Washington State CISO Ralph Johnson Announces Retirement

Ralph Johnson, Washington state's chief information security officer, announced his retirement effective September 2026 after three-and-a-half years in the role. Johnson previously served as CISO for Los Angeles County and King County, Washington, and has a long career in public sector cybersecurity. He described his work as a mission to protect systems, data, and public services. Johnson plans to continue in cybersecurity by providing advisory services to public-sector organizations. He highlighted challenges in state cybersecurity, including competition for talent from the private sector and reduced federal support. Johnson's tenure included setting statewide security standards and managing a security operations center. He emphasized the dual impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity, both as a tool for attackers and defenders.

Key Points: • Ralph Johnson will retire as Washington state CISO in September 2026. • He has a significant background in public sector cybersecurity, including roles in Los Angeles and King County. • Johnson plans to provide advisory services post-retirement and highlighted key challenges in state cybersecurity.