Cloud Security

Proofpoint Appoints Ben McLaughlin as Chief Information Security Officer

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We are thrilled to announce that Ben McLaughlin has been appointed as Proofpoint’s Chief Information Security Officer.

Ben is an accomplished cybersecurity executive with an exceptional record of execution and leadership. He has dedicated over 30 years of his career to managing security across large global enterprises, driving risk management, business growth and digital transformation in the SaaS, Cloud Services and Semiconductor sectors. He brings broad exposure from start-ups to Fortune 200 organisations and is skilled at articulating a risk-oriented and holistic view of cybersecurity posture to C-Suite and board-level audiences.

Before joining Proofpoint, Ben spent over 17 years at the data storage company, Seagate Technology. From 2014 to 2019, he led the information security efforts across Seagate’s worldwide manufacturing operations, encompassing 35,000 employees and 55,000 endpoints. In 2019, he transitioned to the role of CISO for Seagate LYVE Cloud, where he established a diverse, global security team and built a comprehensive security program from the ground up, accelerating the business’s rapid growth to 20 locations across the US, Europe, and Asia.

In 2023, Ben’s passion for cybersecurity and data protection led him to found Contact Light, a consultancy firm where he leveraged his extensive experience to advise late-stage start-ups, primarily Series B and Series C. Through the implementation of robust governance, security transformations, and optimal platforms, Ben successfully positioned these companies to frictionlessly scale through their next critical phases of growth.

Today in his role at Proofpoint, Ben will oversee all aspects of Proofpoint’s global cybersecurity strategy, risk management programs, and compliance initiatives. His deep understanding of the modern threat landscape and his ability to anticipate challenges will enable him to strengthen our defenses while supporting our commitment to innovation and excellence.

Commenting on his appointment, Ben said, “I was drawn to Proofpoint because of its mission: protect people and defend data. As the threat landscape becomes increasingly sophisticated and expansive, it is imperative that organisations take a human-centric approach to securing their most valuable assets. I am committed to leading by example while enhancing Proofpoint’s robust internal security program to further meet the needs of customers and partners across different regions and industries.”

John Abel, Chief Information Officer at Proofpoint added: “As Proofpoint enters its next phase of growth, we are excited to add a seasoned CISO to the team. Ben’s impressive professional background is already proving to be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our leadership position in the industry. His guidance is helping Proofpoint maintain and strengthen customer trust by increasing transparency and ensuring our security efforts stay ahead of emerging threats.”