Published 1:27 pm Thursday, October 1, 2026
Covenant Health CISO Dave O’Brien (Photo submitted)
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Covenant Health announced that David J. O’Brien, vice president of information technology and chief information security officer (CISO), has been named to Becker’s Healthcare’s 2026 list of Hospital and Health System CISOs and Chief Privacy Officers to Know. The annual recognition honors healthcare cybersecurity and privacy leaders who drive innovation, strengthen resilience and protect patient data across the industry.
Since joining Covenant Health, O’Brien has transformed the organization’s cybersecurity program from a traditional control-based function into an enterprise-wide capability focused on risk management, resilience and modern healthcare delivery.
Under his leadership, Covenant Health redesigned its cybersecurity operating model and strengthened governance, risk management and incident response capabilities. O’Brien guided the development of updated cybersecurity policies aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 and HIPAA requirements. These efforts modernized the organization’s security technology stack and improved visibility into enterprise cyber risk through a metrics-driven approach.
His efforts have strengthened Covenant Health’s ability to protect patient care operations through enhanced governance of emerging risks, including artificial intelligence and third-party security.
O’Brien also championed a behavior-based security awareness program centered on real-time coaching and role-based education. The program has improved cybersecurity practices and workforce readiness across Covenant Health.
Most recently, O’Brien was named to the HotTopics Global Top 100 CISO List, which recognizes cybersecurity leaders who drive meaningful business outcomes through innovation, governance and resilience.
The honor reflects O’Brien’s leadership in advancing cybersecurity governance, enterprise resilience and organizational readiness in support of Covenant Health’s mission of improving the health of the communities it serves.
“David’s recognition reflects the meaningful impact he has made across Covenant Health through his leadership and commitment to cybersecurity excellence,” said Tiffany Cross, senior vice president, and chief information officer for Covenant Health. “He has led the modernization of our cybersecurity program, building a strong security foundation that enhances resilience, mitigates emerging threats and supports the organization’s strategic and digital transformation goals. His strategic vision, collaborative leadership and dedication to advancing our cybersecurity capabilities make this recognition well deserved.”
