Christopher Ford, MBA, Cissp
About Christopher Ford, MBA, Cissp
Christopher Ford, MBA, Cissp, serves as the Manager of the Cyber Security Operation Center at CenterPoint Energy, where he has worked since 2018. With a background in database administration and various leadership roles in cyber security, he collaborates with government and energy sector partners to enhance threat intelligence.
Work at CenterPoint Energy
Christopher Ford has served as the Manager of the Cyber Security Operation Center at CenterPoint Energy since 2018. In this role, he oversees operations related to cybersecurity, focusing on threat and vulnerability management, including patching triage and penetration testing. Ford collaborates with various government entities and energy sector partners, such as TSA, DOE, FBI, DHS, CISA, E-ISAC, CRISP, and AGA, to enhance threat intelligence. His leadership also emphasizes talent development for Cyber Security Operation Center Analysts, ensuring that the team is well-equipped to handle emerging cybersecurity challenges.
Previous Experience in Cybersecurity and IT
Before joining CenterPoint Energy, Christopher Ford held several positions in the cybersecurity and IT sectors. He worked at CB&I as the Cyber Security Operations Manager from 2015 to 2018, where he managed cybersecurity operations. Prior to that, he served as the Global Infrastructure and Network Operations Manager at CB&I from 2009 to 2012. His career began at Hibernia National Bank, where he worked as an Oracle/SQL Server DBA from 1999 to 2000. He also held the role of Application Development Manager at Public Systems Associates from 2000 to 2001.
Education and Expertise
Christopher Ford holds an MBA in Information Systems Management from Louisiana State University, which he completed between 1997 and 2000. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Southeastern Louisiana University from 1994 to 1997. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and incident response management.
Leadership in Cybersecurity Operations
In his current role and previous positions, Christopher Ford has demonstrated leadership in managing cybersecurity operations. He leads digital forensics and incident response management for cyber incidents as well as HR and legal cases. His focus on talent development within the Cyber Security Operation Center indicates a commitment to building a skilled workforce capable of addressing the complexities of cybersecurity threats.