Cloud security company Lacework has announced the appointment of Lea Kissner as its new chief information security officer (CISO). Kissner, who previously held the position of CISO at Twitter, will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of Lacework’s overall security strategy and programs. With over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, including roles at Humu and Google, Kissner brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
In another notable appointment, Maria Milosavljevic has been named the new CISO of ANZ Banking Group. Milosavljevic, who previously served as the CISO and chief data officer at Services Australia, will take over from Lynwen Connick, who is set to retire in October. Milosavljevic’s role will involve ensuring ANZ’s information security strategy addresses the challenging cybersecurity landscape and supports the bank’s digital transformation. She is expected to start on Monday, August 28.
Lee Buttke has been appointed as the new CISO of AgileBlue, an autonomous cybersecurity operations center and security orchestration and automated response platform. In addition to his role as CISO, Buttke will also serve as the managing director at AgileBlue. His previous experience includes positions at Online Business Systems, NetSPI, and Truonix. Buttke’s appointment is expected to further enhance AgileBlue’s security capabilities and strengthen their position in the cybersecurity market.
Drata, a security and compliance automation platform, has announced the appointment of Matt Hilary as its vice president of security and CISO. Hilary, who previously held senior security roles at Lumio, Weave, and Workfront, will be responsible for overseeing the company’s security operations and ensuring compliance with industry standards. His extensive experience in cybersecurity will contribute to Drata’s mission of automating security and compliance processes for businesses.
Insurance firm Travelers has appointed Bill O’Hern as its senior vice president and CISO. O’Hern brings over 20 years of experience in security-related roles, having previously served as the chief security officer at AT&T and the general manager for the Midwest US region at Handex Environmental. In his new role, O’Hern will be responsible for enhancing Travelers’ security protocols and protecting the company and its customers from cybersecurity threats.
Earl Duby has been named as the CISO of Auxiom, a managed service provider based in Michigan. With his extensive experience in cybersecurity, including roles at Lear Corp., GE, Affina Group, and Federal Mogul, Duby is well-equipped to lead Auxiom’s security efforts. As the company’s first-ever CISO, Duby will play a crucial role in ensuring the security of Auxiom’s managed services and client data.
In other news, Anne Keast-Butler has been appointed as the new director of intelligence, security, and cyber agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in the UK. Keast-Butler, who currently serves as the deputy director general at MI5, will become the first female director of GCHQ. Her appointment follows a cross-government recruitment process and will see her take up the post in May.
Bryce Carter has been appointed as the first chief information security officer for the city of Arlington, Texas. Carter, who previously held security-related roles in Bellingham, Washington, Miami County, Kansas, and various companies, plans to focus on creating an enterprise-wide security program and reducing security outsourcing in his new role.
Brian Contos has been named as the chief strategy officer at Sevco Security, a cyber asset attack surface management company. With his extensive experience in the security industry, including roles at Verodin and as a co-author of “Physical & Logical Security Convergence,” Contos brings valuable expertise to Sevco Security. He aims to deliver a disruptive approach to security and help organizations maximize the value of their security investments.
James Hill has been appointed as the CISO of CYTRACOM, a cloud infrastructure software developer. Hill’s role will involve ensuring the security of CYTRACOM and its employees by implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy. With his technical expertise and experience in people development, Hill is well-suited to his new role.
IntelePeer, a communications automation provider, has named Gary Starling as its new CISO. Starling, who previously served as the vice president of IT and security at IntelePeer, will be responsible for streamlining IT and security solutions across the company’s business units. His extensive experience in IT infrastructure and security will contribute to IntelePeer’s efforts to mitigate emerging threats.
In March 2023, Howard University appointed Andrea Simpson as its new CISO. Simpson, who has over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, previously held the CISO role at the Federal Communications Commission and AmeriCorps. Her appointment at Howard University will enable her to create opportunities for young adults to gain hands-on cyber experience.
FTI Consulting has appointed Meredith Griffanti as the global head of cybersecurity and data privacy communications. Based in New York, Griffanti will be responsible for strengthening the firm’s cybersecurity communications capabilities. Her expertise in crisis communications and cybersecurity preparedness planning will enhance collaboration and support for clients.
SwitchDin, an energy technology company, has appointed Sebastian Welsh as its first CISO. Welsh, who previously held security roles at Canva and Google, will establish security frameworks for emerging technologies at SwitchDin.
Kordia, a technology services firm in New Zealand, has appointed Joshua Reedy as its new CISO. With his experience in overseeing security operations and leading internal offensive security teams at Vodafone, Reedy will play a significant role in enhancing Kordia’s internal cybersecurity posture.
Global risk and financial advisory service provider Kroll has named David Dunn as its new CISO. Dunn, who previously served as the deputy CISO at Kroll, will strengthen the firm’s security program to address the ever-evolving threat landscape. With his extensive experience in law enforcement and cybersecurity, Dunn brings valuable expertise to Kroll.
Cloud threat detection provider Rapid7 has appointed Jaya Baloo as its CSO. Baloo, who has over 20 years of cybersecurity experience and previously served as the CISO at KPN, will strengthen Rapid7’s internal security program and expand access to cybersecurity across industries.
These recent appointments highlight the increasing importance of cybersecurity in various industries. As organizations continue to face evolving cyber threats, the role of CISOs becomes crucial in developing and implementing effective security strategies. With their extensive experience and expertise, these new CISOs are well-positioned to protect organizations from cyber threats and drive secure digital transformation.