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Briefs: Company news, May 2016

»Joanne Isham (left) has joined security firm HyTrust as a member of the firm's Federal Advisory Board. Isham will help the company build momentum in the public sector by assisting government agencies to achieve cost effective security solutions. Previously, Isham severed as a career officer with the Central Intelligence Agency and has also held several senior management positions in the intelligence community including deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).

»Connecticut-based connected car technology firm Harman International Industries has acquired automotive cybersecurity firm TowerSec. TowerSec specializes in onboard network protection for connected vehicles and the acquisition will help Harman better secure its products. TowerSec's embedded automotive software security products will be integrated into Harman's security architecture and will be used to protect the critical vehicle systems and functions from hacking and intrusions.

»Lisa Schlosser has been appointed as the interim chief information officer (CIO) at the  Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as the agency continues to search for a full-time CIO. Previously, Schlosser served as deputy federal chief information officer at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OPM is transitioning to a new IT structure in which government employee background checks will be managed by the National Background Investigations Bureau, a new agency announced in January that will report to the OPM.

»Former hacktivist Mustafa Al-Bassam who is known for launching high-profile cyberattacks against both the public and private sector is turning over a new leaf as part-time security adviser of U.K.-based online payments firm Secure Trading. Al-Bassam will reportedly work on the firm's “Trustery” project to assist in the development of a platform that applies the verification benefits of blockchain technology in order to improve the visibility and security of online payments.

»Douglas DeGrote (left) will join Minneapolis-based Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America as the new chief information security officer in the IT division. DeGrote will report to Jeff Palm, CIO, and be responsible for overseeing the design of IT controls, risk and the overall security management strategy of the company. Prior to this position, Douglas was the chief information security officer for Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy. He has more than 25 years of experience in risk and security management and holds a degree in computer programming and operations.

»Alon Chaver will join Minneapolis-based brokerage firm HomeServices of America as its new chief information officer. Chaver will be responsible for strategic planning and business development as well as championing the process of gathering, analyzing and integrating data across all platforms. Prior to this position, Chaver was Trulia's vice president of industry services. He has more than 20 years of product innovation and leadership experience.

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