Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced the formation of the Arkansas Cyber Advisory Council (ACAC), intended to identify and manage the risk of cyberattacks and enhance the response to those threats for the state.
The council consists of 12 members representing state departments and one nonprofit. The members are:
- Jonathan Askins, director of the Division of Information Systems and Chief Technology Officer.
- Gary Vance, state Chief Information Security Officer, Division of Information Systems.
- Mike Preston, secretary of the Department of Commerce.
- Lee Watson, CEO of Forge Institute.
- Jami Cook, secretary of the Department of Public Safety.
- Dr. José Romero, secretary of the Department of Health.
- Cindy Gillespie, secretary of the Department of Human Services.
- Johnny Key, secretary of the Department of Education.
- Major General Kendall Penn, secretary of the Arkansas Military Department.
- Alan McClain, commissioner, Arkansas Insurance Department.
- A.J. Gary, director of the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.
- Colonel (Ret.) Steve Eggensperger, Governor’s Office Cybersecurity liaison.
The council is part of the Arkansas Cyber Initiative, enacted by the state legislature in 2019. The council is expected to provide recommendations to the governor on operational and executive branch efforts to improve the state’s cybersecurity posture.
Watson, founder of Forge and an advocate for establishing Arkansas as the “Cyber Defense State,” is the only member not representing a state agency or department.
“It’s my privilege to serve along with the governor’s leadership team,” he said. “Together we can strengthen Arkansas’ credentials as the nation’s rally point for cyberdefense. This will help lower risks and enable new workforce and economic opportunities.”