Buchanan, who will begin his new position Jan. 22, is currently serving as the chief information risk officer and IT director of the Information Security and Privacy Office, for the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Human Services. He replaces Scott Bream, who has served in an interim capacity since July 2018.
Prior to Bream's interim leadership, Agnes Kirk held the role until she retired in June 2018.
An ability to lead teams of cybersecurity professionals, along with effectively managing risks and compliance requirements are some of the skill sets Buchanan will bring to the job, officials with Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) said in the press release.
“Ron is an experienced information security professional who has the depth of expertise needed to build on the important work the Office of CyberSecurity does to safeguard the personal information of Washington state residents,” said Jim Weaver, state CIO and director of WaTech, in the release.
Buchanan brings more than 20 years of cybersecurity expertise to his new role, having previously served as director of special investigations and threat analysis for Pearson VUE; and as a senior cybersecurity adviser with research and development firm Battelle, where he was affiliated with the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services division.
