British telecommunications services company BT has appointed Les Anderson as vice president of cyber at BT Security in an effort to enhance protection of both the organization itself and its customers.
Before joining BT, Anderson worked for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the British intelligence agency, where he played an important role in IT security. Prior to GCHQ, Anderson developed new IT security capabilities and managed large scale defense procurements at a research agency of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, the telecoms company noted.
“A steady stream of high profile hacks and headlines over the past 12 months should leave little doubt about the importance of robust cyber-defence and governance. Now, more than ever, cyber security needs to be firmly on the radar of both Governments and board-room executives,” Anderson said.
“I am delighted to be joining a leading global communications company that has security at the top of its agenda. I am looking forward to joining BT and starting the next chapter of my career.”
“We are delighted that Les is joining the BT Security team. Protecting BT and its customers is vitally important to us. Les brings with him a wealth of unique experience which will be invaluable to us. He is the right person to help us navigate through the fast moving and ever-changing security threat landscape,” commented Mark Hughes, president at BT Security.
In a report published in February, BT revealed that British companies lagged behind American businesses in cyber security readiness. In the UK, only 17% of business leaders see cyber security as a priority, and 55% of IT decision makers believe their boards underestimate its importance.