Ex-Microsoft, Mozilla security chief hired by Apple

Apple Online Store“Former Mozilla security chief Window Snyder has been hired by Apple,” Robert McMillan reports for IDG News Service. “Snyder started her new job Monday, where she’s now working as a senior security product manager…”

Snyder “previously had worked as a security strategist at Microsoft where she managed the company’s relationships with security consultants and had worked on the Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 operating systems,” McMillan reports.

McMillan reports, “Snyder took a job with Mozilla in 2006 and was credited with professionalizing the Firefox security response team… She left Mozilla in late 2008, and worked as a consultant over the past year.”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Note: Synder’s full name is Mwende Window Snyder. At least her parents left off the “s.”

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Judge Bork” and “Lynn W.” for the heads up.]

44 Comments

  1. “American” father, African mother, you mean?

    I don’t care if IT is a 200 year old green blob from the third star to the right … just that the job gets done. I’m sure she will do fine, welcome aboard.

  2. @Wikipedia; Snyder is the daughter of an American father and a Kenyan-born mother, Wayua Muasa.[2]
    Snyder was Director of Security Architecture at @stake and was a senior security strategist at Microsoft in the Security Engineering and Communications organization, most notably as security lead and signoff on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003. After leaving Microsoft in 2005, she worked as a principal, founder and CTO at Matasano Security LLC. She joined Mozilla in September 2006. On 10 December 2008, Snyder reports in the Mozilla Security blog that she will be leaving from Mozilla Corporation at the end of the year. [3]
    On 1 March 2010, Snyder began work at Apple [4]

    I know an out of work IT guy who works part time Security Guard at Toys R Us maybe he could land a job at Apple…WTF…Al Gore and that chick from Avon on the board of directors and now this…As they say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know! Rethinking my Apple Stock position?

  3. I have to hand it to her, she had a hand in creating the most secure Windows version to date. That’s no small task given the horrible mess of code she had to work with. Then she gave up and focused on something smaller and easier to make secure within Windows (Firefox), rather than trying to add further duct tape and superglue to hold Windows together as they just kept adding more appendages to their version of Frankenstein’s Monster..

    Maybe she’s not so bad?

  4. What’s the deal with Al Gore?

    I’m OK with people not liking him politically. But he’s been in Apple’s board for how many years now? 5 or so? Maybe more?

    And while he was on the board, Apple continued innovating and launching mind-blowing products.

    Perhaps he’s not a good politician, but I think he’s OK as board member. At least, there’s no indication he’s done harm to Apple. If Apple retains him, there must be a good reason why.

    Nothing to rethink there for me.

  5. Gore’s just become the latest punchbag for those who are trying to find wrong with Apple.

    And these days it is hard to find them doing anything wrong. Board of Directors often have non-industry directors to give them another perspective. Also Apple’s changes in environmental responsibility and also the third party manufacturer reviews may have something to do with Gore since he promotes those ethics.

    It’s just the pundits trying to manipulate the stocks because that’s the only way they make money. We just have to hope that Apple keep succeeding so that the stock can make another move upwards. I wonder if the iPad release will trigger it?

  6. What do I know about her? Nothing. I wish her the best – because she’s going to work for my favorite company!

    “Snyder took a job with Mozilla in 2006 and was credited with professionalizing the Firefox security response team…”

    Sounds like an ass kicker and organization hound to me – awesome! I love those types. They get sh!t done.

    Looked at her blog too – what more do I know? She’s pretty. Good luck Window.

  7. Like really guys, do you think a Security person is going to put their entire resume out there. @identitytheft

    She probably took time off for her CISSP. Anyone Apple hires has to go through a hands on interview and demonstrate their skill level. She is a black hat and may possibly have had some undisclosed contract jobs on her resume. I know the interview part because I have known people that interviewed with Apple and after you sign a non-disclosure form they interview you. Any questions?

  8. @ChrissyOne

    I would but I’m busy as a Senior Project Manager/IT Intergration supporting Macs & X Severs at a Super Secret Gov. site to keep the US Intel Community safe from “Windows Security Strategist”.

    Thanks for your Vote of confidents;-)

  9. Wow, if you only knew.

    You realize that most DOD jobs, (assuming that is why she has a lapse on her background), do not let you Kiss and tell. I have friends that work in Govt Labs and their job description isn’t anything like what they actually do. I just want to know what certs she has. I am betting that Apple job required at least a CEH and CISSP.

  10. @ChrissyOne

    You are mostly right. I do have a picture of the sun and a poster of a Window in my office…cause where I work there are no Windows in the walls or in the Computers.

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