With more than 20 years of experience, Lili Colón has a deep understanding of how quickly the threat landscape changes and what is needed to best secure and protect the U.S. energy infrastructure. She currently serves as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) within the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO). In this capacity, she leads efforts to integrate emerging technologies, align IT investment priorities with national security outcomes, and advance the Department’s digital capabilities.
In her previous role as Principal Deputy Director of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), she advanced key initiatives in IT/OT, threat informed defense, and public-private information sharing efforts to protect America’s energy grid as the designated Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA) — strengthening the security and resilience of our energy infrastructure from risks and disruptions by leveraging critical expertise across both public and private sectors. Her background in national security, emergency response, policy, IT/OT operations, and communication domains is rooted in her commitment to excellence and mission.
Prior to joining DOE, Ms. Colón served as the Deputy Associate Director for the Integrated Operations Division within the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In this role, she directed the Agency’s 24/7 Operation Center and led national-level cyber and physical response efforts.
Before that, she served as the Deputy Federal Security Director for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where she directed the Orlando (MCO) hub and six spoke airports, oversaw enterprise security operations, compliance with TSA standards, and managed a team of 1,700+ employees. She partnered with Federal, State, and commercial airlines to enhance threat awareness and response readiness to aviation, cargo, and passengers.
Previously, Ms. Colón served as the Chief for Strategic Planning and Resource Management within CISA’s Cybersecurity Division, where she directed strategy, policy coordination, and performance management across a $2.5B annual budget. She established long-term division strategy to achieve national cybersecurity objectives, matured enterprise operations, and led national-level policy efforts that strengthened DHS’s ability to reduce cyber risk across our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure sectors.
Throughout her career, Ms. Colón has honed her expertise through various Information Technology/Cybersecurity Positions in government and private sector relating to Certification and Accreditation of Systems, Interagency Coordination, Compliance, Workforce Development, Cyber Strategic Planning, and Governance Frameworks that underpin national resilience.
Ms. Colón holds a Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, a Bachelor of Science in Information Management & Technology from Syracuse University, and an ISACA certification as a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Ms. Colón is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) teaching courses in Business Management, Cybersecurity, and Government Policy. She is also an alumna of the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive Fellows program and a graduate of OPM’s Senior Executive Service from American University.