Facebook’s chief security officer is leaving to join Uber

Silicon Valley is home to some of the world’s brightest technical minds. And from Apple to Google, every big company covets the talent of its competitors. Now add Uber, the ride-hailing company, to that group. Uber said Thursday it had hired Joe Sullivan to be its first chief security officer, luring him from Facebook, where he held the same position for more than half of the social network’s existence. The appointment is a coup for Uber, as Mr. Sullivan is a veteran of the security industry. “This is a chance to help build the culture of a young and growing organization, and to continue building upon the safety and security initiatives that are the backbone of Uber’s success,” Mr. Sullivan, 46, said in a statement. The new hire underlines how Uber is fast becoming a prime recruiter in talent-starved Silicon Valley, where young tech companies are willing to pay higher salaries and offer greater perks to win over the best minds in the field.