Cybersecurity leaders in the Los Angeles area play a central role in protecting essential infrastructure, public services, and healthcare systems. From city government to regional transportation, these CISOs lead critical programs that keep systems secure and resilient. Here are 10 active Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) making an impact in 2025.
Timothy Lee – CISO, City of Los Angeles
Timothy Lee is the Chief Information Security Officer for the City of Los Angeles. He leads the city’s cybersecurity vision, strategy, and operations. His work includes overseeing the Security Operations Center (SOC) and launching the LA Cyber Lab to foster collaboration between public and private sectors.
James Thurmond – Interim CISO, County of Los Angeles
As acting CISO for Los Angeles County, James Thurmond directs cybersecurity policy and governance across more than 30 departments. His focus is on protecting countywide systems and reducing cyber risk through strategy, compliance, and coordination.
Sandra Taylor – Interim CISO, University of Southern California
Sandra Taylor oversees cybersecurity for USC’s main campus and health systems. She leads the TrojanSecure program and manages governance, risk, and awareness efforts across academic, research, and enterprise systems.
Anson Fong – CISO, Los Angeles World Airports (LAX & VNY)
Anson Fong directs information security at LAX and Van Nuys Airport. He manages airport cybersecurity operations, including disaster recovery, compliance, and cyber risk programs supporting critical transportation infrastructure.
Jake Margolis – CISO, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Jake Margolis leads cybersecurity for Southern California’s largest water supplier. He developed the district’s cybersecurity operations center and implemented zero-trust architecture to protect operational technology and water infrastructure.
Brian Barrios – CSO & VP, Southern California Edison
Brian Barrios is Chief Security Officer and Vice President at SCE. He oversees both cybersecurity and physical security programs across the utility, supporting grid reliability, IT compliance, and enterprise risk mitigation.
Elliott Jones – VP & CISO, Kaiser Permanente
Elliott Jones is responsible for cybersecurity strategy at Kaiser Permanente. He leads national efforts in defense, resilience, and threat response to protect systems that serve millions of patients across the healthcare network.
Don Nguyen – BISO, Metrolink (SCRRA)
Don Nguyen heads cybersecurity for Metrolink’s rail systems as the Business Information Security Officer. His role includes securing ticketing systems, operational platforms, and commuter data across Southern California.
Andrew Sutherland – Interim CISO, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Andrew Sutherland manages information security and risk for CHLA. He oversees governance, compliance, and incident response to protect patient data and support clinical operations across the pediatric hospital network.
Michael Ruehmkorff – CISO, City of Hope National Medical Center
Michael Ruehmkorff leads the information security team at City of Hope. He focuses on reducing enterprise risk, securing cancer research and clinical systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance in healthcare delivery.
Cybersecurity Leadership Across Los Angeles
These CISOs represent the backbone of cyber defense across public and private sectors in Southern California. From city governments to utilities and hospitals, their work strengthens digital resilience in some of the most complex environments in the country. As cyber threats evolve, their leadership remains key to protecting the infrastructure that keeps Los Angeles running.