David Bottom steps down as CIO of SEC after nearly 6 years

David Bottom has ended his nearly 6-year tenure as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is transitioning to a role in the private sector. Bottom’s departure was made public through a LinkedIn post where he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with colleagues dedicated to the SEC’s mission of protecting investors and ensuring efficient and fair markets. His time as the CIO at the SEC spanned from January 2020 to September 2025.

Prior to his role at the SEC, Bottom held significant positions in various federal agencies. He was previously engaged in special projects at the Office of Management and Budget for the Federal CIO, focusing on cloud technologies and artificial intelligence initiatives. Before that, Bottom served as the CIO and chief data officer at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis and spent a decade as a senior executive at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

After Bottom’s departure, the SEC appointed Jed Hickman, who had been serving as the director of the Edgar Business Office since 2020, as the agency’s acting CIO. Meanwhile, Bottom revealed his next career move as the Chief Information Security Officer at Consulting Services Group (CSG), a company offering support services to both public and private sector clients. In his LinkedIn announcement, he shared his enthusiasm for leveraging his experience from the SEC, Department of Homeland Security, the White House, and the Intelligence Community to enhance CSG’s cybersecurity strategy and capabilities.

The turnover of federal technology leaders has been notable in recent months, with Bottom’s departure being the latest addition. His move to the private sector marks a shift in his career trajectory, and Bottom is eager to bring his expertise to new challenges at CSG. The SEC and its stakeholders will undoubtedly miss the contributions and leadership of David Bottom as he embarks on this new chapter in his professional journey.