Aguilar has been named vice president and CISO for Orange County-based Hoag Health System.
“The transition from a 15-year career in government service is a mix of excitement and apprehension,” Aguilar wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his move. “It signifies the end of a familiar chapter and the start of a fresh journey, brimming with unknown avenues and chances. This period prompts introspection, development and the pursuit of a new mission aligned with personal aspirations. It also means a move back into a sector I spent nearly another 14 years in as a consultant, engineer and thought leader. Here’s to embracing this upcoming chapter with inspiration, hope, resolve and a clear sense of purpose.”
Aguilar joined Los Angeles County government in November 2010, serving as CISO for the county Department of Mental Health. In May 2018, he was named deputy CISO in the county Office of the CIO, then was promoted to CISO in September 2021. That period, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was a challenge for the county as tens of thousands of county government employees shifted to remote work — with all the attendant security measures that accompanied the transition.
A frequent speaker at tech forums and conferences, Aguilar also has a background in academia: Since 2019, he’s been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio Business School and a member of its Cyber Risk Professional Advisory Board.In the private sector, according to his LinkedIn profile, Aguilar held consultant roles with Lucent Worldwide Services, Greenwich Technology Partners, International Network Services and British Telecom Professional Services. He then served as managing director for CC-OPS Professional Services, his last role in the private sector before joining Los Angeles County in 2010.
Aguilar was among the High Impact Leader award winners in 2022 at the Los Angeles IT Leadership Forum, an event presented by Industry Insider — California’s sister publication, Government Technology. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and industry forums and volunteers with several professional organizations.
In a one-on-one interview with Industry Insider in September 2023, Aguilar described himself as a “trusted adviser and change agent,” adding: “I spend a great deal of time collaborating with county departments, working on internal security strategic initiatives and building opportunities to collaborate with other jurisdictions. An ongoing theme of my day-to-day is the reduction of risk and county exposure given the ever-changing threat landscape.”
In that interview, Aguilar was asked what he reads and what he does to stay current in the gov tech/cybersecurity sector. He replied: “I’m fortunate to have a close friend who is also a CIO for a health organization in Orange County. We spend hours discussing hot topics in the industry and strategies to further reduce exposure. Having these relationships is key to maturing my knowledge and skill set as a CISO.”
Off the job, Aguilar told Industry Insider he competes in Ironman triathlons, “which, for those who are not aware of the sport, is a 140.6-mile triathlon. This consists of a 2.4-mile swim, 112 miles on the bike and a 26.2-mile run over the course of a day. Fortunately for me, my wife also competes in these events, so we’re able to spend a great deal of time training together. I also enjoy spending time with my daughter, paddleboarding, cycling, traveling, mentoring and being an adjunct professor for Pepperdine University. Nothing takes the work stress away quicker than training for an endurance event.”
