Jake Johansen

Jake Johansen is the interim chief information officer of the University of Utah, Utah Education and Telehealth Network, and the Utah System of Higher Education, a role he took on effective July 1, 2026. He reports to Chief Operating Officer Jeff Labrum.

Career path

Johansen spent more than two decades in a series of information-technology and security roles at the University of Utah before moving into executive posts. Before becoming chief information security officer, he served as director for Enterprise Security in the university's Information Security Office, where he managed the Information Assurance, Security Engineering, and Security Operations Center teams. His responsibilities there included promoting and supporting the university's Cybersecurity Program, assessing information security threats, hiring and training staff, and participating in IT security governance.

He was named chief information security officer for the University of Utah and University of Utah Health, effective July 15, 2024. As CISO, Johansen was responsible for documenting and enforcing information security policies, standards, and procedures; interpreting government and industry security regulations; and managing the Information Security Office's staff, including hiring, evaluation, and professional development. He also worked with the university's general counsel teams and with academic, health, research, and administrative units on system and network security, access control, physical security, and application security.

Johansen was later named interim chief information officer for the University of Utah and the Utah System of Higher Education, effective July 1, 2026.

Current remit

As interim CIO, Johansen oversees information technology strategy and operations across the university, reviews and leverages emerging technologies including artificial intelligence tools, and works to boost cybersecurity efforts. He also leads the Utah Education and Telehealth Network, which supports the state's school districts, state libraries, and government agencies through a shared statewide network, serving 40 school districts and state libraries and government in that role. On his appointment, Labrum said, "I am so pleased to welcome Jake as our new interim CIO."

Certifications

Johansen holds the certified information systems security professional (CISSP) credential and the certified healthcare information security leader (CHISL) designation. He has also held credentials as a certified HIPAA professional and certified security administrator.