West Orange, New Jersey, September 21, 2026 – Hussein Syed, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for RWJBarnabas Health, was honored by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of just 55 Hospital and Health System CISOs and Chief Privacy Officers to Know, recognized for his work defending the organization against cyberattacks, a critical function for every hospital and health system. Mr. Syed has been included on Becker’s list several times.
CISOs are at the forefront of the fight to protect organizations from an increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape. Tasked with developing resilient cybersecurity strategies and harnessing emerging technologies, these leaders must constantly anticipate what’s next, adapt to evolving risks and stay one step ahead to safeguard the sensitive information their organizations depend on.
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. Earlier this year, he was 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.
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 45,000 employees, contributing more than $7 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org