Pledging to patrol cybersecurity, Kirstjen Nielsen recently became the first former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staffer to be sworn in as Homeland Security secretary — and the sixth to hold the office — in Washington, D.C.
Confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the nominee will oversee the administration’s domestic policies. She is experienced in homeland and national security policy, strategy, and assessment, with an emphasis on infrastructure protection.
Previously, Nielsen served as chief of staff to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly during the first half of this year; as well as principal deputy White House Chief of Staff for President Trump for the past three months.
“It is my greatest honor to serve as Secretary alongside the remarkable men and women of DHS,” said Secretary Nielsen. “Our nation faces a complex threat landscape that is constantly evolving. I will do my utmost to ensure that the Department meets the threats of today and tomorrow, and to ensure our frontline personnel have the tools and resources to accomplish their vital missions.”
Nielsen earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the University of Virginia. Additionally, she founded and led Sunesis Consulting, which worked closely with the federal government via regular contracts.
“I look forward to continuing this Administration's work to raise the standards for the security of our homeland in all areas — including securing our borders, protecting Americans from terrorist threats, and securing our cyber networks,” Nielsen said.
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