Dr. Fran Nielsen currently serves as the Deputy Chief of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Computer Security Division, a part of NIST’s Information Technology Laboratory. Her role as Deputy Chief allows her to contribute to the overall strategic plans for the Divison’s efforts in cyber security as well as to participate in NIST’s program in homeland security. Prior to being named Deputy Division Chief, Fran served as a technical advisor to the Director of NIST on information technology (IT) and computer security issues. She has worked with the Office of Management and Budget and with the security committee of the Chief Information Officer’s Council to provide advice to Federal agencies on IT security. She recently headed a working group to redesign the Department of Commerce’s IT security program.

Since joining NIST in 1978, she has held several managerial and technical positions in communications, office automation, network management, and security. Her research interests are in security metrics for measuring the effectiveness of IT security programs.

Fran’s undergraduate degree is in computer technology from The American University. She has earned a master’s degree in engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Southern California.