Brian Gardner | Deputy Chief Information Officer
City of Austin

Dr. Brian Gardner came to the City Austin after 7 plus years in municipal government. Dr. Gardner serves as the Deputy Chief Information Officer over infrastructure and operations for the City. Prior to coming to he served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with extensive experience in municipal digital transformation initiatives. Dr. Gardner has successfully optimized technology investments, reduced operational inefficiencies, and enhanced interagency collaboration in government settings. Dr. Brian joined the city in 2017 to develop IT Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance programs. Since taking on the role, he has implemented a risk-based framework for cybersecurity strategy to assess and mature the City’s security capabilities, assure regulatory compliance, and mitigate enterprise-wide technology and business risk. In addition, implementing the City’s first Cyber Fusion Center and Security Operation Center. Dr. Gardner moved into the CTO and CIO to lead transformative and modernization of the City IT services. Several included smart cloud, resiliency and application rationalization. Dr. Brian’s cybersecurity industry experience extends from global financial services, national healthcare services, and Big Four consulting before entering public service. Dr. Brian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Accounting, a Master’s in Information Security Management, and a PhD in Information Technology, Security and Assurance. As well as research and publication on Disaster Recovery, Dr. Brian holds certifications in Cloud Security and Privacy. He is a founding member of the Coalition of City CISOs. The group is dedicated to bringing municipal leaders and cybersecurity professionals together to advance municipal cybersecurity. Dr. Brian and his family reside in the DFW area with their six children. He and his wife actively foster children from the region in hopes to provide them a better start. Over the past seven years they have fostered over 20 kids of all ages from infant to teenagers. In addition, Dr. Brian helps with the Dallas ISD P-TECH program and actively assists with guidance for students around the IT Security field.