PwC US Announces Alliance with Ridge-Schmidt Cyber LLC

NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- PwC US and Ridge-Schmidt Cyber LLC, a consultancy formed by Tom Ridge and Howard Schmidt, today announced a new alliance to help leaders in business and government navigate the increasing demands of cybersecurity. The strategic relationship builds upon Ridge-Schmidt Cyber's consulting partnerships and will enable senior executives at public and private organizations to benefit from the collective experience and cyber capabilities of both firms, working together, around the world, to better understand, adapt and respond to enterprise risks and complex cyber challenges that are a reality in today's business environment.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100917/NY66894LOGO)

"The threat of cybercrime is a top concern among senior leadership and boards of our clients in the U.S. and around the world, and we are focused on helping our clients find a competitive advantage while adapting to the reality of the risks inherent in the business world in which we operate," said David Burg, PwC's Global and U.S. Advisory Cybersecurity Leader. "PwC's relationship with Ridge-Schmidt Cyber demonstrates our commitment to bring high quality advisory services to our clients to meet their most pressing business challenges, while leveraging the experience of two former senior government officials. This relationship allows us to combine our own seasoned cybersecurity professionals – many with years of experience from the federal justice system and significant track records of successfully dealing with cyber threats – with two leaders in public and private cybersecurity to help our clients manage and adapt to the cyber threat landscape from strategy through execution."

Founded by Governor Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Hon. Howard Schmidt, Cybersecurity Advisor to President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, Ridge- Schmidt Cyber advises corporate and government leaders on developing and leading resilient organizations by making cybersecurity a core business competency. Ridge-Schmidt Cyber strategically advises executives on information-security programs, policies and partnerships needed to secure their organization's networks, assets and people.

"In a multinational business world that is increasingly interconnected, systems have traditionally been designed for efficiency, not resiliency, and that leaves many organizations vulnerable to cyber threats which have the potential to impact not only every aspect of the organization, but also its partners, customers, and suppliers," said Gov. Ridge. "The effects of cybercrime are not simply virtual, they are real and the business perils can accrue to the bottom line for organizations that are not sufficiently protected. Cybersecurity threats are illuminating the larger risk management challenges that threaten performance, damage brand reputation, and sap revenues. That is why we are proud to announce this alliance with PwC as Ridge-Schmidt Cyber continues to expand its consulting relationships in order to help forward leaning organizations gain a competitive advantage through greater security and resilience."

"Cybersecurity must be viewed as a core business function and a strategic investment in the performance of the digital systems on which companies rely," added Schmidt. "When business leaders think holistically about the impact of cyber threats across the organization, they can more effectively engage in threat management to build organizational resilience. A resilient organization has a threat aware culture that manages cyber threat and responds to crises in stride."

PwC has developed leading capabilities in cybersecurity and risk resilience, with professionals around the world ready to help organizations deal with cyber threats and create a proactive approach to mitigating risk.

For more information about PwC's cybersecurity point of view, visit: www.pwc.com/cybersecurity.

About Ridge-Schmidt Cyber LLC
Based in Washington, DC, Ridge-Schmidt Cyber provides strategic and advisory services that help leaders in business and government navigate the increasing demands of cybersecurity by eliminating the coordination and resourcing gaps between strategic-level concerns and tactical operations. Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and current president and CEO of Ridge Global, has more than 30-plus years of experience in all areas of security, public policy and risk management. Governor Ridge has served as a corporate board member for major global brands across sectors to include security, energy, and consumer products. The Honorable Howard Schmidt brings deep expertise in a four-decade career spanning varied facets of information technology and cybersecurity, including service as Cybersecurity Advisor to Presidents Obama and Bush as well positions as CSO at Microsoft and CISO and Chief Security Strategist at eBay. For further information, please visit www.ridgeschmidtcyber.com or follow us @RidgeSchmidtCyb.

About PwC's Advisory Practice
PwC's Advisory professionals across consulting, deals and forensics create value for our clients by helping them address their most complex business issues, from strategy through execution.  We understand our clients' industries and unique business challenges, and look across the entire organization—focusing on strategy, structure, people, process and technology—to help clients build their next competitive advantage. Our firm's global network of assurance, tax and advisory professionals means that we can bring the right skills and capabilities to help our clients achieve success anywhere around the world.  See www.pwc.com/us/consulting for more information or follow us @PwCAdvisory.

About PwC US
PwC US helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a member of the PwC network of firms in 157 countries with more than 184,000 people. We're committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Tell us what matters to you and find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US. Gain customized access to our insights by downloading our thought leadership app: PwC's 365™ Advancing business thinking every day.

Learn more about PwC by following us online: @PwC_LLP, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Google +.

© 2014 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership. All rights reserved. PwC US refers to the US member firm, and PwC may refer to either the PwC network of firms or the US member firm. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

SOURCE PwC US