Washington State Appointed New Cybersecurity Chief

Gwen Gann has been named as the new chief information security officer for Washington state government.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Cybersecurity

Isometric editorial illustration of a stone and glass office building surrounded by stylized pine trees, representing state cybersecurity infrastructure. — Washington state has appointed Gwen Gann as its new chief information security officer, tasked with managing state cybersecurity strategy and network protection. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Washington state has officially appointed Gwen Gann as its new chief information security officer. She steps into the role following the retirement of Ralph Johnson, who served as the state's cyber lead for three-and-a-half years.

Why it matters

The position is critical for managing state cybersecurity strategy, network protection, and incident-response support. Gann will lead the Office of Cybersecurity as it oversees the digital infrastructure of government agencies.

Gwen Gann brings 20 years of technology leadership experience to the role, including six years as chief information officer at Public Partnerships LLC. She previously served as technology director at HealthFirst.

The players

Gwen Gann

She is the newly appointed chief information security officer for Washington state with two decades of leadership experience.

Ralph Johnson

He is the former cyber lead at Washington Technology Solutions who retired after a three-and-a-half-year tenure.

The details

Gann now oversees the Office of Cybersecurity, which provides essential monitoring services and network assistance across state government. This transition follows the departure of Ralph Johnson, who retired from his government post in the summer of 2026.

Ralph Johnson retired from his government position in the summer of 2026.
The appointment of Gwen Gann was announced on September 21, 2026.

The Tech Race

The appointment follows the organizational structure of the Washington Technology Solutions cyber lead office, which remains the central authority for state network defense. This leadership change ensures continuity in how the state manages evolving digital threats and infrastructure protection.

The shift in leadership impacts how state agencies handle network security and incident response, which can affect the reliability of government digital services. Residents and employees may see continued refinements in state security protocols as the new administration takes oversight.

The takeaway

Effective cybersecurity management requires consistent leadership to adapt to rapidly changing digital threats. Government agencies must prioritize ongoing network protection to ensure the safety of citizen data and public services.