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FDIC Announces Departure of Chief Information Officer Howard Whyte

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2019
Media Contact:
Amy C. Thompson
202-898-7124
amthompson@FDIC.gov

WASHINGTON—The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced that Howard Whyte, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Privacy Officer, has resigned his position to pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Mr. Whyte's final day at the FDIC will be January 3, 2020.

"Howard has brought tremendous value to the FDIC on a host of IT and cybersecurity-related issues," said FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams. "We are grateful for his leadership of the CIO Organization and the advances he has made to ensure the agency is on a strong technological footing."

Mr. Whyte joined the FDIC in January 2017 as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and was appointed CIO by the FDIC Board of Directors in October 2017. As CIO, he provided leadership and positive influence to meet FDIC performance goals. He also established a five-year plan to modernize the agency's IT systems and enhance security and privacy.

As CISO, Mr. Whyte worked to reduce cybersecurity risk by improving the Security Operations Center, incorporating threat intelligence into security operations, and engaging with the agency's Divisions and Offices to address IT security and privacy challenges.

Sylvia Burns, Deputy CIO, will serve in an acting capacity after Mr. Whyte's departure until a successor is named.

Ms. Burns joined the FDIC in September 2018 and has led the implementation of the agency's five-year IT modernization plan. Prior to joining the FDIC, she served as CIO at the U.S. Department of the Interior where she successfully led the Office of the Chief Information Officer through a comprehensive reorganization that significantly improved the delivery of IT services.

Ms. Burns has been recognized as one of the top women in technology in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area by FedScoop, and among the FedScoop 50 top federal leaders in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in curriculum and geology from City University of New York at Hunter College and a Master of Science in business management and policy from State University of New York at Stony Brook. She also holds a graduate certificate in project management from George Washington University.

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Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. The FDIC insures deposits at the nation's banks and savings associations, 5,256 as of September 30, 2019. It promotes the safety and soundness of these institutions by identifying, monitoring and addressing risks to which they are exposed. The FDIC receives no federal tax dollars—insured financial institutions fund its operations.

FDIC press releases and other information are available on the Internet at www.fdic.gov, by subscription electronically (go to www.fdic.gov/about/subscriptions/index.html) and may also be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center (877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200). PR-122-2019