Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones Joins Ridge-Schmidt Cyber as Senior Advisor

-- Former UK Security Minister and Advisor to Prime Minister Cameron to Provide Cyber Expertise in the UK and across the European Union

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones, who has served at the highest levels of the British national security and diplomatic services, has joined Ridge-Schmidt Cyber as Senior Advisor. Founded by Tom Ridge, first U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and 43^rd Governor of Pennsylvania, and Howard A. Schmidt, former Cyber Advisor to Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Ridge-Schmidt Cyber advises corporate and government leaders on developing and leading cyber-resilient organizations.

Baroness Neville-Jones served as Prime Minister David Cameron's National Security Advisor and authored the Conservative party's national security strategy, including the creation of a UK National Security Council. In the Cameron government, she served as Minister of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism from 2010-2011 and as the Prime Minister's Special Representative to business for cyber security from 2011-2014.

"The addition of Baroness Neville-Jones is a force multiplier for our international clients," said Gov. Ridge. "As Prime Minister Cameron's former liaison to the business community on cyber, Baroness Neville-Jones is highly respected and uniquely qualified to advise executives on cyber defense strategy, management of multi-national cyber regulatory frameworks and best practices for public-private sector collaboration for IT resilience. The arrival of Baroness Neville-Jones to the Ridge-Schmidt Cyber team provides our clients with unparalleled access to world-class advisors. I am delighted and privileged to welcome Pauline to our team."

"Global organizations need a smart, comprehensive perspective to meet both the technical and enterprise complexities of the digital age," added Howard Schmidt. "Baroness Neville-Jones' experience as a senior government security official and leader in the corporate board room will help close the communication gap between executives and information security teams – a common problem within many businesses. She can help to put cybersecurity into a risk management and business framework that is visible, measurable and accountable. Tom and I are thrilled that Pauline's expertise will be leveraged on behalf of our clients."

Baroness Neville-Jones is former Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and BBC Governor. Her business leadership includes service as Head of Business Development for NatWest and as Chair of QinetiQ Group. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Council for Cybersecurity.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Ridge-Schmidt Cyber as Senior Advisor," said Baroness Neville-Jones. "This is a challenging and exciting time to be helping companies as they move to seize the business opportunities and adapt to the security demands of the digital age. Cyber security should be a business enabler."

About Ridge-Schmidt Cyber

Founded by Governor Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Hon. Howard Schmidt, Cybersecurity Advisor to President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, Ridge-Schmidt Cyber advises corporate and government leaders on developing and leading resilient organizations by making cybersecurity a core business competency. Ridge-Schmidt Cyber strategically advises executives on information-security programs, policies and partnerships needed to secure their organization's networks, assets and people.

SOURCE Ridge-Schmidt Cyber