NCC Group has hired Gunter Ollmann as its new chief technology officer.
Following the launch of its top-level domain – .trust – Ollmann will drive strategy with a focus of bringing the domain to market in order to make a lasting and game-changing impact on the internet and ensure that the domain delivers value to brands.
Bringing almost three decades of experience in information security, including serving recently as CTO of consultancy and research firm IOActive, Ollmann said that with the growing lawless nature of the internet, this has increasingly made trust a valuable, if not elusive, commodity for both consumers and businesses.
“It’s time to readdress the situation, and that’s what attracted me to NCC Group’s Domain Services division,” he said.
“Getting the chance to work with a world-class team of security professionals – bringing to market new tools and capabilities in combating cyber threats – and building a safe corner of the internet where business dealings can finally be trusted; that’s what’s needed, and that’s where my passion lies.”
The .trust domain will help protect an organisation’s brand, reputation and sensitive customer information by enforcing the highest level of security and reliability for their web presence, NCC Group said.
Organizations using .trust domains will be required to comply with rigorous security policies in order to prevent the use of .trust domains for malicious activity. For consumers, it will provide a clear signal that a company’s website is what it claims to be and is a safe place to do business, interact and share information.
“Gunter’s appointment reflects NCC Group’s determination to turn security from a business cost into a business advantage,” said Pete Stock, managing director of domain services at NCC Group. “His business and technical experience will also ensure that .trust remains at the forefront of security best practices and becomes a permanent and central part of a company’s decision-making process.”