Huawei on Monday announced former UK government CIO John Suffolk would become the company'''s global cyber security officer, effective on Oct. 1. Suffolk will develop the company's cyber security assurance strategy, which will be implemented across all the company's business groups. He will report directly to Huawei's CEO.

In a statement, Huawei said its cyber security assurance system operates to protect products involving cloud computing, telecommunication networks, devices and business processes. Suffolk served as the UK government CIO for close to five years, but resigned last year.

The appointment of Suffolk to the position is a "positive step" for Huawei in its efforts to change perceptions of the company, said Matt Walker, a analyst with research firm Ovum. "I don't believe it will have much impact on Huawei's political challenges. However, it does help give Huawei's existing customers a tangible data point to support their faith in the company," he said.

The appointment will also reassures potential customers as Huawei moves to expand further into enterprise markets. "Security is extremely important in these markets. Huawei -- as a new entrant, essentially -- will have a higher hurdle than its better known, established rivals," Walker said.