Marcus Sachs Named Verizon Vice President for National Security Policy

Verizon has named Marcus Sachs vice president for national security policy, with responsibility for directing Verizon policy development and advocacy on issues ranging from critical asset protection to cyber security and emergency preparedness.  As part of his duties, Sachs will work with Congress, administration officials and the security industry on national security policies and issues.

Sachs was previously Verizon's executive director for national security and cyber policy. He succeeds Michael Hickey, who retired after a 25-year career with Verizon and its predecessor companies.

Peter Davidson, Verizon senior vice president for federal government relations, said: "Marc has spent the past three years leading Verizon's cyber security policy efforts, and was instrumental in assisting the federal government in its development of several national cyber security plans and policies.  He has nearly three decades of experience working in government and private sector organizations in the communications and national security policy community. Both Verizon and our stakeholder communities will continue to benefit from his knowledge and experience."

Within Verizon, Sachs assists all business units with the integration of national security policy matters into network operations, support to critical infrastructure owners and operators, and the protection of Verizon's global corporate assets.  In 2007 he was named a member of the CSIS Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th Presidency.  From 2003 to 2010 he volunteered as the director of the SANS Internet Storm Center.

Prior to joining Verizon, Sachs directed the Washington, D.C., operations of SRI International's Computer Science Laboratory. He previously served as the Department of Homeland Security's first Cyber Program director, where he developed the initial concept for the department's United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Following the Sept.11, 2001, terrorist attacks, he was appointed by President Bush as director of communication infrastructure protection on the National Security Council staff.

Sachs retired from the U.S. Army in 2001 after serving for 20 years as one of the Army's first officers with a career focused on cyberspace operations. He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, a master's degree in science and technology commercialization from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master's degree in computer science from James Madison University.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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