What's Happening?
The California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS) is actively seeking a cybersecurity and operations leader to oversee the security and operational stability of its multicounty eligibility system. This system supports various public assistance programs across California, including CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal. The role requires advanced product and project management skills, strong leadership abilities, and experience in leading cross-functional teams. The candidate must have a working knowledge of public assistance programs and state policies, as well as familiarity with zero trust, cloud security, and DevSecOps practices. Key responsibilities include directing operational and security activities, ensuring compliance with service-level agreements and technical architecture standards, and managing incident response and recovery activities in line with industry best practices such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001.
Why It's Important?
The appointment of a cybersecurity leader is crucial for CalSAWS as it aims to protect sensitive data and enhance the resiliency of its systems. This role is vital in ensuring that the public assistance programs, which serve millions of Californians, operate securely and efficiently. The leader will play a significant role in aligning operations with federal and state security standards, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the welfare system. This move is expected to bolster public confidence in the state's ability to manage and protect personal information, which is increasingly important in an era of rising cyber threats.
What's Next?
The selected candidate will define the Identity and Access Management (IAM) vision and roadmap, oversee lifecycle management, and implement role-based access control, multifactor authentication, and privileged access. The leader will also coordinate closely with security, infrastructure, and development teams to ensure seamless integration of security measures across the system. This strategic position is expected to drive significant improvements in the security posture of CalSAWS, ultimately benefiting the public assistance programs and their beneficiaries.
