NTT Com Security Appoints John Theobald as Global CISO

Ismaning, Germany, 5 March 2014 – Global information security and risk management company, NTT Com Security (formerly Integralis) has announced the appointment of John Theobald to the newly created role of Global Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).  Based in London, John will work directly with the Vorstand (Management Board).

With 25 years of experience building security teams and leading information security transformation programmes, John previously held senior roles at Bupa and RBS.  He was also Global Head of Information Risk at Barclay’s Bank, where he built a global team and helped change the way the organisation managed and communicated information security and risk management issues internally.

More recently, John was a Managing Consultant in the UK Information Security Practice at NTT Com Security, which provides managed security, consulting and technology services under the company’s WideAngle brand.  John built and managed a portfolio of global blue-chip customers, including Jaguar Land Rover, where he adopted the role of interim CISO.

“The role of CISO is more important than ever,” according to John Theobald. “Security is no longer an IT issue, but a business one and needs to be managed at the most senior level of the business.  Working with global customers, we recommend that the role of CISO is a business-led one and not a technology one, which requires very different management and communication skills.  It’s about understanding the impact to the business in terms of information risk not just operational risk, but it’s also about being able to communicate with all levels of the organisation from the top down.”

In his role as Global CISO, John will to drive the information security agenda for NTT Com Security in a constantly evolving threat landscape.  As the information security threat becomes more complex and the potential for incidents disrupting organisations more prevalent, NTT Com Security is uniquely placed to help clients manage and protect their business.  John will be available to advise the NTT Group of companies, as well as provide advice to NTT Com Security’s customer base.

Tetsuo Someya, Chief Business Development Officer and Chief Governance Officer, NTT Com Security, adds: “We’re delighted to appoint John to this new role.  As an information security and risk management specialist, we recognise the importance of such a senior role within our own business and how this reflects on our clients.  It also reaffirms our strong commitment to our own information security.”