WASHINGTON DC – Michigan’s chief security officer, Chris DeRusha, has a new job – he’s the senior cybersecurity advisor for Democrat-presidential candidate Joe Biden.

DeRusha was White House senior cybersecurity adviser and held a series of top cybersecurity jobs in the Department of Homeland Security during the Obama administration.

Chris DeRusha

He also led Ford Motor Company’s enterprise vulnerability management program.

Biden’s campaign’s decision to delegate security to an industry heavy hitter reflects the intense pressure to avoid a repeat of the Russian hacking and leaking operation that upended Hillary Clinton’s presidential effort four years ago.  

Those needs are perhaps only more critical as the campaign faces unprecedented security and technology challenges from staff and volunteers working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic. 

DeRusha could not be reached for comment.