Biography

Mo Balakrishnan, CISSP, GPEN – Cybersecurity Leader

Mo Balakrishnan is the Director of Information Security at the University of the Pacific, overseeing the university's comprehensive cybersecurity strategy across its Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco campuses. With over a decade of experience in managing global security teams, Mo has led significant initiatives in advancing university-wide security posture, data governance, and risk management. Mo's leadership in developing a mature information security program has not only enhanced the institution’s resilience to cyber threats but also resulted in a 23% cost reduction in cyber insurance premiums, underscoring the tangible impact of his work.

At the University of the Pacific, Mo champions a security-first approach, driving the implementation of Zero-Trust architecture, cloud-native solutions, and robust vendor risk management strategies. He is also a passionate advocate for cybersecurity education and mentoring, helping to cultivate the next generation of Pacific technologists.

In addition to his university role, Mo serves on the ISACA Sacramento board, providing strategic direction on regulatory advocacy and influencing cybersecurity policy.