Committee Corner: Meet Charles Rote

Welcome to Committee Corner, a new initiative where we spotlight one of our dedicated GovRAMP committee members each month. Through this series, we give you an inside look at the experts shaping cybersecurity standards and policies, while also sharing their personal experiences and contributions to the GovRAMP mission.

This month, we are excited to feature Charles Rote, the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for the State of Maine and the current Chair of the GovRAMP Standards and Technical Committee. With certifications from FEMA, the Disaster Recovery Institute International, and CompTIA, Charles brings extensive expertise in security and contingency planning. Since joining GovRAMP in 2022, Charles has been instrumental in shaping cybersecurity policy and creating robust security standards that help state and local governments and cloud service providers. In this interview, Charles shares his journey with GovRAMP, his motivations for joining the Standards and Technical Committee, and the rewarding experiences he's had along the way.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How long have you been involved with GovRAMP?

I have been with GovRAMP since 2022. First as a representative of my state to facilitate Maine becoming a participating member. I then became a member of the Standards and Technical Committee and then the chair.

Please provide a quote about your experience so far as a committee member.

Being part of the GovRAMP Standards and Technical Committee has been rewarding. Collaborating with experts, shaping policy decisions, and contributing to robust cybersecurity standards are just a few of the opportunities of being a committee member.

What motivated you to join your respective committee?

By actively participating in the Standards and Technical Committee of GovRAMP, I have the opportunity to shape cybersecurity policy decisions, collaborate with experts, and explore innovative approaches.  

What skills and experience do you bring to your committee?

My experience with several compliance regimes set by federal, state, and non-governmental governance bodies is the most significant for my role on the Standards and Technical Committee.

What benefits have you seen since joining your committee?

Collaborating with experts and sharing insights helps us create robust standards that address real-world challenges.

What impact has your committee had on GovRAMP and/or the cybersecurity community?

It provides an opportunity for states to maintain security assurances for the cloud service providers (CSPs) they do business with and CSPs to provide services to states using a standardized approach to security authorizations.

In what ways do you envision your committee contributing to the community in the future?

A goal of mine is to provide a standardized approach to security authorizations for Cloud Service Offerings that are acceptable by an ever-increasing set of regulatory compliance regimes.

What advice would you share with someone interested in joining a GovRAMP committee?

Get involved! If you are driven by a deep commitment to public service and protecting citizens’ data and infrastructure, GovRAMP is a fulfilling way to further these goals.

What has been the most memorable or rewarding moment you have experienced working with the committee so far?

Simply having the opportunity to contribute to the GovRAMP mission while collaborating with experts from diverse backgrounds.