Microsoft Appoints Hayete Gallot as Security Chief

Microsoft has brought Hayete Gallot back to lead its security organisation, appointing the former Google Cloud executive as Executive Vice President of Security in a strategic leadership overhaul. Gallot will report directly to CEO Satya Nadella and take charge of Microsoft’s cybersecurity efforts across enterprise and consumer products.

Key Highlights

• Microsoft names former Google Cloud executive Hayete Gallot to lead security amid rising AI-driven cyber risks.
• Gallot returns to Microsoft as security chief, reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella.

Gallot previously spent nearly 16 years at Microsoft in senior roles spanning engineering, commercial strategy, and product leadership before departing in 2024 to become President of Customer Experience at Google Cloud. Her return marks a significant shift in Microsoft’s security leadership as the company strengthens its focus on building robust, secure systems in the face of escalating cyber threats and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into core products and services.

As part of the organisational changes, long-time security head Charlie Bell will transition to a new role focused on engineering quality, a move that aligns with his personal interests and Microsoft’s broader emphasis on product excellence. Bell, who joined Microsoft in 2021 after a long tenure at Amazon Web Services, led the company’s Secure Future Initiative and helped expand its security business.

In announcing Gallot’s appointment, Satya Nadella highlighted her deep experience with Microsoft platforms and customer-centric leadership, saying her blend of technical insight and market understanding will be crucial as the company confronts evolving risks in cloud, AI, and enterprise security.

Also Read: Microsoft AI Appoints Andrea Mallard as Chief Marketing Officer

This leadership reshuffle underscores Microsoft’s commitment to security as a strategic priority, reinforcing its efforts to deliver secure, reliable experiences as cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny grow globally.