Open To Work
Deanne Harwood
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Fairfax Station,VA
Work Preference
Job Search Status:
Open to work
Desired start date:
Flexible
Desired Job Title
IT Specialist (INFOSEC)Sr. Technical ManagerDirector
Work Type
Full Time
Location Preference
On-SiteRemote
Location:
Fairfax Station, VA, USSan Diego, CAHarrisonburg, VA
Open to relocation:
Yes
Important To Me
Work-life balance
5
Certifications
40
Years of experience
Cybersecurity leader and IT Specialist (INFOSEC) with federal experience in identity and access management, secure software, and enterprise IT solutions. Current Product Owner for CISA’s CDM Identity as a Service (IDaaS) Program, specializing in Zero Trust, MFA, FISMA, and NIST frameworks. Certified CISSP and CSSLP, with advanced training from Harvard Kennedy School and the Naval Postgraduate School.
Work History
IT Specialist (INFOSEC)
15 Years 1 Month- Product Owner for CDM Identity as a Service (IDaaS), leading delivery of enterprise identity and access management capabilities, including MFA extensions supporting Zero Trust. Manage plans, budgets, resources, schedules, risks, stakeholder coordination, deliverable reviews, and signoffs across software development, infrastructure upgrades, testing, deployment, and sustainment. Apply Agile, Waterfall, and DevOps practices to guide teams and improve delivery.
- Previously served as Federal Test Team Lead for the CDM PMO, directing implementation and testing of CDM capabilities across federal agencies. Oversaw automated testing for CDM Data Services, CDM Dashboard testing, and virtual test bed development using GitHub and Jenkins. Initiated the UAT/OT Working Group, developed its charter, and coordinated testing frameworks with DHS OCIO and Components.
- Provided strategic guidance on information systems, cybersecurity, acquisition planning, and test and engineering activities. Governed hardware, software, and system acquisitions per policies and laws; identified emerging threats and aligned capabilities to close security gaps. Managed contract staff, mentored technical teams, and advised customers on mission-focused solutions.
- Completed CISA OCISO rotation leading cross-division identity management controls and validating DHS CDM Phase 2 architecture and RBAC implementation. Supported NCPS PMO Capability Delivery, directed $1M–$3M software and enterprise service projects, and developed ICAM enterprise services strategies aligned with DHS cybersecurity and information-sharing priorities.
Education
Executive Certificate - Senior Executive Fellows Program
Master of Arts - Homeland Security Studies
Thesis: “Barriers to Cyber Information Sharing” https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=762417
Bachelor of Science - Computer Information Systems
Skills
Leadership
Project Management
Software Development
Cybersecurity
Identity management
Compliance frameworks
Cybersecurity
AI Security & Engineering
Programming languages
Incident response
Vulnerability assessment
Accomplishments
- Multiple Time off and Cash Awards from DHS 2011-2026
- DHS/CISA Cybersecurity Division Eagle Award, May 2025
- DHS, One CS&C Award, June 2014
Affiliations
- 2025 – Present – Member Project Management Institute (PMI), Washington DC Chapter
- 2024 – Present - Member Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS).
- 2020 – Present - Member ISC2 National Capital Region (NCR) Chapter.
Certification
- Building AI Strategy Certificate, ISC2, 4/2026;
- CENG 003 AI Foundations for the DoD Credential, DAU, 4/2026;
- Certified Level 1 Test & Evaluation Certification (FTE I), DAU and DHS, 3/2025;
- CISSP, ISC2, since 5/2019, #327741;
- CSSLP, ISC2, since 10/2008, #327741.
Timeline
IT Specialist (INFOSEC)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
06.2011 - CurrentRead More
Strayer University
Bachelor of Science from Computer Information Systems
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Naval Postgraduate School
Master of Arts from Homeland Security Studies
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Harvard Kennedy School
Executive Certificate from Senior Executive Fellows Program
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