Former HCA Chief Information Security Officer Paul Connelly Joins Fortified Health Security’s Board of Directors
FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 9, 2024—Fortified Health Security (Fortified), a Best in KLAS managed security services provider (MSSP) specializing in healthcare cybersecurity, today announced the appointment of internationally recognized cybersecurity expert Paul Connelly to its Board of Directors.
Connelly built the first cybersecurity program at the White House and HCA Healthcare. He also served as Presidential Communications Officer, directly supporting three U.S. Presidents. The addition of Connelly’s three decades of leadership in government and healthcare information security to Fortified’s board will further enrich the company’s cybersecurity expertise.
“It is a true honor to welcome a renowned industry expert like Paul Connelly to Fortified’s Board of Directors,” said Dan L. Dodson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Fortified. “As cyber attacks on the healthcare sector intensify and legislative mandates to counteract them grow more stringent, Paul’s extensive cybersecurity expertise and insights represent an invaluable asset to Fortified’s mission.”
In addition to his work with the National Security Agency and the White House, Connelly served as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Chief Security Officer (CSO) at HCA Healthcare in Nashville, TN for more than 20 years. Connelly’s stewardship as a cybersecurity leader will further enable Fortified to continue supporting and guiding healthcare organizations as they navigate federal regulators’ “voluntary” goals for cybersecurity performance.
“With more than twenty years in healthcare cybersecurity, I know it is a special mission because it’s protecting patients,” said Connelly. “That drives a passion and dedication in our community that is unique and inspires me to help Fortified raise the bar in cybersecurity.”
In addition to joining Fortified’s board, Connelly serves as an independent director on the board of Dismas, Inc.; technical advisor to the boards of the United States Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing); faculty member at IANS (Institute of Applied Network Security); senior advisor to Brighton Park Capital; and as an international speaker on cybersecurity.
Connelly’s addition to the Board of Directors follows a majority growth investment the company secured in December 2022 led by Silversmith Capital Partners and Health Velocity Capital with participation from Nordic Consulting.
About Fortified Health Security
Fortified is Healthcare’s Cybersecurity Partner® – protecting patient data and reducing risk throughout the healthcare ecosystem. A managed security service provider that has been awarded many industry accolades, Fortified works alongside healthcare organizations to build customized programs designed to leverage their prior security investments and current processes while implementing new solutions that reduce risk and increase their security posture over time. Led by a team of industry-recognized cyber experts, Fortified’s high-touch engagements and client-specific process maximize engagement value and deliver an actionable, scalable approach to help reduce the risk of cyber events. Learn more at fortifiedhealthsecurity.com.
Media Contacts
Lenox Powell
Fortified Health Security
lpowell@fortifiedhealthsecurity.com
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LANC Marketing, LLC
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