Matthew Travis serves as the first Deputy Director for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Mr. Travis served as Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) before the agency became CISA on November 16, 2018. As Deputy Director, he supports the CISA Director in overseeing the Cybersecurity Division, the Infrastructure Security Division, the National Risk Management Center, and the Emergency Communications Division. His operational support responsibilities are to ensure a holistic approach to critical infrastructure protection across physical and cyber risks activities.
Prior to joining CISA in March 2018, Mr. Travis served as vice president of homeland security for Cadmus, a security and resiliency professional services firm supporting clients throughout the homeland security enterprise. In 2010, he co-founded Obsidian Analysis, Inc., a homeland security consultancy. Obsidian was acquired by Cadmus in 2016. In both companies, Mr. Travis served as a senior facilitator of national preparedness exercises in support of FEMA and the National Exercise Program. He also directed all program support for National Level Exercise 2012, the first national cybersecurity exercise.
Previously, Mr. Travis served as president of the information security company Detica, Inc. and, before that, vice president at DFI International, where he was instrumental in creating the homeland security practice that supported CISA and its Office for Bombing Prevention.
From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Travis served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He initially served aboard the guided-missile frigate U.S.S. CARR (FFG 52) as the Engineering Auxiliaries Officer. Aboard CARR, he also served as maritime interdiction boarding officer in the Northern Red Sea following Operation DESERT STORM. Mr. Travis then served a tour as White House Liaison to the Secretary of the Navy and was also a White House Military Aide.
Mr. Travis is originally from Terre Haute, Indiana. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and holds a master’s in National Security Studies from Georgetown University.