North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) is proud to announce the hiring of John Rodenbiker as Director of Cyber Operations. With more than two decades of experience in information security and IT leadership, Rodenbiker brings a proven track record of building world-class cyber programs—along with a unique perspective focused on protecting the services and data North Dakotans rely on every day.
Rodenbiker’s fascination with technology began in childhood, inspired by vintage computer games, classic tech thrillers like WarGames and Sneakers, and the problem-solving challenges of the dial-up era. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong curiosity that led him to build systems from the ground up, anticipate emerging threats, and approach cybersecurity as both a technical and human challenge.
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue—it’s a people issue,
Rodenbiker said. Our mission is to protect sensitive data and ensure every North Dakotan can trust the systems they rely on. That means helping people do their jobs securely while continuing to strengthen the foundation behind the scenes. I’m excited to work with our incredible Cybersecurity team to build on their already robust security posture across state government.
North Dakota Roots, Global Impact
Born and raised in Rock Lake, ND, Rodenbiker began his career modernizing IT infrastructure for rural organizations, wiring campuses, building networks, and supporting systems from the ground up. He later served as IT administrator for former U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand experience supporting mission-critical government operations.
Rodenbiker has since led cybersecurity initiatives across multiple industries, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, where he managed information security for more than 350,000 members; Doosan Bobcat, overseeing North American cybersecurity operations; and Eide Bailly, where he helped build and mature enterprise cybersecurity programs to world-class standards.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science from Minot State University and an MBA from North Dakota State University. Outside of work, Rodenbiker lives in Fargo’s historic Hawthorne neighborhood with his wife of nearly 25 years and their two children.
Positioning North Dakota as a National Leader in Cybersecurity
Drawing on his blend of technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic gaming (which he’s still passionate about to this day), Rodenbiker’s vision for NDIT focuses on:
- Strengthening statewide cyber defenses through coordinated, intelligence-driven security operations.
- Increasing awareness of human risk factors through education, collaboration, and shared accountability.
- Communicating the value and impact of cybersecurity by telling the story of how centralized services protect agencies and citizens.
- Delivering measurable value through North Dakota’s centralized IT and cybersecurity model.
The state’s centralized approach is key. It reduces duplication, improves consistency and response times, and enables proactive threat management—positioning North Dakota as a national leader in modern, resilient cybersecurity operations.
Trusted Expertise for North Dakota’s Cyber Future
State technology leaders praised the decision to bring Rodenbiker on board, highlighting his collaborative style and people-focused approach:
John brings the right mix of technical depth, strategic thinking, and people-first leadership that modern cybersecurity demands,
said Christopher Gergen, NDIT’s Chief Information Security Officer. He understands that strong security programs are built on trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility. I’m confident he will further strengthen our ability to protect state systems and the data entrusted to us by North Dakotans.
Cybersecurity is foundational to everything we do in state government,
added Corey Mock, Chief Information Officer for the State of North Dakota. John’s experience across public and private sectors, combined with his deep roots in North Dakota, make him exceptionally well suited for this role. His leadership will help ensure our technology services remain secure, reliable, and resilient as we continue to modernize for the future.