Kick-Off Presentation
Description
Cybersecurity Awareness Month, launched in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance, is an annual campaign held every October to educate individuals and organizations about the importance of online safety. Over the years, it has evolved to address modern cyber threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware, while promoting essential practices like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. In 2024, the focus is on four key pillars: personal security, threat awareness, business protection, and digital privacy. Join us this October to learn how you can stay safe in today’s increasingly connected world.
Speakers
Ralph Johnson
Chief Information Security Officer
WaTech
Ralph Johnson oversees the Office of Cybersecurity and its team of cybersecurity experts who detect, block, and respond to cyber threats. The office also works to prevent and mitigate future risks through proactive steps to continually strengthen the state’s security posture.
Since 2005, Ralph has held several positions as CISO. He supported the Los Angeles Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune through his position as CISO of NantMedia Holdings LLC. He also has served as CISO of Los Angeles, CA and King counties. In King County, he held a dual role as King County’s Privacy Officer. His breadth of knowledge as a Holistic Information Security Practitioner (HISP) and with more than 28 years of experience in Information Technology provides a foundation of excellence in managing risk.
Bill Kehoe
State Chief Information Officer and WaTech Director
WaTech
William “Bill” Kehoe joined Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) as the Director and State CIO for Washington on August 1, 2021.
Prior to WaTech, Bill was the Chief Information Officer for Los Angeles County in California from 2017-2021, where he managed enterprise security, information management, enterprise architecture and technology consulting services for 37 county departments. He also served as an advisor to the Board of Supervisors and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) regarding enterprise technology strategy, policy, and governance.
Bill has a long history of managing information technology departments in local and state governments, including more than 15 years in Washington state agencies and counties. Before working as CIO for Los Angeles County, he held the Chief Information Officer and Information Department Director for King County from 2010-2017 and served as the first Chief Information Officer for the Department of Licensing from 2002-2010.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Gonzaga University and a project management certificate from the University of Washington. He has also completed Lean Six Sigma training.