HHS announces incoming CISO to replace Wlaschin

Janet Vogel will be taking over the position of Health and Human Services chief information security officer in April, according to an internal email obtained by Federal News Radio. Vogel, currently the deputy chief information officer at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will be replacing Chris Wlaschin, who resigned from the role effective March 31, citing personal reasons.

Vogel is a 40-year veteran of the civil service, with more than 15 years of experience as an executive at CMS, and more than 20 years within HHS.

“Her range of well-tested skills in information technology, information security, organizational change, acquisition, and risk mitigation will be key to transforming and expanding HHS’ cyber programs into the healthcare sector,” the email said.

As HHS CISO, Wlaschin improved the agency’s cybersecurity standing by helping to implement Einstein 3A and Continuous Diagnostic and Mitigation.

“Chris Wlaschin came to Washington to change things for the better within HHS,” said Beth Anne Killoran, the HHS CIO.

However, his resignation comes amid allegations that Wlaschin treated two HHS employees improperly last fall.

HHS Deputy CISO Leo Scanlon and former Director of Healthcare Cybersecurity Communications and Integration Center (HCCIC) Maggie Amato have alleged Wlaschin mistreated them by removing them from their positions in September 2017. Scanlon and Amato requested an audience with HHS Secretary Alex Azar to resolve the situation.

And that is not the only leadership change at HHS happening in April.

Dennis Papula will be taking over the chief business technology officer position at the department’s Program Support Center. He was previously director of the Enterprise Strategy and Governance Team, where he helped create the department’s first IT Strategic Plan.

Meanwhile, Desiree Ponti, currently a senior fellow at the Center for Health Information and Decision Systems at the University of Maryland, will be taking over as acting ESG director until a permanent replacement is found.

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