Former Yahoo chief information security officer (CISO) Alex Stamos has been recruited as Facebook’s new chief security officer.
Stamos has confirmed his new position on his personal Facebook and Twitter accounts and replaces Joe Sullivan, who left Facebook in April to join taxi app firm Uber.
“The Internet has been an incredible force for connecting the world and giving individuals access to personal, educational and economic opportunities that are unprecedented in human history. These benefits are not without risk, and it is the responsibility of our industry to build the safest, most trustworthy products possible.”
His role at Facebook will see him focus on making sure that company’s products are as secure as possible, especially as they get used by more people all around the world, he explained:
“The Facebook security team has demonstrated a history of innovation as well as a unique willingness to share those innovations with the world, and we will build upon that history in the years to come.”
“Their commitment, brilliance, drive and pioneering spirit made it a pleasure to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Careers are long, and I hope our paths will cross often in the future. I wish all my friends at Yahoo the very best.”
Stamos’ time at Yahoo saw him publicly clash with the NSA regarding the US government’s demand for encrypted communication from technology companies. At a cybersecurity conference earlier this year, he also called out the US government over claims it was installing ‘backdoors’ into people’s personal PCs.
“If we’re going to build defects, backdoors or golden master keys for the U.S. government, do you believe we should do so… for the Chinese government, the Russian government, the Saudi Arabian government, the Israeli government, the French government?” he asked NSA director Admiral Mike Rogers.
A graduate of UC Berkeley, Stamos is also co-founder of ISEC Partners. He has had previous stints at Loudcloud and NCC Group Domain Services, and before joining Yahoo was CTO at security firm Artemis.
Are you a security pro? Try our quiz!
German foreign minister warns Russia will face consequences for “absolutely intolerable” cyberattack on ruling party,…
Google is reportedly laying off at least 200 staff from its “Core” organisation, including key…
Investor appeasement? Apple unveils huge $110 billion share buyback program, as sales of iPhone decline…
Tesla retreats from pioneering gigacasting manufacturing process, amid cost cutting and challenges at EV giant
No skynet please. After the US, UK and France pledge human only control of nuclear…
Microsoft's AI investments continue in south east Asia, after investments in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, as…