Rockwell Automation, a prominent industrial automation company listed on the NYSE under the symbol ROK, has announced the hiring of Stephen Ford as Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Ford, formerly Vice President, Global Security at McKesson Corporation, joins Rockwell with a wealth of experience in cybersecurity operations, offensive security, incident response, and access management. His background includes leadership roles at renowned organizations such as HP, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, demonstrating a strong foundation in IT infrastructure and information security.
Ford’s academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA from Prairieview A&M University, as well as a master’s degree from Harvard University. In his new role, Ford will report to Chris Nardecchia, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Rockwell Automation. This appointment comes in the wake of Rockwell’s strategic move to acquire Verve Industrial Protection, a cybersecurity firm specializing in industrial control systems (ICS) and operational technology (OT), signaling the company’s proactive approach to enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities amidst the evolving threat landscape.
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation boasts a global workforce of approximately 29,000 employees operating in over 100 countries. With Ford’s expertise and leadership, coupled with recent strategic acquisitions, Rockwell is poised to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses and uphold its commitment to delivering innovative solutions for industrial automation and control systems worldwide.
