I quit my CSO role after 15 years. It took courage, but a mentor's words guided me: "Is it better to regret or leap?" The best is yet to come!
Shonita Stevenson · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Shonita
Shonita "Shoni" Stevenson is a Security Operations Center Manager at Hoag Health System, where she leads a team of more than 30 employees—both onsite and offshore—safeguarding the organization's expanding network of hospitals, health centers, and urgent care facilities across Orange County, California. In this role, she serves as the on-scene security leader for incidents across Hoag's campuses, coordinating with local law enforcement and forensics teams while spearheading special projects that strengthen incident response protocols in partnership with Unit 42 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She is also driving the adoption of artificial intelligence within her SOC, deploying AI-powered tools to triage hotline calls, detect deep fakes, and automate ticket creation in ServiceNow—an initiative designed to boost operational efficiency and demonstrate measurable cost savings to executive leadership.
With more than two decades of experience in information technology and cybersecurity, Stevenson has built a career spanning healthcare, government, and higher education. She previously spent over 18 years as Chief Security Officer for the County of Los Angeles Public Library system, overseeing security across dozens of sites, and went on to serve as Chief Information Security Officer for Riverside University Health System. She later led IT Security Policy and Governance efforts at the University of Southern California, shaping compliance and risk frameworks across the university's federated schools. Her academic credentials are equally robust, including a Bachelor of Science from High Point University, a Master's degree in Information Technology/Cyber Security from DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management, and a Doctor of Ministry earned through NDU and Claremont School of Theology, reflecting her parallel calling in theological studies and her past work teaching at California Baptist University.
Beyond her technical achievements, Stevenson is a dedicated mentor and advocate for women in technology, contributing to DeVry University's Women in Tech board and lending her voice to organizations such as WESIS, the CISO Executive Board, and CSO Magazine. She is also a published author, having written a poetry collection titled "The Journey," and is currently developing a children's book. A single parent who recently marked her son's transition into college, Stevenson credits her enduring faith and her mother's example as a retired physician for grounding her leadership philosophy—one centered on integrity, perseverance, and genuine care for the people she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shonita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my faith, which has been a steady and consistent source of motivation throughout my career and personal life. My mother, a retired physician, has also been a driving force in my journey—watching her study late into the night and push through challenges while raising children showed me firsthand what dedication looks like, and that example continues to shape my own work ethic today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Always have integrity. Don't waiver on who you are and be authentic.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to stick to your guns and not waver. Don't look back—only look forward. Be the lead in your classes, and take control and authority in the areas where you may feel weak. Keep pushing forward, because there is always someone in your corner. Don't be intimidated by this field; if you choose technology, you truly cannot go wrong.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is that women remain underrepresented in IT and cybersecurity, and the demands of motherhood and family life can too often push talented women out of the industry. At the same time, I see tremendous opportunity in the integration of AI into Security Operations Center functions—using AI as an analyst to triage calls, detect deep fakes, generate ServiceNow tickets, and ultimately improve both efficiency and return on investment.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith, a genuine care for people, and maintaining balance between my family and my career are the values that matter most to me. These principles guide how I lead my team and how I show up both professionally and personally.
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