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Staples named Brett Wahlin its first chief information security officer (CISO) on May 8, 2017. The retailer created a broad security leadership role covering enterprise information and data security as well as product security, connected devices, fraud, and loss prevention. Wahlin was to report to Staples CTO Faisal Masud.
Who was Staples’ first CISO?
Brett Wahlin joined Staples from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE), where he was vice president and CISO. In its May 8, 2017 announcement, Staples said he had nearly 30 years of experience in enterprise information security architecture, policy, operations, and development.
The company’s biography listed earlier security roles at Sony Network Entertainment International, McAfee, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Wells Fargo, and Intel. It also said Wahlin began his career as a U.S. Army counterintelligence agent. These career details are Staples’ account in its appointment announcement.
What did the role cover?
Staples described the CISO’s responsibility as global and enterprise-wide, spanning information, product, and data security. The remit also included connected devices, fraud, and loss prevention. That scope placed the role across technology and business operations, rather than limiting it to traditional corporate IT security.
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Staples framed the appointment as part of its digital transformation, saying customers were using more online and mobile technology. The company’s announcement described its goal and the position’s intended scope; it does not establish what outcomes the role later produced.
Who did Wahlin report to?
Wahlin was to report to CTO Faisal Masud, who led Staples Digital Solutions. The organization brought together traditional IT and digital functions. In the announcement, Masud said: “The security of both our customers’ and Staples’ data is critical, and we’ll look to Brett to bring his knowledge of the latest security standards and best practices to the role, as we continue to evolve into a digital-first company.”
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Why did the appointment draw attention?
Staples’ first CISO appointment came about two years after a point-of-sale incident. CyberScoop reported that the hack affected 1.16 million credit and debit cards; that figure is from the publication’s 2017 coverage, not a primary breach notice. CyberScoop’s account placed the incident in context for the appointment.
Contemporaneous coverage also characterized the position as newly created and emphasized its wider remit. Retail Dive reported on the appointment and its responsibilities, while SC Media confirmed it was the company’s first CISO appointment.
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- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
What is known about Wahlin’s current role?
The available coverage documents the 2017 appointment, not Wahlin’s present employment or title. It does not establish whether he remains at Staples or how the retailer’s security organization changed afterward, so he should be described as Staples’ first CISO rather than its current CISO.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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