Target Appoints CIO, Boosts Security Measures

Target has appointed Bob DeRodes as its EVP and Chief Information Officer to lead the company’s IT transformation efforts. The mega retailer also announced the addition of security enhancements that will address issues coming to light following its 2013 data breach.

As EVP/CIO, DeRodes will assume oversight of the Target technology team and operations, and will be responsible for the ongoing data security enhancement efforts as well as the development of the company’s long-term IT and digital roadmap. Target also is actively searching for a Chief Information Security Officer and a Chief Compliance Officer.

DeRodes brings more than 40 years of experience in IT, data security, and business operations to his new role. He has served as a Senior Information Technology Advisor for the Center for CIO Leadership, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Department of Justice.

New Focus On Data Security
Target also has taken significant actions to further strengthen security across the network, including:

Enhancing monitoring and logging;
Installation of application whitelisting POS systems;
Implementation of enhanced segmentation;
Reviewing and limiting vendor access; and
Enhanced security of accounts.

“Establishing a clear path forward for Target following the data breach has been my top priority,” said Gregg Steinhafel, Chairman, President and CEO of Target, in a company press release. “I believe Target has a tremendous opportunity to take the lessons learned from this incident and enhance our overall approach to data security and information technology. Bob’s history of leading transformational change positions him well to lead our continued breach responses and guide our long-term digital strategy.”

Target also announced plans to incorporate MasterCard chip-and-PIN technology across its REDcard portfolio by early 2015. REDcard products and existing co-branded cards will be chip-and-PIN secured. The retailer expects to install next-generation payment terminals in all of its 1,797 U.S. stores by September 2014.

“Target has long been an advocate for the widespread adoption of chip-and-PIN card technology,” said John Mulligan, EVP, Chief Financial Officer at Target. “As we aggressively move forward to bring enhanced technology to Target, we believe it is critical that we provide our REDcard guests with the most secure payment product available. This new initiative satisfies that goal.”