Target names DeRodes CIO; Aims to rebuild security chops
Target named Bob DeRodes chief information officer as the company aims to recover from its data breach late last year and rebuild its reputation.
DeRodes has retail experience and was charged with revamping Home Depot's information technology in the early 2000s. Before that position DeRodes was credited with making Delta's IT a competitive differentiator.
For Target, DeRodes (right) also brings security chops to the table. He was an advisor to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense. DeRodes also held technology positions at First Data and CitiBank so he has experience in payments too.
Also see: Target's IT, security scrutiny could spread
In a statement, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel said DeRodes, who will start May 5, is part of a plan is to create a "clear path forward for Target following the data breach." Former Target CIO Beth Jacob stepped down in March.
DeRodes will oversee Target's technology team and operations, develop a long term digital roadmap and security improvements. Target said that it is actively searching for a chief information security officer and compliance lead.
To set the table for DeRodes, Target outlined the following moves since the data breach:
- Enhancing monitoring and logging with more rules, alerts and centralized feeds.
- Point-of-sale systems that whitelist applications.
- New network firewall rules and a governance process.
- Limiting vendor access.
- Reset 445,000 Target employee and contractor passwords.
Target added that it will give its REDcards chip-and-pin technology in early 2015 and will work with Mastercard to reissue cards. Chip enabled payment systems will also be available by then.
Previously: Target's data breach tab mostly covered by insurance so far | How hackers stole millions of credit card records from Target | Target hackers hit air-conditioning firm first as a way in | Target's data breach: It gets worse | Many times bitten, retailers scramble to prevent another Target-like meltdown | Visa CEO: We need better security, EMV chips, tokens