Dr. Simon Szykman

Dr. Simon Szykman was named Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Commerce in May 2010. As the Department’s CIO, Dr. Szykman is responsible for providing leadership, establishing policy, and maintaining oversight for the information technology investments that support the diverse portfolio of programs across the Commerce Department’s dozen bureaus. Dr. Szykman most recently served over three years as the CIO of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he began his professional career as part of the agency’s technical staff.

Prior to his work at Commerce, Dr. Szykman served as the Director of the National Coordination Office for Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD), where he was responsible for the coordination of planning, budget, and assessment activities for the Federal NITRD Program. In this role, Dr. Szykman reported directly to the National Science and Technology Council and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy–where he also worked temporarily as a Senior Policy Analyst, focusing on technology-related issues including cyber security and high-end computing.

Dr. Szykman has also worked at the Department of Homeland Security as the Department’s first Director of Cyber Security R&D. There he led the development of cyber security R&D plans, programs, and budgets in support of the Department’s mission, as well as the development of the Government’s first interagency Federal Plan for Cyber Security R&D.

Dr. Szykman received PhD and Master of Science degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, a Master of Engineering Management degree from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rochester.