Target names top digital cop

Target has bolstered its digital security efforts with the appointment of former General Motors and General Electric executive Brad Maiorino to the newly created role of SVP and chief information security officer.

Maiorino will join Target June 16 and be responsible for the retailer’s information security and technology risk strategy to help ensure customers and employees are protected from internal and external information security threats. He will report to Bob DeRodes, EVP and chief information officer who was hired earlier this year in the aftermath of a massive data breach during the 2013 holiday season.

“Having led this critical function at two of the country’s largest companies, Brad is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top leaders in the complex, evolving areas of information security and risk,” said DeRodes. “As an organization, we have made a commitment to our guests and our team that Target will be a retail leader in information security and protection. We believe Brad is the right person to lead that charge.”

Maiorino comes to Target from General Motors where he was the company’s chief information security and information technology risk officer. He led the automaker’s transformation of its global information security and IT risk organization. Prior to General Motors, he was the chief information security officer at General Electric.

"I am looking forward to joining the Target team and helping them continue the progress they have made to be a retail leader in information security and protection,” said Maiorino. “I am confident that the combination of a strong team and the leadership commitment will enable us to achieve that objective.”