Featuring Alumni
Rich Baich Named 2004 Georgia Information Security Executive of the Year

By Stefanie Johnson
Special to FYI Online

	Rich Baich

Rich Baich, chief information security officer for ChoicePoint, the nation’s leading provider of identification and credential verification services, was named the Information Security Executive of the Year in Georgia 2004.  Baich, a UMUC alumnus, was recognized for outstanding leadership in information security.

Baich was chosen from a field of 32 nominees—all boasting impressive credentials and all top information security executives with companies like Coca-Cola Enterprises, United Parcel Service, and SunTrust Bank. The award was presented at a standing-room only ceremony at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 18, 2004.

“We are honored to recognize Rich for his proactive role in making security an integral component of ChoicePoint’s corporate strategy,” said Russell M. Artzt, executive vice president for Computer Associates eTrust Security Management Solutions, one of the award’s corporate sponsors.  “His security awareness program and strong belief that ‘good security begins at home’ is responsible for bringing security to the forefront of daily operations and creating a corporate culture at ChoicePoint that clearly understands how security can make a difference.”

Baich completed an MBA at UMUC in 2003 and a master’s degree in financial management, also from UMUC, four years earlier. He credits the University as an important component of his success.

“Both programs helped me broaden my understanding of business, finance, and program management,” said Baich. “They helped me to be able to think globally while ensuring that I met immediate deadlines.”

Baich also holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy.

“I was on active duty in the military, assigned to the Washington, D.C., area, when I started my degrees at UMUC,” said Baich. “The military definitely shaped my work ethic and taught me that, as a leader, you are only as good as your team.”

Nominees for the Executive of the Year Award were evaluated, in part, on their effectiveness in mentoring and motivating staff members, something that Baich takes very seriously.

“Receiving the award was amazing,” admitted Baich. “But one of the members of my team presented me with an internal recognition award this year, saying, ‘Thanks for taking care of the team.’ Being recognized by your subordinates in that way is also an incredible honor. Taking the time to understand my team’s personalities and desires has helped me to lead more successfully.”

Baich has had to lead his team through a rapidly shifting landscape this year.

“The information security field is constantly changing,” Baich pointed out. “Developing regulatory issues as well as growing customer expectations are presenting us with new challenges every day.”

The constant need to adapt and to search for better solutions is what Baich loves most about his work.

“I enjoy the thrill of change and of learning to adapt to new needs and technology,” Baich said. “Whether it is acting to ensure that the newest virus does not manifest itself in the network or ensuring that the overall security posture meets customer requirements, each day, each hour brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn.”

Before becoming the chief information security officer at ChoicePoint, Baich served as cryptology officer at the National Security Agency and as the information security consultant and special assistant to the deputy director for the National Infrastructure Protection Center of the FBI.