Neal Mullen Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) HSE

We are delighted to welcome Neal Mullen as the new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the HSE nationally, where he will play a crucial role in advancing our cybersecurity efforts under the leadership of Damien McCallion, CTTO and Deputy CEO.

Neal will lead the charge in safeguarding our nation’s healthcare infrastructure. His role involves developing and implementing robust cybersecurity strategies to ensure the secure and resilient delivery of services to both the organisation and the public.  He will be focused on enhancing our cybersecurity maturity through proactive measures and strategic initiatives to protect sensitive health data and maintain the trust of the communities we serve.  

Neal is a Cyber, Risk and Resilience professional, with over 25 years’ global experience working within the Healthcare, Construction, Technology and Retail sectors. Originally, he studied Biomedical Engineering, which led him to work as a technical and security consultant specialising in healthcare for nine years before moving to St. Vincent’s University Hospital as their Group Deputy Director of ICT Operations for seven years.  

Since leaving healthcare in 2011, Neal has spent the past thirteen years working in the private sector, with KPMG as Security and Resilience specialist, in Bertelsmann as their Global Head of Operational Resilience, Dunnes Stores as their Head of Cybersecurity and most recently as the European Head of Cybersecurity for CRH. 

He holds an MSc in Technology and Innovation Management, Certified Cyber Risk Officer, NIST Certified Security Expert, holds the MBCI and DBCI accreditations and was entered into the Business Continuity Institute Hall of Fame in 2019 for recognition of his contribution to the resilience industry. Neal also serves as a Cybersecurity Advisory Board Director within the Safehouse Initiative, a US-based nonprofit.  In the role, he guides and shapes cybersecurity strategies for this global entity. By leveraging the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, they help organisations, typically within the SME sector, navigate and mitigate cyber threats effectively, collaborating with top technology providers, thought leaders and government agencies like CISA.

Neal’s wealth of experience and deep expertise in cybersecurity and resilience, particularly within the healthcare sector, will be invaluable as he leads initiatives to safeguard sensitive health data and strengthen our infrastructure. We are confident that his strategic vision and dedication will significantly enhance our cybersecurity posture, ensuring the continued trust and safety of the communities we serve.

Find out more about the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) function for the HSE.