Global Security Chief John Theriault Reportedly Leaves Apple

Friday November 4, 2011 10:07 am PDT by Eric Slivka

9to5Mac reports that Apple's vice president of global security John Theriault has left the company, marking yet another key executive departure this year.

While the reasons for Theriault's departure and his destination appear to be unconfirmed, speculation naturally turns toward this summer's loss of another iPhone prototype. Apple has received some criticism over its handling of the case, which involved Apple security personnel being escorted by San Francisco police to a home to where the device had been traced. Apple's security personnel conducted an unsuccessful search of the home, with the homeowner claiming to have believed that they were police officers and not private security agents.

John Theriault's LinkedIn profile

Theriault, a former FBI agent and Pfizer vice president, was profiled just two months ago for his role overseeing Apple's anti-counterfeiting efforts. That work has taken on increased importance with the proliferation of fake Apple products and even fake Apple retail stores popping up in a number of countries. The most publicized location for these counterfeiting operations has been China, where Apple has been stepping up its anti-counterfeiting efforts in support of its own increasing presence in the country.

Update: AllThingsD confirms that Theriault has left Apple, and while the reason for his departure is officially said to be retirement, sources indicate that the circumstances surrounding the latest lost iPhone case are indeed the root cause.

Top Rated Comments

jca24

155 months ago

I see all these people leaving Apple, and the new 5th Avenue cube looks like a futuristic mosque from the Middle East.

Hence, Apple is becoming Walmart. :)

you have made a lot of dumb posts before, but this one is the dumbest!

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rdowns

Why are so many top execs leaving? This is the third one in the last few weeks, if my count is correct.

He is hardly a "top"executive.

Apple is becoming Walmart!

For the life of me, I can't make any sense of your post. What the hell does it mean?

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

AppleScruff1

Just a shot in the dark, but that might be a reason for his departure right there. Apple has this habit of keeping the best people. Looks like Theriault no longer belonged in that echelon, because he was lousy at his job. People usually get canned for that, you know.

If it's taken on "increased" importance, Theriault might not have been up to the task. A decision was probably made as a result.

We already know that Cook is doing some re-shuffling, promotions, and general house-cleaning. These activities were so conspicuous that there were numerous articles about it over the web a few days back. Maybe Theriault just got tossed into the dustbin.

Next!

I'd like to hear more of what you know about his job and what he was personally responsible for. Does your position in the company give you privy to behind the scenes dirt on management? Do they consult with you on these types of decisions? Thanks.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)