Chris Brannon

Chris Brannon

Chief Information Security Officer, Security Business Group at Cisco Systems

Cisco•Durham, North Carolina, United States

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Experience29+ Years
LevelCXO

Executive Overview

Information Security & Cloud Operations executive with extensive experience with Information Security, Public Cloud, IT Infrastructure, Operations and Development/Engineering. Can dive into details without losing sight of the big picture. Highly effective leader and manager of strong, motivated, and empowered teams. Flexible approach to optimize processes and tools in a secure, scalable, and efficient way to meet key business objectives. Extremely passionate about security, including cloud security, proactive hardening, third-party audits, incident response and driving internal adoption of security policies. Extensive background with operations and development informs a very pragmatic approach to security. Effective communicator and problem solver who is energized by a broad portfolio, setting strategic direction, and focusing intensely on areas of need. Enjoys change, new challenges and “productive pressure.”

Career Timeline

Professional employment history
  • CiscoCurrent
    Sep 2013–Present· 13 yrs 1 mo
    • Chief Information Security Officer, Security Business GroupCurrent
      Nov 2024–Present
    • Head of Security, Information Security, AppDynamics Business Unit
      Aug 2022–Nov 2024
    • Director, Security Engineering, AppDynamics Business Unit
      2021–Aug 2022
    • Leader, Application Security, Security & Trust Organization
      Dec 2018–2021
    • Leader, Software Infrastructure, Security Business Group
      Dec 2016–Dec 2018
    • Director, Network Function Virtualization business unit
      2016–Dec 2016
    • Director, Cisco Intercloud Services
      Feb 2015–2016
    • Senior Manager, Cisco Intercloud Services
      Sep 2013–Feb 2015
  • 1997–2013· 16 yrs
    • Senior Manager, Information Technology
      2012–2013
    • Manager, Information Technology
      2007–2012
    • Program Manager, Information Technology
      2001–2007
    • UNIX, Storage and Security Sysadmin
      1997–2001

Education

Certified

Wilderness First Aid

MEDIC SOLO Disaster+Wilderness Medical School

MSIS

Information Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

BA

Political Science

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Executive Relationship Map

Reports To
Chris Brannon
Vice Chair & President
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Technology Officer
Chief Operating Officer

Executive Network Preview

BizKonnect has mapped this leadership network including reporting hierarchies, peer connections, and cross-functional relationships.

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Skills & Expertise

20 of 20 skills
Enterprise ArchitectureCisco TechnologiesVirtualizationNetworkingNetwork SecuritySaaSVendor ManagementNetwork ArchitectureProgram ManagementCloud ComputingSecurityStorageHigh AvailabilityDisaster RecoveryITILCisco IOSData CenterSecurity ControlsIT StrategyVMware