Open Systems Appoints Chief People Officer to Support Growing Demand for its Managed Security Services

Redwood City, Calif. - April 6, 2022 - Open Systems, the only cybersecurity services provider with Mission Control, has appointed Alaska May as its Chief People Officer to lead the global People organization. Among her responsibilities, May is charged with recruiting and retaining additional cybersecurity experts the company needs to meet the growing demand for its managed detection and response (MDR) and secure access service edge (SASE) services. May will also be responsible for building a world-class talent management program; preserving and enhancing the company’s unique culture; strengthening the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ethos; and promoting a positive and healthy workplace that enables employees to perform at their best.

“Great people have always been at the heart of Open Systems. Their tireless efforts and outstanding work have enabled us to deliver the outstanding outcomes that have protected our customers for over two decades,” said Geoff Haydon, CEO of Open Systems. “Though growing demand requires us to quickly hire additional employees, it is vital we do so without compromising the corporate culture that has made Open Systems a great company to work for. Fortunately, Alaska’s extensive experience not only makes her ideal for leading our recruiting efforts, she also knows how to facilitate a positive environment that will help us retain staff while empowering them to do their best work.”

Hiring additional experienced cybersecurity experts is a priority for the company, which provides customers with round-the-clock protection from its Mission Control facilities strategically located around the world and which combine the functions of a security operations center (SOC) and a network operations center (NOC). However, competition for such experts is fierce due to their small numbers, and further complicated by the pandemic, with top talent looking for more from their employers.

“I am excited to join Open Systems and am eager to implement programs to attract new talent and improve the experience of employees who have already made the company their home,” said May. “Open Systems has many advantages that make it a desirable place to build a career in cybersecurity. Its unique and inclusive culture, for example, is attractive to prospective employees, and its DevSecOps model keeps security experts engaged and mentally stimulated by rotating between operational and non-operational roles, which can lead to better job satisfaction and lower turnover.”

May joins the company’s executive leadership team which recently added Tom Corn, Michael Davis and Chris Raniere as the company’s Chief Product Officer, Chief Architect and Chief Revenue Officer, respectively.

A veteran Human Resources professional, May has held several executive-level positions over the past 15 years. Her most recent role prior to joining Open Systems was as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for International Markets, a data services company.

Additional Resources
• Press release: Open Systems Appoints Cybersecurity Expert Tom Corn as Chief Product Officer to Further Expand its Lead in Managed Security Services
• Press release: Open Systems Adds New C-Level Executives as Security Services and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Adoption Grows

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About Open Systems

Open Systems is an AI-first SASE platform company delivering secure access and networking to help enterprises connect users, applications and infrastructure across complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Its proprietary platform combines SSE capabilities, including ZTNA, SWG, CASB and FWaaS, with SD-WAN, end-to-end connectivity, unified policy management, and advanced analytics in a single architecture.

While many cybersecurity providers focus primarily on advancing technology capabilities, Open Systems combines its AI-first SASE platform with an execution model designed for real-world operability, ensuring services are not only deployed, but continuously run, adapted and improved through a combination of AI-enabled operations and NOC-based expertise (Mission Control), built on decades of operational experience, helping organizations reduce complexity, increase visibility and strengthen security outcomes at global scale.

Founded in Switzerland in 1990, Open Systems generates more than USD 100 million in annual revenue and supports global enterprise customers operating in more than 180 countries. Since 2024, the company has been part of Swiss Post, combining Swiss trust and stability with global reach. As a European alternative to US- and Israel-based cybersecurity providers, Open Systems is guided by strong principles around sovereignty requirements, regulatory alignment, transparency and shared responsibility - taking clear ownership for security, performance and operational outcomes, helping organizations maintain control in an increasingly complex digital landscape.