Stephen Ford

Stephen is vice president, Chief Information Security Officer at Rockwell Automation. He is responsible for developing and executing a holistic cybersecurity strategy, ensuring Rockwell Automation and company infrastructure, products, and customers are safe, secure, and resilient. As a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity, Stephen is passionate about problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and building relationships, driven to help organizations meet their goals. As a natural connector, he has a knack for aligning people with resources to solve business problems. Previously, Stephen served as vice president, Information Security and Risk Management at McKesson Corporation, a global leader in pharmaceutical and medical supplies distribution. During his tenure, he led teams responsible for cybersecurity operations, offensive security, incident response, security engineering, architecture, access management, and infrastructure services. Prior to McKesson, Stephen also held technology leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard Corporation and Baylor College of Medicine. Active as a volunteer, Stephen served as the chair for the national board of Black Excellence (BE), McKesson’s African American and Black Employee Resource Group, focusing on professional development and sponsorship for emerging black professionals. In addition, he serves on several forums, boards, and advisory groups, dedicated to cybersecurity advocacy, professional development, and community uplift. These include the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC), the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF), the CIO Advisory Board for United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Evanta Milwaukee CIO & CISO Governing Body. Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a MBA from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, a master’s degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a master's degree from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.