Alumna recognized for leadership in risk management and data security

by Kelli M. Titus

Jane Harper (SBA '02) was named one of Crain’s 2014 40 under 40 and is among the 2015 class of Oakland County's Elite 40 Under 40.

Oakland University alumna Jane Harper always had a knack for fixing things. She embraced this interest of innovation and technology to become a leader in risk management and information security.

“The University was instrumental in helping me become the professional I am today,” Harper said.

As the director of information privacy and security audit and risk management for Henry Ford Health System, Harper leads a team of highly skilled individuals in identifying, quantifying, communicating and managing information privacy and security risk for the Detroit-based medical system’s complex IT infrastructure, business and technology processes to meet federal regulatory standards. They partner with other Information Privacy and Security Office leaders under the direction of the Chief Information Privacy and Security Officer to help safeguard the privacy of their various stakeholders.

Jane also makes contributions to the industry by sharing her skills through mentoring, and presenting at various risk and security conferences and meetings. In addition, Jane is a member of the Michigan Healthcare Cyber Security Council where she authored the code of ethics and co-chairs the common security framework committee. The Council’s goal is to “move the needle” in the field of healthcare security. She also acts as the risk and compliance chair for Cornerstone Reality.

“What we do is very important because it’s not just about the data, it’s about the people,” Harper said. “They depend on us to protect their data, security and livelihood.”

Because of her successful endeavors in the battle with information security, Harper was named one of Crain’s 40 under 40, which honors the community's high achievers. She was also recently named Oakland County’s Elite 40 Under 40.

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“I was really excited and honored,” Harper said. “It’s great to get industry validation and to have what we do get recognized.”

Harper was a student in Oakland University’s School of Business Administration, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems in 2002, and later attending Walsh College for her master’s. She maintains relationships with many of her Oakland professors, who helped guide her as a student to analyze her thoughts, defend respectfully and “sit in the hot seat.”

“As a risk and security professional we have to give difficult messages sometimes so you must be able to articulate and able to defend your thoughts,” Harper said. “My interactions with all the different business professors really helped. They are some of the best in the industry.”

“Regardless of whether you’re a bank teller or service representative at the energy company, we all have a part in protecting data thereby protecting each other,” she said. “If we all just do our part, that’s how we make our impact.”