Life of a Chief Information Security Officer - Panel Discussion

Description

Ever wonder what it’s really like to sit in the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) chair? In today’s world, CISOs play a critical role in protecting public trust by defending sensitive data, safeguarding essential services, and ensuring government operations remain resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Join us for a candid conversation with cybersecurity leaders from across Washington State who are on the frontlines of this important work. This engaging panel will feature:

• Ralph Johnson, Washington State CISO, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech)
• Jeanie Larson, Chief Information Security Officer, Washington State Department of Agriculture (AGR)
• John Weeks, Chief Information Security Officer, Washington Department of Health (DOH)

Panelists will share personal insights into the challenges and opportunities of leading cybersecurity programs—ranging from statewide strategy to sector-specific issues like protecting food supply systems and safeguarding public health. They will also discuss the evolving role of cybersecurity leadership, the importance of building strong partnerships, and how they balance protecting critical systems with enabling essential digital services for residents.

Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes perspective on the realities of managing cyber risk, making tough decisions, and leading in high-stakes environments—all in service of protecting what matters: our residents, our systems, and our future.

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.

Jeanie Larson
Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Agriculture

Jeanie began her career as a computer programmer and system administrator, for a Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory. 

From there Jeanie spent a decade working in the defense, IT and telecommunications industries before returning to a National Department of Energy lab where she led the Department’s Cyber Incident Advisory (Response) Capability (CIAC). A major cyber-attack took her to Washington, DC, where she established and led an incident response team to respond to advanced persistent threat attacks by the Chinese.

In Washington DC, Jeanie joined a team of cyber experts reporting to and advising the Director of National Intelligence.   She later served at the Executive Office of the President (EOP). At EOP, Jeanie established a Cyber Domain under the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM).

Jeanie left civil service to work in healthcare. When she discovered hacked medical devices, it became her mission to help secure healthcare organizations across the United States. Jeanie served for 4 years on the Board of Directors for the National Healthcare Information Sharing and Analysis Center (NH-ISAC).

Jeanie currently serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at Washington State Department of Agriculture. Jeanie continues to look for high impact opportunities to enhance the security posture for her employer (and beyond).  She is passionate about cybersecurity and public service.

John Weeks
Chief Information Security Officer
Department of Health

John Weeks is a seasoned IT executive with extensive experience as a CISO and CIO in both public and private sectors. He brings a rare combination of strategic leadership and technical expertise, holding both the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credentials. His career reflects a deep commitment to infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity resilience, and building high-performing teams that deliver measurable impact.