Microsoft hired a Google exec to replace security boss Charlie Bell, who is moving to a new IC role, internal memo shows

"Microsoft's security boss, Charlie Bell, is moving to a new role as an individual contributor, and the company hired Google executive Hayete Gallot to replace him, according to an internal memo from CEO Satya Nadella. Gallot is a former Microsoft executive who joined Google in 2024 as president of customer experience for Google Cloud. Bell, considered a key building of Amazon Web Services, joined Microsoft in 2021 to run a newly formed organization focused on cybersecurity."

"Microsoft has faced security challenges during Bell's tenure. The Department of Homeland Security in 2024, for example, condemned Microsoft for what it called "a cascade of security failures" that allowed Chinese hackers to access emails from thousands of customers. Microsoft, that same year, expanded what the company calls its Secure Future Initiative, making security the top priority for every employee, including adding security as a metric on which employees are evaluated during performance reviews."

Hayete Gallot will rejoin Microsoft as Executive Vice President, Security after serving at Google in 2024 as president of customer experience for Google Cloud. Charlie Bell will move into an individual contributor role focused on engineering quality. Bell joined Microsoft in 2021 to lead a new cybersecurity organization and previously played a major role at Amazon Web Services. Microsoft experienced notable security incidents during Bell's tenure, including a 2024 Department of Homeland Security condemnation of a cascade of security failures that exposed customer emails. Microsoft expanded its Secure Future Initiative and added security metrics to employee performance reviews.

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