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CalPERS Hunts for New Chief Information Security Officer

The search for a CISO follows the move of former CalPERS information security officer, Tom McCreary, who became the agency's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy officer in August.

The California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) is searching for a new chief information security officer.

The search for a CISO follows the move of former CalPERS information security officer, Tom McCreary, who became the agency's Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy officer in August, CalPERS Information Officer Deb Reyman said in an email to Techwire.

Before taking over the position of information security officer in 2009, McCreary filled the position in an acting capacity for eight months. His history with CalPERS also includes service as the agency’s security adviser from 2007 to 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Prior to coming to California government, McCreary spent 12 years as a security consultant for Govsec Inc. He also worked as a senior account manager at Hitatchi Data Systems’ Sacramento branch (1994-1995) and various other positions in private-sector IT.

The new CISO will lead CalPERS’ Information Security Office and report directly to the chief information officer. Responsibilities of the officer include a wide array of tasks which aim to protect the privacy of CalPERS information and services.

CalPERS recently underwent a reorganization of its IT leadership, during which Liana Bailey-Crimmins, former CIO of the pension system, was named acting deputy executive officer for Benefits Programs, Policy and Planning. She replaced Doug McKeever, who was announced as the chief deputy executive director for program at Covered California in November. Hurle took over for Bailey-Crimmins as acting CIO, in addition to his role as CalPERS chief technology officer.


Editor's note: This story was edited to reflect that Tom McCreary remains employed at CalPERS; Techwire incorrectly reported that he took a job with the federal government.