Ernesto Ballesteros

Ernesto Ballesteros, JD, MS, CISSP, CISA, Security+, is the cybersecurity state coordinator (CSC) for the State of Texas at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in Region 6. As the CSC for the State of Texas, Ernesto’s role is to build strategic public and private sector relationships in Texas to facilitate the development and maintenance of secure and resilient infrastructure, pursuant to 6 United States Code, Section 665(c) (2021). Previously, he served the State of Texas as the state cybersecurity coordinator and chair of the Texas Cybersecurity Council, at the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR). In this position, Ernesto’s primary charge was to oversee cybersecurity matters for the State of Texas and lead the Texas Cybersecurity Council to collaborate on matters of cybersecurity concerning Texas, pursuant to Texas Government Code, Sections 2054.511 and 512. During his tenure, Ernesto contributed to the development and implementation of statewide initiatives, such as the Texas Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (TxISAO), the Statewide Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program, and more. Prior to serving in state government, Ernesto’s career spanned several industries, including academia, financial services, private consulting, and public utilities. Of note, his prior professional roles included the following: Information Security Officer for the Alamo Colleges District (San Antonio, Texas); Information Security Officer at Jefferson Bank (San Antonio, Texas); Information Security Consultant at Omnikron Systems (Woodland Hills, California); Assistant Professor of Computer Information Systems and Security at Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas); Director of the Center for Information Assurance Management and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas); and Information Systems Auditor for CPS Energy (San Antonio, Texas). Currently, Ernesto is an Adjunct Professor of Law at St. Mary’s University School of Law (San Antonio, Texas), where he teaches cybersecurity, information systems, and law. Academically, he holds several degrees and professional certifications pertaining to cybersecurity, law, and information systems. Ernesto holds a Bachelor (BS) and Master of Science (MS) in Computer Information Systems and Security (CISS) from Our Lady of the Lake University; an NSA/DHS-designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Additionally, he completed his legal education at St. Mary’s University School of Law, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), specializing in cyber and privacy law. Lastly, he is an (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and CompTIA Security+ certified professional.