Member Spotlight: Dennis Leber, CISO, CHFS – Kentucky

Dennis Leber, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), Kentucky, is an Information Security (IS) executive with over 10 years of experience in IS management, and over 20 years of experience across various industries. He stays abreast of new trends in IS, and researches how solutions will shape the future.

Leber possesses a mastery in many disciplines, including: Managing the IS department, IS service management, change management, risk management, business continuity planning, disaster recovery, back up planning, organizational management, vendor management, budgeting, strategic planning, programming, human capital management, inventory/assets, access management and the training and education of staff.

The security executive has exposure and experience in operations across the business, and partners with various units to develop strategies that contribute to their success. Leber said he excels at CISO-level leadership by building exceptional teams, remaining strategic and reaching beyond IS to streamline business services and generate revenue. Leber said one mission is “to ensure IS is embedded in the business.”

He is also the newest member of the Cyber Security Hub’s Editorial Advisory Board (EAB), which helps steer site coverage and provides valuable insight to the editorial staff. Leber has contributed to articles on DevOps, security certifications and more.

The CISO maintains a blog called “The Most Interesting Man in IS.” Today, he took time to answer a few questions for the Cyber Security Hub's “Member Spotlight” series.

1) What’s the coolest thing you are working on right now?

Kentucky is working on a Medicaid 1115 waiver project, which involves numerous systems, creating some new applications, and merging others. The second project the team and I are working on is maturing our Governance, Regulation and Compliance program. We have a good program, and we are maturing it through the implementation of an eGRC solution. The solution has already returned benefits through automation, efficiencies, and repeatable, auditable, effective processes.

2) What are you currently watching on Netflix?

I don't watch Netflix, but anything on History channel, Nat Geo or Discovery. And regardless of your opinion, I just cannot stop watching “Ancient Aliens.”

3) What’s the most ‘useless’ fact you know?

Coca-Cola would be green if coloring was not added

4) What is your favorite way to spend free time?

Relaxing with family and being outside are my preferred planned activities. I also spend a lot of time reading, particularly cyber security-specific publishing, and a lot of writing on social media platforms.

5) What is your biggest fear?

Giving up before I succeed. And kidney stones, definitely kidney stones.

Be Sure To Check Out: Member Spotlight: Randall Frietzsche, CISO, Denver Health