Marci McCarthy

Marci McCarthy is the Director of Public Affairs at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Appointed by President Trump, she oversees CISA’s media engagement strategy and serves as the agency spokesperson—drawing on her extensive background in cybersecurity, executive engagement, political leadership, national media, and public-private partnerships to support the agency’s mission to protect the nation's most critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. 

Before being named to this post, McCarthy was the Principal of M2 Cyber Advisory, served on the Board of Directors for Spirion and was the CEO and President of T.E.N., where she pioneered innovative executive engagement and thought leadership initiatives within the cybersecurity sector.

During her tenure at T.E.N., McCarthy spearheaded the Information Security Executive® (ISE®) Program Series, recognized as North America’s premier recognition and networking initiative for security professionals. Her innovative leadership fostered strategic collaboration between security executives and solution providers, profoundly influencing the cybersecurity landscape over the past two decades.

McCarthy’s professional contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including a Congressional Citation declaring March 13th as “Marci McCarthy Day” in 2012 and recognition as one of the International Fire & Security Exhibition and Conferences’ Global Security and Fire Influencers in 2018. In 2022, the Georgia State Senate issued a proclamation honoring her leadership in advancing cybersecurity efforts across the state. 

Beyond her professional achievements, McCarthy is a recognized political leader, serving for three terms as the Chair of the DeKalb Republican Party. McCarthy also served on numerous task forces and boards with the Georgia Republican Party (GAGOP), as well as a National Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2020 and 2024. Her service was honored at the Georgia State Capitol when a flag flown in her name in 2024.

McCarthy actively supports education and workforce development initiatives.  She serves on Culverhouse Cyber Executive Board of Advisors at the University of Alabama and the Evidence Based Cybersecurity Research (EBCS) at Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. And she founded the Marci McCarthy Cybersecurity Certification Scholarship Program, which supports women and minority students entering the cybersecurity field. McCarthy regularly shares her expertise at industry conferences and academic institutions, covering topics such as cybersecurity strategy, executive leadership, and workforce development. 

With expertise in cybersecurity, communications, and strategic leadership, Marci continues to drive innovation, policy impact, and industry excellence.