Microsoft taps former Google Cloud executive to lead security business

Microsoft has appointed Hayete Gallot, a former Google Cloud executive, to lead its global security business, as the software giant reinforces its focus on cybersecurity and engineering quality.

Gallot will rejoin Microsoft as executive vice-president for security, reporting directly to chief executive Satya Nadella, the company said in an internal note to employees that was later published on Microsoft’s corporate blog.

She joins from Google, where she most recently served as president of customer experience for Google Cloud. Gallot is not new to Microsoft, having previously spent more than 15 years at the company in senior leadership roles across engineering and sales. During that period, she played a key role in building Microsoft’s Windows and Office franchises and helped design and implement its security solution area.

Nadella said Gallot brings a combination of product development expertise and customer focus that is “critical right now”, as Microsoft builds on recent momentum in its security business. The company highlighted progress in areas including Security Copilot agents, growing adoption of its data governance platform Purview, and continued customer growth.

As part of the leadership changes, Microsoft said its security teams will now report to Gallot. Ales Holecek has also been appointed chief architect for security, reporting to her, with a mandate to strengthen links between Microsoft’s security platforms and its broader product ecosystem.

The changes coincide with a shift in responsibilities for Charlie Bell, a long-standing Microsoft executive who previously led the company’s security, compliance, identity and management organisation. Bell will move into a new role focused on engineering quality, reporting to Nadella, as part of Microsoft’s Quality Excellence Initiative.

Nadella said the transition had been planned for some time and reflected Bell’s desire to return to hands-on engineering work. Bell will work closely with senior leaders including Scott Guthrie and Mala Anand to improve product durability and consistency at scale.

The leadership reshuffle comes as Microsoft faces heightened scrutiny over security following a series of high-profile cyber incidents affecting large technology providers. Strengthening governance, execution and accountability in security has become a strategic priority for the company.

With Gallot’s return, Microsoft is betting on experienced leadership to tighten security operations while maintaining growth across its cloud and enterprise businesses, as customers demand stronger protection alongside rapid innovation.

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