New York’s pharmaceutical sector operates at the intersection of scientific innovation, global supply chains, and strict regulatory oversight. Cybersecurity leaders in this industry protect clinical trial data, intellectual property, manufacturing systems, validated environments, and sensitive patient information. In a landscape shaped by regulatory compliance, geopolitical risk, and advanced threat activity, security strategy is inseparable from research integrity and commercial success.
Alexandra Zafra — Chief Information Security Officer, Intercept Pharmaceuticals
Alexandra Zafra is a cybersecurity leader overseeing global security operations at Intercept Pharmaceuticals. Her remit includes managing the Security Operations Center, cloud security engineering and architecture, regulatory compliance, validated systems oversight, vendor risk management, and privacy programs. She brings a defense-oriented approach that integrates human awareness training, red and blue team exercises, secure software development lifecycle practices, and enterprise risk governance to safeguard research and operational environments.
Sethu Raman — Global Chief Information Security Officer, Organon
Sethu Raman is a global cybersecurity executive with expertise in building and scaling enterprise risk and security frameworks across large organizations. At Organon, he leads global cybersecurity strategy encompassing threat intelligence, vulnerability management, third-party risk, regulatory compliance, cyber insurance, and business continuity. His leadership reflects a holistic approach that blends enterprise risk management, geopolitical awareness, and operational resilience within healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystems.
Scotty A. Ayers — Senior Director, Cybersecurity – Business Information Security, Johnson & Johnson
Scotty A. Ayers brings experience across consumer products, medical devices, and pharmaceutical environments. His background spans cybersecurity, audit, internal controls, and supply chain risk, supporting complex global manufacturing and research operations. His role bridges technical security controls with business functions, aligning risk management with regulatory and operational priorities.
Fred Cardinale — Executive Director, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Fred Cardinale leads IT and cybersecurity at Ocular Therapeutix, drawing on senior leadership roles across biotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations. His experience includes infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity program development, and oversight of regulated environments. With a background spanning systems engineering through executive IT leadership, he supports secure digital transformation in research-driven enterprises.
Securing Innovation in Life Sciences
Pharmaceutical cybersecurity is about protecting discovery as much as defending systems. From safeguarding clinical research and proprietary compounds to securing global manufacturing and regulatory submissions, these leaders ensure that innovation proceeds without compromise. In an industry where data integrity and compliance are foundational, cybersecurity underwrites both patient trust and scientific progress.
Security innovation in life sciences connects closely with industrial production—explore this further in CISOs to Watch in the State of New York’s Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Industry.