resources, as well as other federal, state, local and tribal, private sector and faith-based community resources;
- Ensuring investments support closing capability gaps or sustaining capabilities; and
- Ensuring local government members, including representatives from counties, cities and towns within the eligible entity provide consent on behalf of all local entities across the eligible entity for services, capabilities or activities provided by the eligible entity through this program.
Call for Advisors
We are looking for advisors for the Commonwealth’s cybersecurity planning committee. If you have professional experience relating to cybersecurity or information technology, and are interested in applying, please complete our online application.
Current Members of the VCPC
Members are appointed by the Governor in accordance with Item 93 for a term of 4 years. At least one half of the representatives of the Cybersecurity Planning Committee must have professional experience relating to cybersecurity or information technology. Read the Press Release.
|
Name |
Representation |
Expiration Date |
|
Michael Watson, Chair |
Chief Information Security Officer of the Commonwealth, Virginia Information Technologies Agency |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Michael Dent, Vice Chair |
Chief Information Security Officer, Fairfax County Department of Information Technology |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Aliscia Andrews |
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Office of the Governor |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Diane Carnohan |
Chief Information Security Officer, Virginia Department of Education |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Robbie Coates |
Director, Grant Management and Recovery, VDEM |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Adrian Compton |
Tribal Administrator, Monacan Indian Nation |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Charles DeKeyser |
Major, Virginia Army National Guard |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Brenna Doherty |
Chief Information Security Officer, Department of Legislative Automated Systems, Commonwealth of Virginia
|
October 31, 2026 |
|
Capt. Eric Gowin |
Division Commander- Information Technology Division, Virginia State Police
|
October 31, 2026 |
|
John Harrison |
IT Director, Franklin County
|
October 31, 2026 |
|
Derek Kestner |
Information Security Officer, Supreme Court of Virginia |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Benjamin Shumaker |
Cybersecurity Specialist, King William County Government
|
October 31, 2026 |
|
Beth Burgin Waller |
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Practice, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Wesley Williams |
Executive Director of Technology, Roanoke City Public Schools |
October 31, 2026 |
|
Stephanie Williams-Hayes |
Chief Information Security Officer, Virginia Department of Health |
October 31, 2026 |
Contact Information
The Cybersecurity Planning Committee can be reached at: cybercommittee@vita.virginia.gov