West Orange, New Jersey, February 24, 2026 – Hussein Syed, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for RWJBarnabas Health, has been named to the 2026 C100 by CISOs Connect™, recognizing CISOs who are distinguished by their security expertise and their dedication to giving back to the profession through knowledge sharing and mentoring.
A group of CISOs from across industries, including healthcare, picked the 2026 CISOs Top 100 CISOs awardees based on the following criteria: minimum of five years in the CISO role, proven organizational impact and measurable achievements, contributions to the CISO community via mentorship and knowledge-sharing, and advancement of professional development, resilience and security culture. Beyond the Top 100, Mr. Syed was also recognized with the CISO Champion Award for outstanding dedication to mentoring fellow CISOs.
Thanks to a growing number of data breaches and cyber threats, cybersecurity is top of mind for most healthcare organizations. CISOs are charged with building robust cybersecurity strategies and implementing novel technologies, and as the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, these leaders deftly adapt to ensure the protection of sensitive information. Mr. Syed is responsible for innovating and driving the cyber security strategy used to secure the technology and data assets for the largest, most comprehensive academic healthcare system in New Jersey. He and his team are charged with implementing secure solutions while enabling and advancing the dynamically changing business objectives of the organization.
With more than two decades of information technology experience, Mr. Syed is playing a key role in the implementation of the system's historic overhaul of its EHR platform. During his time as CISO, he has grown the department into several divisions focused on risk, architecture, operations, vulnerability management, and identity and access management.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate manner and is the state’s largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health’s commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute — the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers, with more than 44,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org