Hugo Frech

About Hugo Frech

I am an executive director of IT infrastructure, and CISO at California ISO, the organization that manages the state\'s power grid and energy market. I have over 9 years of experience in this role, leading the execution and delivery of grid reliability and market IT systems. As a certified CISSP and holder of a Stanford Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate, I oversee the information security program to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability, providing guidance and briefings to the executive team and board on IT, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure protection compliance. I also manage vendor contracts, IT support services administration, and long-term technology roadmaps. My core competencies include networking, Linux systems administration, Oracle database administration, storage management, data center operations, engineering, automation, and administration. I have led the implementation of multiple infrastructure refreshes resulting in significant savings and technology upgrades, reducing hardware/software costs through elimination of redundant software, hardware consolidation, and cloud migration. I am proficient in R programming and data visualization, and experienced in managing multi-million dollar budgets. I hold an MS in Telecommunications Systems Management and a BA in Philosophy, with a background as a combat veteran and foreign area officer in Latin America. My mission is to leverage my technical expertise and leadership skills to ensure the security, stability, and efficiency of California\'s power grid and energy market.

Experience

1. Exec Dir IT Infrastructure and Chief Information Security Officer

   California ISO

   Dec 2024 — Present · Folsom, CA, US

   Reporting to the VP & Chief Information Technology Officer, I lead strategic planning and delivery of mission-critical infrastructure, architecture, and cybersecurity programs for CAISO, which manages California’s electric grid and wholesale energy markets.Key Focus Areas:Infrastructure Operations: Oversee enterprise network, compute, storage, and cloud platforms supporting 24/7 critical systems.Enterprise Architecture: Define standards and roadmaps aligned with NERC-CIP, market expansion, and grid modernization initiatives.Cybersecurity Leadership: Own enterprise-wide information security, regulatory compliance, security operations, and incident response.Executive Reporting: Brief Board and executive leadership on threat posture, investments, and regulatory risk.Vendor & Risk Governance: Manage partner ecosystems, service contracts, and operational resilience.Impact:Integrated security and infrastructure governance into a unified model to support operational continuity and regulatory readiness.Supported market innovations and technology modernization initiatives while maintaining security, availability, and trust.

Education

• National University

  Master's degree, Telecommunications Systems Management

• California State University-San Bernardino

  Bachelor's degree, Philosophy

Skills

• Unix
• Windows Server
• Software Project Management
• Servers
• Itil
• IT Management
• Virtualization
• System Architecture
• IT Operations
• Aviation
• Helicopters
• Storage Management
• Database Administration
• Vendor Management
• Splunk
• Vmware
• Server Architecture
• System Administration
• Netapp
• Visio
• Linux
• Oracle
• Requirements Analysis
• Cloud Computing
• IT Strategy
• Integration
• Unix Administration
• Solution Architecture
• Network Security
• Data Center
• Troubleshooting
• Replication
• Operating Systems
• Management
• Testing
• Sharepoint
• Disaster Recovery
• Databases
• Red Hat Linux
• Solaris