Tom Bunger, CISSP

Healthcare Cybersecurity Leader | vCISO | Advisor to CIO/CISO | Driving Risk, Compliance & Client Growth in Complex Environments

Greater Chicago Area

About

I advise healthcare executives, boards, and CISOs on managing cybersecurity risk and regulatory complexity in large, high-stakes environments. My work centers on strengthening enterprise security posture, aligning cybersecurity with business priorities, and enabling organizations to navigate regulatory requirements and evolving threat landscapes with confidence. With 25+ years across healthcare IT leadership, cybersecurity consulting, and business ownership, I bring a combination of executive advisory experience and hands-on program leadership. I have led large-scale cybersecurity and risk initiatives and supported organizations in making informed, strategic decisions that balance risk, compliance, and operational needs. I’m particularly interested in opportunities where I can operate as a senior advisor while also contributing to client growth and expansion within healthcare-focused cybersecurity practices.

Experience

  • Clearwater (Remote)
    • Senior Principal Consultant
      Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    • Principal Consultant, Hospitals and Health Systems
      Apr 2023 - Apr 2026 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Serve as a trusted cybersecurity advisor to hospital executives and health system leadership, supporting enterprise security and risk initiatives across complex, multi-site healthcare environments. • Advise C-suite executives (CIO, CISO, CFO) on cybersecurity strategy, aligning investments with enterprise risk tolerance and business priorities • Lead enterprise cybersecurity and risk programs for healthcare organizations, spanning governance, risk management, incident response, and business continuity • Translate security assessments into executive-level roadmaps with clear business justification, enabling prioritized, risk-informed decision-making • Guide organizations through cybersecurity maturity and resilience initiatives, including development of executive-sponsored incident response and continuity programs • Support regulatory and compliance initiatives (HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST CSF, ISO 27001), helping organizations operationalize requirements within complex clinical environments • Led Promoting Interoperability assessments for EHR platforms, aligning federal compliance requirements with clinical and operational workflows • Developed proprietary assessment methodologies and tools that enhanced service delivery efficiency and contributed to improved client outcomes and engagement expansion • Contributed to expansion of client relationships through ongoing advisory and delivery leadership across cybersecurity and risk initiatives

  • Information Security Consultant at CynergisTek, Inc.
    Nov 2021 - Apr 2023 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Conducted enterprise risk assessments and provided strategic security guidance to healthcare organizations navigating HIPAA compliance and cybersecurity program development. • Led comprehensive cybersecurity assessments using NIST frameworks (CSF, 800-series) and COBIT methodologies • Delivered risk-based recommendations to executive stakeholders, prioritizing controls by business impact • Advised on cybersecurity program maturation and regulatory compliance strategies

  • Principal Consultant at Tango Bravo Consulting
    Mar 2014 - Nov 2021 · 7 yrs 9 mos

    Provided strategic security and infrastructure consulting to healthcare organizations, with particular expertise in secure remote access and hybrid work transformations during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Advised healthcare executives on security strategy aligned with NIST best practices and regulatory requirements • Guided organizations through secure remote work transitions, balancing security controls with operational continuity • Conducted network and security assessments that informed capital planning and risk mitigation strategies • Positioned organizations for secure collaboration and telemedicine expansion

  • Senior Consultant at UMass Memorial Medical Center
    Sep 2021 - Oct 2021 · 2 mos

    Led network assessment following the acquisition of a new hospital system by a large academic medical center. This included assessment of firewalls, physical security controls, datacenters, and network.

  • Senior Regional Technology Manager at Trinity Health (HQ Michigan)
    Dec 2016 - Jun 2020 · 3 yrs 7 mos

    Led IT operations for three Chicago-area hospitals (Loyola University Health System) post-acquisition, managing teams across infrastructure, operations, and security while overseeing $5M annual capital budget. • Directed cross-functional IT teams (Identity Management, Help Desk, Desktop, Server, Operations) supporting critical care delivery across three hospital campuses • Managed $5M annual capital program encompassing infrastructure lifecycle, Epic EHR upgrades, and data center security initiatives • Led incident command during unplanned outages, minimizing patient care disruption through coordinated technical response • Implemented enterprise change management processes and chaired weekly CAB meetings, improving system stability • Built strategic relationships with senior clinical and administrative leadership, elevating IT's credibility and aligning technology investments with organizational goals • Drove measurable improvements in customer satisfaction through SLA tracking, KPI reporting, and proactive service delivery