Microsoft Hires Former Google Cloud Executive as Head of Security
Microsoft has appointed Hayete Gallot as its new Executive Vice President of Security, reporting directly to CEO Satya Nadella, according to The Verge on February 4, 2026. Gallot, who previously spent nearly 16 years at Microsoft in senior leadership roles across engineering and sales, returns to the company after a brief stint as the president of Google Cloud's customer experience, a position she took in October 2024.
Gallot's return comes at a time when cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses and governments worldwide. Her extensive experience in both engineering and sales within the tech industry positions her to lead Microsoft's security efforts, according to The Verge.
In other news, European security officials are concerned that Russian space vehicles have intercepted the communications of at least a dozen key satellites over the continent, Ars Technica reported. These interceptions, which have not been previously reported, could compromise sensitive information and potentially allow Moscow to manipulate the satellites' trajectories or even cause them to crash. Military and civilian space agencies have observed increased shadowing of European satellites by Russian space vehicles over the past three years, coinciding with heightened tensions between the Kremlin and the West following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in the energy sector, Lunar Energy, a six-year-old startup that builds battery packs for homeowners, announced it has raised $232 million in funding through a $130 million Series C round led by Activate Capital and a $102 million Series D round led by B Capital and Prelude Ventures, TechCrunch reported. The company plans to use the funds to scale manufacturing to 20,000 units by the end of 2026 and 100,000 by the end of 2028. Lunar Energy has raised more than $500 million from investors to date, capitalizing on the growing demand for stationary storage solutions.
Apple TV also detailed its 2026 streaming lineup with a large list of announcements, according to The Verge. The streaming service is continuing its push to reach a larger audience, signaling a shift towards quantity in addition to quality.
In Davos, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan discussed his country's response to global geopolitical shifts, progress towards peace in the South Caucasus, and expanding energy cooperation with Europe, Euronews reported. Aliyev emphasized the importance of strong regional ties, strategic independence, and respect for international law. He highlighted new opportunities for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, as well as Azerbaijan's increasing role in European energy security.
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