Cathal J. Walsh MS, MBA

Vice President, Physical Security and Chief Security Officer
Cathal Walsh in a suit and tie is smiling at the camera for a professional headshot

Cathal J. Walsh has over 20 years of security management experience within large multinational organizations and private risk management advisory firms. With his deep industry knowledge of physical and cyber security, fraud, investigations, and crisis management, he delivers solutions that align each discipline with the client’s overall corporate strategy, governing regulated environment, and addresses evolving industry risks. At Guidepost, Mr. Walsh advises C-Suite executives, boards, and heads of security with strategic guidance to address their most critical physical security and risk management matters. In addition, he serves as the firm’s chief security officer overseeing its security strategy and operations.

Mr. Walsh most recently served as vice president, within the chief security office at Deutsche Bank, where he led the firm-wide global corporate security strategy program. There, he maintained direct oversight of five global teams, supporting 1,700 offices throughout 58 countries and managing a multi-million budget focused on security systems, investigations, travel security, threat assessment, cybersecurity, executive protection, and much more. Additionally, he created the multi-year strategic global technology infrastructure roadmap to prepare digital transformation and modernization efforts. Along with these efforts, he coordinated compliance of security requirements with the Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and European Banking Authority.

Mr. Walsh previously served as director, security risk management and technology consultancy at Guidepost. During this time, he managed the New York office’s security team, leading a group of technology consultants providing customer focused state-of-the-art solutions. This work included designing a security program for Hudson Yards, one of the largest real estate development projects in U.S. history, advising professional sports teams on their operational readiness and incident management response activities, implementing a comprehensive asset protection program for a large commercial retailer, and providing executive protection services and investigations for high-net-worth clients.

Previously, Mr. Walsh was a director of information systems at Prudential Financial where he served as the business information security officer.  In this role, he was responsible for the development, enhancement, and oversight of the information security program for human resources.

Preceding his time at Prudential, Mr. Walsh served as a senior associate at a corporate investigation and risk consulting firm where he provided security consulting, assessment, engineering, and design services to assist private and government sector clients with mitigating and managing  risk throughout all aspects of their organizations. Furthermore, he developed comprehensive corporate security programs designed to reduce risk exposure among business activities with a concentrated focus on enterprise-wide acceptable solutions.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Walsh was a security specialist in Prudential’s Global Security Department. His primary responsibilities included assessment, planning, and implementation of comprehensive asset protection systems and programs in support of its Asset Protection and Management Group.  He served as a security evaluator at the City University of New York Research Foundation conducting threat and vulnerability assessments during the same period.

Mr. Walsh was also employed as an investigator for IDS Research and Development, Inc. where he performed security assessments, conducted code research, and prepared investigation cases for testimony and depositions. He also assisted in the installation of burglary and fire alarm systems while with the firm.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, International Business, Seton Hall University
  • Master of Science, Protection Management, John Jay College of Criminal Justice
  • Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, Saint Thomas Aquinas College

Affiliations

  • ASIS International

Media + Events

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November 15, 2022

Cathal Walsh Returns to Guidepost Solutions, Appointed as Vice President and Chief Security Officer

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February 15, 2024

Unlocking the Power of Precision: Data Quality and Accessibility for Corporate Security Departments

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