March 12, 2024 CDG Names Former USC CISO Gus Anagnos COO

The new addition comes as the organization moves towards enterprise expansion.

Cyber Defense Group (CDG) has appointed former USC CISO, Gus Anagnos as the organization’s new chief operating officer (COO). This strategic appointment indicates a key shift for CDG as it spearheads hypergrowth in the enterprise space.

In his new role, Anagnos is tasked with driving CDG’s corporate strategy, optimizing delivery operations, and enhancing account management and customer success. He will lead the charge on strategic decision making, business development, and innovation in cybersecurity service delivery.

“CDG’s commitment to making cybersecurity accessible to businesses of all sizes was a major driver in my decision to join the team. Having worked at companies large and small, across diverse industries, one thing is for certain: cybercriminals will leave no stone unturned. No business is immune,” said Anagnos. “I am honored to join CDG at such a crucial point in its evolution. The opportunity to drive the company’s strategic expansion into the enterprise space is both exciting and challenging. I look forward to leveraging my experience to enhance our offerings, empower businesses against digital threats, and contribute to the company’s success in this new venture.”

Lou Rabon, CEO of CDG, highlighted the importance of Anagnos’ role: “Gus joining our team marks a critical step in CDG’s goal to broaden our reach into the enterprise sector. His unparalleled expertise and leadership in cybersecurity are vital as we evolve our services to meet the demands of larger organizations, ensuring they can navigate the digital landscape securely and successfully. Gus’ vision for growth aligns perfectly with our goals, and we are thrilled to have him on board.”

With more than 25 years of experience, Anagnos brings a wealth of knowledge in cybersecurity, finance, and business management to CDG. Prior to joining as COO, he served a remarkable tenure as chief information security officer (CISO) at the University of Southern California (USC), where he led a comprehensive cybersecurity transformation. Anagnos’ impressive risk management background also includes experience at large enterprise organizations such as PayPal (where he led various security operations and risk management functions, application security and its bug bounty program, which was first of its kind in financial services), Synack, Indymac Federal Bank and General Motors. Anagnos holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Long Beach and an MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business, underscoring his profound understanding of both security and business strategy.

About Cyber Defense Group
Cyber Defense Group specializes in providing comprehensive cybersecurity solutions tailored for the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger organizations in the cloud era. With a focus on innovation and expert-led services, Cyber Defense Group empowers businesses to achieve digital resilience and secure growth in a rapidly evolving landscape.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Alyssa Pallotti
Touchdown PR for Cyber Defense Group
cdg@touchdownpr.om

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