Hikvision Names Chuck Davis Director of Cybersecurity in North America

Former IBM executive security architect joins Hikvision, initiatives to include faster, better outreach and education, working with security researchers and ethical hackers

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif., Oct. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hikvision USA Inc., the North American leader in innovative, award-winning video surveillance products and solutions, announced that Chuck Davis has been named director of cybersecurity for Hikvision North America.

With more than 20 years' experience building world-class cybersecurity programs for large enterprise organizations, Davis comes to Hikvision from IBM, where he worked as an executive security architect. He designed and managed the global malware defense and vulnerability management programs at IBM and was a thought leader and architect of IBM's Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).  From 2011 to 2015, Davis worked for The Hershey Company as manager of global cyber defense, building and managing the company's comprehensive cyberdefense program.

Davis, together with Hikvision Security Lab at Hikvision headquarters, will lead the cybersecurity program for Hikvision North America, overseeing all internal and external cybersecurity initiatives and programs in the region. 

"Hiring Chuck Davis is an important milestone for Hikvision North America," said Jeffrey He, president of Hikvision USA Inc., and Hikvision Canada Inc. "As the largest video surveillance provider in the world, we have a responsibility to also be a leader in cybersecurity defense. We've made significant investment in the Hikvision cybersecurity program over the past few years. We're continuing to step up our efforts."

Davis said his short-term goal is to "build up a better interface and relationships with security researchers, lead the initiative to work with ethical hackers, and examine cybersecurity certification needs for our products and our vertical markets."

Education and outreach are of paramount importance in an effective cybersecurity program, Davis said. "We'll be extending our efforts to work with our partners on cybersecurity best practices," he said.

Davis said he believes manufacturers should secure products against known vulnerabilities, and "they should have a robust program in place to learn of new vulnerabilities and to react to the discovery of a new vulnerabilities. We will continuously be working to fine tune the Hikvision processes in North America to minimize the potential for vulnerabilities, and also to react, respond and communicate with our customers as quickly and as effectively as possible."

A technologist, Davis holds seven US Patents, three Patents-Pending, 10 invention disclosures, and he has also co-authored two books. He holds numerous certifications, including the CISSP-ISSAP, he is an ISSA senior member, former member of the board, and he also held the position of ISSA Chapter president. In addition, Davis is an honorary council governing board member for the EC-Council, the governing body of the Certified Ethical Hacker Certification. Davis has architected, designed and deployed many solutions including, Data Loss Prevention, Network Access Control, Malware Defense, Computer Forensics, Intrusion Detection/Intrusion Prevention (IDS/IPS), two-factor authentication, and secure, crown jewel source code development.

In addition to his work as a cybersecurity professional, Davis is an adjunct professor of Computer Science at the University of Denver, teaching master's degree courses in Ethical Hacking and Computer Forensics.

About Hikvision

Hikvision is the world's leading supplier of video surveillance solutions. Featuring the industry's strongest R&D workforce, Hikvision designs, develops, and manufactures standard- and high-definition cameras, including a variety of IP cameras, analog cameras, and cameras featuring the latest in high-definition analog technology. Hikvision's product suite also includes digital video servers, hybrid and standalone DVRs, NVRs, and other elements of sophisticated security systems for both indoor and outdoor use. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Security Center. 

SOURCE Hikvision USA