Cryptzone appoints cybersecurity expert Leo Taddeo as CSO

Prior to joining Cryptzone, Taddeo led more than 400 agents and professional support staff in cyber investigations, surveillance operations, information technology support and crisis management for the FBI. He oversaw high profile cases, including Silk Road, Blackshades and JP Morgan.

“Cybercrime is now the dominant, fastest growing security threat to businesses and critical infrastructure, especially in the financial sector,” said Taddeo. “In diving deep into breach after breach, it became clear that there are very few perimeter protection technologies that can stop, or even slow down, a dedicated cybercriminal or nation state. Cryptzone’s solutions provide a significant advantage with network defenders that make it extremely difficult for an adversary to navigate within a network, even if they are able to penetrate the perimeter. Cryptzone’s disruptive technology helps organisations fill a critical security gap by hardening the soft interior of their networks. I am thrilled to be joining the company and to continue making important contributions to the security of private and public networks.”

Previously, Taddeo served as a Section Chief in the International Operations Division, where he managed FBI operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Taddeo has held various roles of increasing responsibilities in the field, including supervising a joint FBI/New York City Police Department Joint Terrorism Task Force and serving as the Legal Attaché in Rome, Italy.

“Cryptzone is steadfast in its commitment to provide comprehensive security solutions, and the addition of Leo, a widely recognised cybersecurity professional, adds deep domain insight into the techniques, tactics and procedures used by cybercriminals, and how to protect against them,” said Kurt A. Mueffelmann, President and CEO of Cryptzone. “His extensive industry knowledge gives customers an advantage, as Cryptzone enables them to determine how to protect critical services, applications and content from internal and external threats.”

After receiving his degree in applied physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1987, Taddeo served as a tank officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1991, he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal for valor for service in the Gulf War. Taddeo then earned a Juris Doctor from St. John’s University and joined the New York law firm of Mound, Cotton & Wollan, where he practiced civil litigation until entering the FBI.

Taddeo is a graduate of the CISO Executive Program at Carnegie Mellon University. He also maintains the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and GIAC Certified Incident Handler certifications.

Taddeo will leverage Cryptzone’s award-wining portfolio of solutions to empower customers with the knowledge and capability to defend against breaches. Cryptzone’s product line includes AppGate®, a dynamic, context aware security gateway that prevents unauthorised access; HiSoftware Security Sheriff® an integrated classification, encryption and content protection solution for SharePoint®, Office 365 and File Shares; Simple Encryption PlatformTM, which secures data in email, removable storage, files and folders; and Compliance Sheriff TM, which provides content governance for public websites, intranets and extranets.