Chris Watts was appointed Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) in June 2021. Drawing on a wealth of expertise in Emergency Disaster Response, honed during his distinguished career in the United States Army (Retired), Chris brings a unique combination of technical acumen and leadership to his role.
As the Information Technology Director at MEMA, Chris oversees critical operational areas, including network security, website maintenance, helpdesk operations, and Geographic Information System (GIS) operations. The MEMA Information Technology Services (MITS) Office, under his leadership, provides comprehensive IT support to all agency staff, addressing a wide range of technical issues through its helpdesk operations. Additionally, Chris is responsible for the overall cybersecurity posture of the agency and serves as a key member of the Cybersecurity Council for the State of Mississippi.
The Communications team, reporting to Chris, ensures the agency's cellular and radio communication infrastructure is maintained, as well as coordinating emergency communications during activations. The GIS team supports both state and local officials with geospatial data needs and plays an integral role in the CrisisTrack Damage Assessment Program. The MEMA Information Systems (MIS) division, under his guidance, ensures the smooth operation of programmatic systems that are vital for grants management, reimbursements, web development, and data retention. All divisions collaborate to support network and project management efforts with partner agencies during emergency response efforts.
Prior to joining MEMA, Chris served a distinguished 23-year career in the U.S. Army, where he gained extensive experience in logistical, aviation, engineering, and signal units. His expertise in information technology dates back to his time with the 47th Civil Support Team in 2004. Over the course of his career, Chris has earned several prestigious certifications, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP),Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA), Network Security (S+), and Microsoft Certified Security Operations Analyst (MCA).
