UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Following a nationwide search, Bob Turner has been named Penn State's new chief information security officer (CISO), effective Sept. 23.
As CISO, Turner will provide leadership, guidance and expertise across all units, colleges and campuses to protect and secure Penn State’s data and information systems. He will continue to advance security measures that keep research and data safe and compliant within required regulatory security frameworks.
"We have a strong commitment to the protection of data, systems and research at Penn State, and Bob's experience and focus will help us to continue to elevate our security posture," said David Horton, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer. "His oversight and vision will strengthen our outstanding team of security professionals."
Turner has decades of experience as a higher education executive, board member and thought leader in cybersecurity strategy and leadership, information assurance, business continuity planning and information technology management. He has worked in higher education and the private sector. He is currently CISO in residence and chief operating officer at Cyber Hero Virtual CISO Network LLC.
Turner was previously CISO at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he facilitated a campus-wide cybersecurity strategy and program to secure 34 campus divisions. His private sector positions include field CISO for education at Fortinet, supporting engineering and marketing teams, along with K-12 and higher education customers, while advising senior-level cybersecurity community and business executives.
He was a senior manager of cybersecurity teams at Booz Allen Hamilton, supporting military, energy, education and health care clients. He also served in the U.S. Navy as an enlisted radioman and a commissioned communications officer.
"We are pleased that Bob is bringing his extensive cybersecurity experience to Penn State," said Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for Finance and Business/treasurer. "His dedication to advancing current standards in security aligns with our community's expectations of vigilance and proactivity."
Turner succeeds Kyle Crain, acting CISO since June 2023. Crain will return to his role as director of consulting and architecture and information security architect for Penn State IT Information Security.
"I am excited to join Penn State because of its mission and its people," Turner said. "It's important to me to create a culture where cybersecurity is not something so complex that people are afraid of it. When we keep security at the forefront of development operations, everything we operate flows from a secure foundation."
Turner has a bachelor's degree in administration and management from Excelsior College in Albany, New York, and a master's degree in information assurance from Capella University in Minneapolis. He has held the Certified information Systems Security Professional certification for the last 19 years.