Apple has appointed a respected expert in computer security as its new Global Director of Security, according to All Things Digital.
The Wall Street Journal tech blog says several sources have confirmed that David Rice is expected to take up the post in March.
Rice was trained by the US Navy and worked for the US National Security Agency, but became more widely known with the 2007 publication of Geekonomics, a book that calls for a “bug tax” to penalise organisations that release insecure or buggy software.
Apple declined to comment.
All Things Digital speculates that Rice has been hired to strengthen Apple’s hand in enterprise and assuage any doubts about security implications of deploying iPads and iPhones.
“Those who know Rice describe him as a deeply respected name in IT security circles who not only can speak the kind of language that makes CIOs comfortable, but can also back up that language with the skills and knowledge to match.”
Apple has had considerable success with selling the iPad to enterprise, a fact that hasn’t escaped Microsoft’s notice.
The Redmond WA behemoth has been distributing a PowerPoint presentation extolling the virtues of Windows 7 tablets against iPad’s lack of enterprise software and those key business tools, Flash and Silverlight.
