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Kirstjen NielsenAmerican cybersecurity expert
Date of Birth: 14.05.1972
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Career in Cybersecurity
- Government Service
- Chief of Staff to DHS Secretary John Kelly from January 2017
- Controversy and Resignation
Kirsten Nielsen, Cybersecurity Expert and Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Kirsten Nielsen is an esteemed American cybersecurity expert who served as the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2017 to 2019.
Early Life and Education
Nielsen earned her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1999.
Career in Cybersecurity
As a cybersecurity expert, Nielsen held positions at the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at George Washington University and on the Global Agenda Council on Risk and Resilience of the World Economic Forum. She also founded and previously led Sunesis Consulting, a cybersecurity firm.
Government Service
Nielsen held several key government roles, including the following:
On October 11, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Nielsen as Secretary of Homeland Security. She was confirmed by the Senate on December 5th by a vote of 62-37.
During her tenure, Nielsen implemented policies that led to the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border and garnered significant controversy.
Controversy and Resignation
Nielsen's role in the Trump administration was marked by controversy, including allegations of ineffective response to Hurricane Katrina and her statements on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
On April 7, 2019, Trump announced Nielsen's resignation via Twitter, appointing U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan as acting DHS Secretary.
