Heather Fowles, CISO
Professional Overview
Heather Fowles is an accomplished Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with over 15 years of experience securing mission-critical systems and infrastructure across the healthcare and financial services sectors. Recognized as a dynamic leader in information security, Heather is adept at aligning cybersecurity strategy with organizational goals to drive tangible improvements in risk posture and operational resilience.
Experience Summary
Current Role
Heather currently serves as the CISO at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she is responsible for overseeing the institution's comprehensive information security program. In this role, she leads a team of security professionals in developing and implementing robust policies, controls, and governance frameworks to safeguard the university's sensitive data and critical systems. Heather has played a pivotal role in enhancing the university's overall cybersecurity maturity, resulting in improved threat detection, incident response capabilities, and regulatory compliance.
Career Progression
Prior to her current position, Heather served as the Information Security Officer/ISO at Mass General Brigham, where she spearheaded the development and deployment of innovative security solutions to protect the organization's vast healthcare network. She also held the role of Director of Information Security/ISO at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, where she led the transformation of the institution's security posture, earning recognition for her contributions to the industry.
Heather's career trajectory includes previous roles as the Director of Technology and Information Security and Governance Manager at DentaQuest, as well as Manager of IS Security at Liberty Mutual. In these positions, she demonstrated her ability to navigate complex security challenges, implement effective risk management strategies, and drive continuous improvement in information security practices.
Academic Background
Heather holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she graduated with distinction. Her academic achievements and ongoing professional development have equipped her with a robust understanding of emerging security technologies, industry best practices, and regulatory frameworks.
Areas of Expertise
- Cybersecurity strategy and governance
- Threat assessment and risk management
- Security architecture and engineering
- Incident response and crisis management
- Compliance and regulatory requirements (HIPAA, NIST, PCI DSS)
- Security awareness and training program development
- Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Heather has spearheaded numerous industry-leading initiatives that have had a significant impact on the organizations she has served. Her contributions include the implementation of a comprehensive security information and event management (SIEM) solution at Mass General Brigham, which enhanced the organization's ability to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time. At the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Heather led the development of a robust identity and access management (IAM) system, resulting in improved user provisioning, privileged access control, and overall data protection.
Heather's commitment to professional development and industry engagement has also made her a respected voice in the cybersecurity community. She has presented at various industry conferences, sharing her expertise and insights on emerging security trends and best practices. Heather's dedication to advancing the field of information security has earned her recognition as a thought leader and trusted advisor among her peers.
Conclusion
With her proven track record of success, Heather Fowles is a highly sought-after CISO who consistently delivers measurable improvements in an organization's security posture. Her ability to align security initiatives with business objectives, coupled with her exceptional leadership and technical expertise, make her an invaluable asset in safeguarding mission-critical data and infrastructure. Heather's unwavering commitment to innovation and collaboration positions her as a driving force in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
