Reporting to Maestri, Stathakopoulos will take the task of protecting corporate assets, such as confidential software, product, and design information. He will also be helping in protecting data about customers.
While Apple has not commented on the hire, Reuters says that when a call was placed to Apple asking to speak to Stathakopoulos, an Apple employee connected them to a person who said “George’s office.”
Stathakopoulos has reportedly been at Apple for roughly a week. It’s an investing hire for Apple, especially with its ongoing case with the FBI over unlocking the iPhone 5c used by one of the San Bernardino gunmen. The hire highlights Apple’s increasing focus on security. Last month, the company hired the developer behind Edward Snowden’s recommended chat app, while Apple acquired security consultancy company LegbaCore in November.
Apple is set to face the FBI in court on March 22nd over its refusal to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino. The hearing is one day after Apple plans to unveil new products at a press event. Both the FBI and Apple have recently shared new filings concerting the case.
