After two decades of leading in a series of University of Utah IT roles, Jake Johansen has been named interim chief information officer for the institution and the Utah System of Higher Education. Johansen will serve while the university launches a search to replace longtime CIO Steve Hess, who is retiring after five decades at the university, effective July 1.

Johansen will report to Chief Operating Officer Jeff Labrum.

For the past 23 years, Johansen has worked in a broad range of IT security-related jobs, most recently as chief information security officer, reporting to Chief Information Officers Steve Hess (campus) and Donna Roach (U of U Health).

“I am so pleased to welcome Jake as our new interim CIO,” Labrum said. “He brings a depth and breadth of knowledge to the role that only someone with his extensive experience working for a research university can. His understanding of higher education, healthcare and IT security ensures a seamless transition and continued focus on preserving and protecting the university’s online and data resources.”

Johansen steps into this temporary role during a time of great change at the university, as the institution thoughtfully plans for emerging technologies, including implementing artificial intelligence (AI) tools and boosting cybersecurity efforts. Prior to taking on the CISO role, Johansen worked as director for Enterprise Security in the U’s Information Security Office (ISO), for which he managed Information Assurance, Security Engineering, and Security Operations Center teams. His work entailed promoting, implementing, and supporting the university’s Cybersecurity Program; overseeing the process of gathering, analyzing, and assessing current and future information security threat landscapes; hiring, training, and managing staff; and actively participating in the IT security governance process.

Johansen is a certified information systems security professional (CISSP), certified HIPAA professional (CHP), and certified security administrator. In addition to leading the university’s IT professionals, Johansen will take on Hess’ role leading the Utah Education Network (UEN), which brings together 40 school districts and state libraries and government in a network of online resources.

“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to outgoing CIO Steve Hess for his steady hand managing not only the University of Utah’s full integration into the digital age, but also the advancement of our peer institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education,” said Labrum. “CIO Hess truly ferried our state’s higher education institutions through a remarkable time of technological innovation and growth. His dedicated efforts position all of Utah’s colleges and universities to confidently take on the digital advances and challenges of the future.”

The university will launch the search for a permanent CIO over the next 90 days. Labrum says having Johansen as an experienced IT executive to manage the institution’s complex information technology enterprise will allow the university the time to select the right person to lead these unique and foundational services for the university and the USHE network.