CSAA names new chief information security officer

CSAA Insurance Group , a AAA Insurer, has named Joseph Kamau its new chief information security officer (CISO). Kamau, who will report to Interim Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Todd Pugh, will lead the company’s IT security function.

“We are dedicated to delivering unmatched customer experiences to AAA Members,” said Pugh. “This requires a leader that can execute on a world-class security program that keeps AAA Member data secure. Joseph has proven throughout his career that he understands the qualities we require to deliver on a customer-first approach for AAA Members.”

In his role as CSAA Insurance Group’s enterprise security leader, Kamau will be in charge of threat and incident management, risk mitigation, training, governance and compliance. He will drive security strategy as well as day-to-day security operations. He will be based in the company’s Glendale, Ariz., office.

“CSAA Insurance Group is committed to being there for AAA Members in their most critical time of need,” said Kamau. “I will bring that same level of intention to the mission of data security, maintaining the high standards that has earned the privilege of trust from valued customers.”

Kamau joins CSAA Insurance Group from Achieve, where he led a team responsible for the design, execution and oversight of the company’s information security program. Prior to that, he held global leadership roles in IT risk and information security at American Express. As Director of Information Security Oversight at American Express, he established and led the second line of defense function that ensured adequate cyber security risk monitoring and oversight.

Kamau has a Master of Science degree in Information Security Assurance from Norwich University (Northfield, Vermont) and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from California State University, Long Beach.