BT has named former GCHQ and Ministry of Defence man Les Anderson as its new VP of ‘cyber’ – a role which will see him play a major part in defending the telco giant and its customers against a formidable and sophisticated enemy.
Anderson boasts an impressive track record, having spent 27 years working for the intelligence, security and defence services as a technologist and program manager, according to BT.
Most recently, he was at intelligence agency GCHQ where he apparently developed “pioneering IT security capabilities”.
The agency has, of course, been under fire of late for the role it played in the NSA’s extensive snooping program, including allegations in March that it hacked several German satellite IP service providers.
Before his stint at the controversial listening post, Anderson spent a decade at the Ministry of Defence, where he developed more of those IT security capabilities, and managed large scale procuments.
“A steady stream of high profile hacks and headlines over the past 12 months should leave little doubt about the importance of robust cyber-defense and governance. Now, more than ever, cyber security needs to be firmly on the radar of both governments and board-room executives,” said Anderson in a statement.
“I am delighted to be joining a leading global communications company that has security at the top of its agenda.”
Anderson’s arrival comes just a few months after BT said goodbye to Bruce Schneier, who was at the firm eight years as chief security technology officer and then “security futurologist”.
It has been claimed, although not by BT, that Schneier’s outspoken criticism of the NSA and GCHQ became increasingly difficult for the telco giant, which has been accused of co-operating with the security agencies.
Anderson was welcomed by BT Security president, Mark Hughes, as a man with “a wealth of unique experience”.
“He is the right person to help us navigate through the fast moving and ever-changing security threat landscape,” Hughes said in a statement.
Anderson will certainly have a large team of expertise to draw on. BT Security boasts 1,300 security practitioners who advise customers across the globe, 600 security “specialists” and a 4,000-strong professional services team, according to the firm.