Appgate, the secure access company, announced the
appointment of Leo Taddeo as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and
President of Appgate Federal Division. As CISO, Taddeo will direct Appgate’s
global security operations, crisis management and business continuity
processes. Additionally, he will oversee Appgate’s federal government
business, collaborating with the sales and technical leadership teams to
define and deliver new Zero Trust solutions to meet the needs and desired
outcomes of the company’s public sector customers. He will report directly to
Appgate CEO Barry Field.
“The White House’s mandate that federal organizations fortify their cyber
defense by moving to a Zero Trust architecture represents a seminal moment in
U.S. cybersecurity. I’m excited by the tremendous opportunity this holds for
Appgate, a recognized leader that has long advocated this modern approach to
security, whether for the public or private sector,” said Leo Taddeo, CISO,
Appgate, and President, Appgate Federal.
“Few know the security needs of government agencies and their employees better
than Leo. His hands-on experience, leadership skills and deep understanding of
the federal arena are unparalleled. We could not be more pleased to welcome
him to the Appgate team as we continue to expand our portfolio of Zero Trust
security solutions to meet our customers’ toughest challenges,” said Barry
Field, CEO, Appgate.
Most recently, Taddeo was the CISO of Cyxtera, from which Appgate spun off in
2020, where he also held the position of President, Cyxtera Federal Group. He
is the former Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations/Cyber Division
of the FBI’s New York Office. In this role, he directed over 400 special
agents and professional support personnel conducting cyber investigations,
surveillance operations, information technology support and crisis management.
Previous responsibilities focused on FBI international operations, including
service as a Section Chief in the International Operations Division, where he
managed operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
He received a B.S. in Applied Physics in 1987 from Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute. After completing his studies, Taddeo served as a tank officer in
the U.S. Marine Corps, and in 1991, he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze
Star Medal for valor for his service in the Gulf War. Following his service,
Taddeo earned a J.D. from St. John’s University. Upon graduation, he joined
the law firm of Mound, Cotton & Wollan in New York, where he practiced in the
field of civil litigation until entering duty with the FBI. Taddeo is a
graduate of the CISO Executive Program at Carnegie Mellon University. He
maintains the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and
GIAC Certified Incident Handler certifications.
