Rachel Bush’s cybersecurity story is one of evolution and impact. With more than two decades in technology leadership, she didn’t begin in cybersecurity but discovered it through experience — transitioning from help desk operations into cybersecurity operations, where she built high-performing teams and improved processes that became industry recognized.
That curiosity and drive have guided her ascent to Nationwide’s Deputy Chief Information Security Officer and Vice President of Information Risk Governance, where she now leads one of the most progressive transformations in enterprise cybersecurity.
“I’ve always been drawn to complex problems that matter,” she says. “Cybersecurity is one of those rare disciplines where technology, people, and business strategy intersect — and where every decision shapes trust.”
Transforming risk governance at scale
At Nationwide, Bush’s leadership is redefining how a Fortune 75 organization understands and manages risk. Over the past year, she has spearheaded a comprehensive Enterprise Business Impact Analysis, working across business and technology units to align on true criticality and risk tolerance. The initiative brought new visibility into which applications are essential to operations, mapping them to business processes and identifying gaps in continuity and governance.
This work wasn’t just a compliance exercise — it laid the foundation for a more resilient, risk-aware culture. “We moved from a checklist mentality to a strategy built on awareness and accountability,” Bush explains. “Our goal was to make resilience measurable and meaningful.”
She also led the transformation of the Business Information Security Office (BISO), embedding cybersecurity professionals directly within business operations. What was once a traditional front-office support function is now a strategic capability, ensuring security standards are integrated into every stage of business and technology planning. As VP of Information Risk Governance, she has shifted the enterprise away from isolated findings and toward understanding holistic risk themes — and she is modernizing third-party cyber risk with AI, collapsing manual review cycles from weeks to minutes.
Leading with clarity and courage
Colleagues describe Bush as someone whose perspective is both fearless and deeply informed. She’s known for asking tough questions and for distilling complex, technical topics into clear, actionable insights that resonate with senior executives. That clarity has made her one of Nationwide’s go-to leaders for cybersecurity and risk guidance, frequently sought out by the C-suite for her perspective.
Her leadership style is pragmatic and empathetic — rooted in decades of technical experience and shaped by the realities of managing teams, family, and community commitments. A working mother of active children, Bush embodies the balance between professional excellence and personal presence.
“You can lead at a high level and still show up for your life outside of work,” she often tells her mentees. “That’s not a contradiction — it’s a model for sustainability.”
Championing inclusion and mentorship
Beyond her executive role, Bush is a passionate advocate for inclusion in cybersecurity. She has led Nationwide’s intern program for Information Risk Management and Cyber professions, intentionally building a diverse talent pipeline and helping more women enter and advance in the field. She mentors both formally and informally — supporting aspiring professionals through enterprise mentorship programs as well as personal outreach.
Her influence extends beyond Nationwide. Bush is an active member of ISC², the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), and the Columbus State Business Industry Leadership Team, helping shape cybersecurity curriculum for college students. She’s a frequent keynote speaker for organizations such as CXO Institute and often serves as a spokesperson on cybersecurity topics in Nationwide news and public media.
Shaping the future of cyber resilience
Bush’s career embodies what it means to be a modern cybersecurity leader: technical credibility, business fluency, and an unwavering focus on people. Her work is changing how Nationwide — and the broader industry — approaches risk, continuity, and resilience amid rapid digital transformation.
“Resilience isn’t just a framework or a project,” she says. “It’s a mindset. It’s how you lead, how you prepare, and how you help others rise with you.”
Through her vision and influence, Rachel Bush is helping define that mindset — one where technology risk is understood, managed, and transformed into opportunity. She’s not only protecting systems; she’s strengthening the connective tissue that keeps organizations, and the people behind them, secure.
