Helvetiella Longoria

Helvetiella Longoria is the Chief Information Security Officer at Florida International University (FIU). She has over 20 years of experience in the field of information and network security.

Her innovation and leadership have played a critical role in the development and enhancement of the University’s network, which supports over 56,000 users. Additionally, FIU’s ongoing cybersecurity enhancement strategy has been her strategic priority. During the last couple of years Ms. Longoria has focused on endpoint security, rolled out two factor authentication to over 80,000 users, deployed a new cyber security awareness training program and a vulnerability management program across the enterprise.

Ms. Longoria’s work has earned her recognition for being a pioneer in the field of information and network security. In 2014, she received the prestigious Cybersecurity Leadership and Innovation Award in the Education Category by the Center for Digital Government, awarded to those in state and local government and education who have driven forward cybersecurity efforts in their communities. Ms. Longoria has also had the distinct privilege to present at several local and national conferences, including Internet 2, Educause Security Conference, Directions’18 Conference, and 2018 SWTG Tech Conference and Expo.

In February of 2018, she hosted a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Higher Education and Healthcare Workshop. In November, she helped organize the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Conference and Expo 2018. That same month, she hosted 201 middle school-aged girls at FIU for an IBM Cyber Day for Girls, educating them on cybersecurity principles, Internet of Things, careers in cybersecurity, and the importance of cybersecurity.

Ms. Longoria is an advocate for spreading cybersecurity awareness, and truly believes that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. She actively reaches out to speak to members of FIU and theSouth Florida community to educate them about cybersecurity threats and safeguards. Lastly, Ms. Longoria is passionate about mentoring young female students interested in the Information Technology field and serves as a facilitator for ‘Girls Who Code’.