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John N. Stewart

Senior Vice President

Chief Security & Trust Office

John N. Stewart formed and leads Cisco’s Security and Trust Organization, which underscores the company’s commitment to address two of the most critical and top-of-mind issues for boardrooms and world leaders alike. Under Stewart’s leadership, the organization’s core missions include protecting Cisco’s public- and private-sector customers, enabling and ensuring Cisco Secure Development Lifecycle and Trustworthy Systems efforts across the company’s portfolio, and leadership in data protection and privacy, trust and assurance, and cybersecurity efforts with governments globally.

Throughout his 25-year career, Stewart has led or participated in widely ranging security initiatives from IT design for elementary schools to national security programs. He is a Board Director for ReFirm Labs and SpyCloud, special advisor to the Board of Directors for Focal Point, RedSeal, and NSX, llc. (LSE: NSX) and is on the Syracuse University’s College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Council. Stewart previously served on the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Cyber Security Review panel, the Cybersecurity Think Tank at the University of Maryland University College, and the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th United States Presidency. During his career, Stewart has served on the Board of Directors for Fixmo, Koolspan, the National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA), RiskSense, Shadow Networks, and Shape Security. He has been on advisory boards for Akonix Systems, Anomali, Area 1 Security, BlackStratus, Cloudshield Technologies, Finjan Holdings, Ingrian Networks, Nok Nok Labs, Riverhead Networks, and TripWire.

Stewart, a highly sought public and closed-door speaker who leads an organization that is well-recognized across the industry, keynoted RSA Conference USA 2018. In 2017, the International Business Awards (Stevie Awards) and the Golden Bridge Awards honored the Cisco Security and Trust Organization as IT Team of the Year and Management Team of the Year, respectively, with Stewart also winning a ‘Stevie’ as an Innovator of the Year in Computer Services and Software. Additionally, Stewart won the 2017 Ada Award for his vision of a Trust-Based Ecosystem of Technologies, Process and People. In the past three years, Stewart and his team have received numerous industry awards, including Info Security Products Guide Global Excellence Award for Security Organization of the Year (2016); as well as RSA’s Award for Excellence in Information Security (2015), the Global Golden Bridge Award for CISO of the Year (2014), and the CSO 40 Silver Award for Chief Security Officer of the Year (2014) for Stewart individually.

Stewart has a Master of Science degree in computer and information science from Syracuse University.

Articles

September 30, 2019

SECURITY

Our World in Transition and Our Future Demands

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come, study the trends we face today, and look ahead to opportunities facing the security community and society.

September 26, 2018

SECURITY

Build a Secure Cyber Foundation

Cybersecurity Awareness Month brings to light the many successes we’ve realized and the struggles we continue to face – a sobering reminder that our work is far from finished.

April 18, 2018

SECURITY

Imagine Our Collective Impact on Cybersecurity

I just had a heart-to-heart talk with a few thousand of my fellow security professionals at the RSA Conference. We had a lot to discuss. As I walked off the...

January 16, 2018

SECURITY

Broadening the Art of the Possible Through Diversity

During a recent conversation with an industry peer and great friend, he asked, “How did you make Cisco’s Security and Trust Organization so inclusive and diverse?” The question made me...

October 18, 2017

EXECUTIVE PLATFORM

Podcast: Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Cyber Threats

For many countries around the world, October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, when participating governments and private industry sponsor advocacy campaigns to promote cyber awareness, and provide the information and...

September 28, 2017

SECURITY

Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Threats

For the European Union, the U.S., and many countries around the world, October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time to broaden awareness and expand the conversation on staying safe...

September 6, 2017

SECURITY

Culture of Security Nets Industry Recognition

One of the best aspects of my job is when I get to recognize my team for their passion, dedication and excellence – characteristics that I see and appreciate in...

June 21, 2017

SECURITY

Control Your Own Security

Digitization continues to change business at an amazing rate and in many ways. As business leaders around the world embrace ‘Digital’ to simplify, automate, and deliver innovation, they’re no longer simply using Information Technology to run their businesses; IT is enabling it. IT is the vital lifeblood of a business and we must protect it […]