Applied Identity Adds Execs

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Applied Identity, a developer of identity-driven authorization mechanisms for controlling access to internal networks, today announced the appointment of two former Sygate Technologies executives to its leadership team. John De Santis, former Sygate president and CEO, has taken a seat on the Applied Identity board of directors. John McCormack, Sygate’s former Senior Vice President of Engineering, has joined Applied Identity as SVP of Technology, with responsibility for all of engineering and product management.

“These additions clearly position Applied Identity to leverage the market leading know-how of two network security veterans,” said John Katsaros, Internet Research Group. “Their technical and business success at growing Sygate into an industry powerhouse and the market insights gained in the process will make them valuable contributors as Applied Identity evolves its position.”

Mr. De Santis brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and general management at start-ups as well as large international public companies in the Telecom and IT fields. Following his tenure at the helm of Sygate (which was acquired by Symantec Corporation in 2005) he was a senior vice president for Network Computing Devices (NASD: NCDI), where he was responsible for all worldwide sales, marketing and service operations. He has also held management roles with Cincinnati Bell Information Systems (now Convergys Corporation, NYSE: CVG) where he was Vice President, European Operations.

Mr. De Santis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Mathematics from Fairfield University and has completed the Stanford University Executive Institute program for Management of High-Technology Companies.

Mr. McCormack has had a distinguished career spanning nearly 20 years in networking, security, and identity and policy management. Prior to joining Applied Identity, he was responsible for the engineering of Symantec’s AntiVirus product line as well as the acquired Sygate security and network access control products where he previously lead Sygate’s engineering, strategy, and product management efforts. Prior to Sygate, Mr. McCormack served as general manager of the Secure Managed Networks Business Unit at Cisco, where he led a global implementation team of more than 300 engineers, marketing and development experts responsible for a broad range of security and network management hardware and software products. Before Cisco, Mr. McCormack spent nine years as a development executive at Tandem Computers (now part of Hewlett-Packard.) where he was responsible for the development of networking and operating system software. Since 2004, he has served on the board of Identity Engines in Mountain View, CA.

Mr. McCormack earned his Master of Science in Engineering Management from George Washington University and has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of New Hampshire. He also holds several patents in network information acquisition and presentation.

"We are pleased to welcome these illustrious industry professionals to the Applied Identity team," said Brian Nugent, President and CEO of Applied Identity. "John De Santis has very relevant, near-term experience with guiding a like-minded security company to a clear leadership position, which will be a tremendous asset to us as we continue to execute our growth strategy. John McCormack’s impressive achievements in delivering innovative network security as well as Identity and Access Management (I&AM) products will help affirm our R&D position at the forefront of the Identity Driven Access Control sector.”

Applied Identity Inc.