What’s on the minds of top local government chief information security officers? In this interview, Michael Dent shares current security and technology priorities, career tips and more.
I have known
Michael Dent , the Fairfax County, Va., chief information security officer, for more than a decade, and his knowledge, expertise, insights, perspectives and accomplishments never cease to impress me.
Dan Lohrmann (DL): You’ve had a great career in government leadership. Why do you like public service? Michael Dent (MD): Public service is more than a career — it’s a calling. For over two decades, I’ve had the privilege of serving as chief information security officer for Fairfax County, Va. My passion for public service has only grown with time. Cybersecurity in local government isn’t just about technology — it’s about people, continuity and community resilience. It’s about safeguarding the trust residents place in their government and ensuring critical services remain secure.
DL: You’ve been CISO for over 23 years. What accomplishments are you most proud of? MD: Over the past 23 years, I’ve served under multiple administrations and seen cybersecurity evolve dramatically. Through all that change, what has remained constant is the importance of strong teams, visionary leadership and a shared mission.
DL: What’s the secret to your success as a government CISO? MD: If I had to boil it down: relationships, perspective and persistence.
DL: What cyber challenges did you face during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how did you respond? MD: The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges. We had to support a remote workforce of more than 10,000 quickly and securely while safeguarding critical services for 1.1 million residents.
DL: What are your current cybersecurity priorities? MD: Right now, we’re focused on building an adaptive cybersecurity strategy aligned with emerging technology trends: AI, Internet of Things and multi-cloud environments.
DL: Is there a cyber talent shortage in Fairfax County? Are you finding the right people? DL: How are you handling cybersecurity funding and resources? DL: Cybersecurity accountability starts with leadership — and must be funded accordingly. How do you navigate that? DL: How can vendors better support local government cybersecurity? DL: How is AI impacting your cyber strategy? DL: Any lessons from your career as a public-sector leader? DL: Anything else you’d like to add?
