TAMPA, FL – Focal Point Data Risk, one of the nation’s fastest growing technology risk management firms, today announced the appointment of long-time Cisco security leader John Stewart as an advisor to its Board of Directors. Stewart currently serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Security and Trust Officer at Cisco.
Stewart is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in cyber security, data protection and privacy, and assurance and trust. He formed and leads Cisco’s Security and Trust Organization, whose core missions are to protect Cisco’s public- and private-sector customers, and to enable and ensure the Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle and Trustworthy Systems efforts across the company’s portfolio. In addition to being a highly sought public and closed-door speaker – including keynoting the 2018 RSA Conference USA – Stewart is a trusted advisor to CEOs, CISOs, and other business leaders at some of the most innovative companies in the world.
“With the amount of data being created and the evolving threats to its security, it has never been more challenging for clients to manage and protect their most sensitive assets,” said Brian Marlier, CEO of Focal Point. “Time and again, John has shown the ability to overcome these challenges, both at Cisco and through IT initiatives he has led across the globe. As a long-time innovator in the security and privacy space, John is perfectly positioned to provide essential guidance to our clients and innovative thought leadership to our company.”
The appointment comes at a crucial moment for Focal Point, which has seen rapid growth over the past year, particularly among the Fortune 100. With experts from across the risk management spectrum, Focal Point excels at solving the enterprise-wide technology and data challenges that other firms cannot. The company offers security and privacy consulting, technology implementations and integrations, and cyber security training services – often integrating those services to deliver major transformations for clients.
“Focal Point is innovating, taking experiences from one sector and applying it to another, and I’m excited to contribute to their already great team,” said Stewart. “I’m keenly aware of the challenges facing all industries, from finding and developing talent, to managing and mitigating risk, to staying ahead of the threat. I look forward to working with the Focal Point leadership team to help them address those challenges head on.”
In addition to his experience at Cisco, Stewart has led or participated in a wide range of security initiatives – from IT design for elementary schools to national security programs. He currently sits on Syracuse University’s College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Council, and has previously served on the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Cyber Security Review panel, the Cybersecurity Think Tank at the University of Maryland University College, and the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th United States Presidency. Stewart and his team are also recipients of multiple awards and accolades, including the International Business Award for Innovator of the Year in Computer Services and Software, the Ada Award for his vision of a Trust-Based Ecosystem of Technologies, Process and People, RSA’s Award for Excellence in Information Security, the Global Golden Bridge Award for CISO of the Year, and the CSO 40 Silver Award for Chief Security Officer of the Year.
Follow Focal Point Data Risk
Twitter: @focalpointdr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focal-point-data-risk
Blog: https://blog.focal-point.com/