Palo Alto Networks continues public sector momentum

Palo Alto Networks®, the leader in enterprise security based in Santa Clara, CA, announced several public sector focused activities on February 12, including the formation of the Palo Alto Networks Public Sector Advisory Council, which officially convened in 2014, and the appointment of Ryan Gillis as Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy.

Formed last year, the Palo Alto Networks Public Sector Advisory Council serves as a sounding board for Palo Alto Networks roadmap and vision for the needs of the international public sector, as well as strategy and policy relevant to global cybersecurity. The Honorable Ashton Carter, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, recently stepped down from the Council following his confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Defense. With this change, council members include:

• Retired Army Lieutenant General Mike Flynn, former Director, U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency
• Retired Army Lieutenant General Rhett Hernandez, former Chief of Army Cyber Command
• Bruce McConnell, former Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Retired Marine General Peter Pace, 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Richard Spires, former Chief Information Officer, Department of Homeland Security
• Teri Takai, former Chief Information Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
• Mark Weatherford, former Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

In addition to the Council, Ryan Gillis joined Palo Alto Networks in January 2015 as Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy. Ryan joins from the White House, where he was Director of Legislative Affairs and Cybersecurity Policy for the National Security Council. He began working in the White House in 2012, following six years with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), culminating with his position there as Senior Advisor and Legislative Director, managing issues such as cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.

His hands-on experience will be instrumental in his role as Palo Alto Networks’ primary point of contact for public policy and legislative matters. He will be responsible for developing company corporate policy, and ensuring appropriate company participation in government forums and industry initiatives.

“We are delighted and honored to work with our Public Sector Advisory Council members in tackling the most difficult cybersecurity issues facing governments worldwide – an extremely relevant topic for all at this time in history. The Council members bring an unparalleled depth of experience and public service to bear in providing advice and direction in the security space,” said Mark McLaughlin, Palo Alto Networks Chairman, CEO and President. “I’m also pleased to welcome Ryan Gillis to Palo Alto Networks and am looking forward to his leadership in our government-related cybersecurity policy and education matters.”

In other related news, on November 19, 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Mark McLaughlin to the position of Chairman of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC). The Committee’s mission is to provide the U.S. Government with advice from industry leaders on matters related to national security and emergency preparedness. Mr. McLaughlin has served on the NSTAC since January 2011 and was Vice Chairman from 2012 to 2014.

Source: Palo Alto Networks