Office of the Chief Information Officer

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) provides leadership to NOAA Fisheries and its Regions and Science Centers in all areas of information management and technology.  To successfully serve the agency’s multiple missions, the OCIO applies modern IT tools, approaches, systems and products. Effective and innovative use of technology and information resources enables efficient delivery of information and services to the public.  

The OCIO is currently implementing a series of technology initiatives to improve efficiencies across the agency.  These initiatives include improving IT security, increasing operating efficiencies, and modernizing our desktop management and HelpDesk support services. We are also working to align information technology capabilities with mission areas and NOAA IT initiatives. This alignment will increase effectiveness, improve transparency and increase productivity, while striving to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.

The Fisheries Office of the Chief Information Officer has developed an exceptional information technology management team, which leads web site design and development, customer support services, information technology security management, infrastructure management, and database development.

• Inform users of proper means to access and utilize NOAA Fisheries supplied Information Technology 

• Ensure consistency in the application of IT resources enterprise wide

• Maximize operational availability of IT resources

• Ensure that security is not compromised through the use of IT resources

• Ensure conformance with NOAA and Department of Commerce policies

Organizational Structure and Roles

Technology Delivery & Operations

Delivers Mission Critical Technologies and Services: NOAA Fisheries OCIO maximizes the operational availability of IT resources under Technology Delivery Management by supporting Infrastructure, Network, and DevOps programs. In an effort to go beyond enabling the Agency’s mission and utilize NOAA Fisheries supplied information technology, we identify and pursue opportunities to open new pathways for emerging IT technologies and practices.

Application Development & Operations

Designs and Integrates Mission-Focused Application Services: NOAA Fisheries OCIO Application Services focuses on the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of Fisheries software applications, Commercial Off-The-Shelf software, and Information Technology (IT) systems and support across NOAA Fisheries OCIO. Application Services integrates cloud computing, incremental deliveries, and structured governance principles into application service delivery and maintains enterprise applications. Application Services & Operations focuses on establishing an enterprise IT Common Component Framework containing modules/services to be shared across Fisheries information systems.

Cyber Security Program Management

Provides Cyber Security Services and Management: NOAA Fisheries OCIO advises on integrating security into new products and services across Fisheries.  We continuously monitor enterprise risk management to reduce vulnerabilities under the overall security architecture and ensure that security is not compromised through the use of IT resources. We focus on improved response to security incidents, policies, and systems across all of Fisheries.

Cyber Security Risk Management & Operations

Ensures Enterprise-wide Compliance and Security: Cyber Security Operations provides continuous monitoring of NMFS FISMA systems for risk management and compliance with NIST, DOC, and NOAA-specific security policies. We also provide vulnerability management and remediation support, web application scanning, security architecture, CDM oversight, incident response, training, and security guidance.

Advisory Services & Project Management 

Fosters Project Management Best Practices: NMFS OCIO is establishing a Project Management Office (PMO) to provide consistent and predictable project management across all of the enterprise by evaluating emerging trends within the federal IT arena. The PMO will serve HQ OCIO projects and will also be available for all Fisheries organizations. This group will provide management advisory services to share insights from external partners and across NOAA organizational boundaries to increase collaboration, improve organizational efficacy.

Customer Experience (CX) & Service Delivery

Improves Service and Response: NOAA Fisheries OCIO aims to think like the customers that we serve, ensuring useful, usable, and enjoyable experiences to both internal and external customers on every interaction, regardless of platform. We look for opportunities to assist service delivery capabilities across all of fisheries regions, centers, and programs. The NOAA Fisheries OCIO CX Branch is the primary POC for NOAA Fisheries IT services end users and manages the IT service desk environment that provides tiered support throughout user lifecycles. The CX Branch also serves a liaison function, with partner support, across NOAA.

IT Governance & Administrative Support

Ensures IT Compliance: NOAA Fisheries OCIO provides oversight and support for strategic operational planning and execution of IT governance. We assist with FITARA, budget, human resources, contract, and property management to ensure conformance with NOAA & DOC policies.

Infrastructure Operations

Defines Strategic Vision for Future Infrastructure Needs: NOAA Fisheries OCIO Infrastructure Operations is responsible for providing installation, maintenance, and monitoring of all infrastructure hardware, and associated components, within all NOAA Fisheries OCIO physical data and cloud-based centers. We ensure all NOAA Fisheries OCIO data centers meet the needs of mission specific application requirements.

Network Engineering Operations

Provides Network Related Consulting Services for the NOAA Fisheries Enterprise: NOAA Fisheries OCIO Network Engineering focuses on providing data and voice services that drive the development and implementation of secure IT systems. We lead network delivery inclusive of vendor management with service providers.