Northrop hires DHS vet Phyllis Schneck

Northrop Grumman has hired Phyllis Schneck, former deputy Homeland Security undersecretary for cybersecurity and communications, as the company’s new chief information security officer.

Schneck will oversee Northrop’s global cyber strategy and be responsible for the security of its products, services and infrastructures, the company said Thursday.

She will report to Shawn Purvis, president of Northrop’s enterprise services organization.

At DHS, Schneck acted as its head of cybersecurity functions and oversaw responses to threats against citizens, businesses and the government.

Most recently, she led the cybersecurity practice at IBM’s Promontory subsidiary. Her private sector career also includes a stint as chief technology officer for McAfee’s global public sector business.