Terry McAuliffe, former governor of Virginia, now adviser for Hunton Andrews Kurth's think tank, Centre for Information Policy Leadership. (Courtesy photo)

Hunton Andrews Kurth has hired former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe for its global privacy and cybersecurity think tank, the firm announced Tuesday.

McAuliffe, Virginia's Democratic governor from 2014 to 2018, was named global strategy adviser for the Centre for Information Policy Leadership, a Hunton subsidiary that counsels with industry leaders, regulatory authorities, and policymakers on global cybersecurity issues.

In a statement, Centre for Information Policy Leadership president Bojana Bellamy praised McAuliffe's experience, which includes chairing the National Governors Association and prioritizing cybersecurity during his time in leadership.

"Data protection is top of mind for every business leader, regulator and lawmaker as they work to navigate a rapidly changing technology environment and to safeguard digital trust," Bellamy said. "The experience Gov. McAuliffe brings to CIPL will ensure we are best positioning our members and the firm's clients from a policy and business standpoint, while helping us be forward-thinking in the development of solutions for privacy and responsible data use."

This isn't the beginning of a relationship between the firm and McAuliffe: Whittington Clement, chair of Hunton Andrews Kurth's state government relations practice group, was part of the former governor's transition team after being a key supporter of his campaign. Additionally, Todd Haymore, former Virginia agriculture secretary and trade secretary under McAuliffe, joined the firm's commerce and government relations group in March 2018.

Founded by Hunton in 2001, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership also has offices in London and Brussels.

"I am honored to be working with Hunton and CIPL on data protection and cybersecurity issues," McAuliffe said in a statement. "Cyber risks are some of the most serious threats to our nation's security. By 2020, 200 billion networked devices are expected to be connected across the globe. Domestic and foreign actors target sensitive information and systems that, if compromised, could have significant economic and political consequences for all Americans."

McAuliffe has a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center but never pursued a legal career, opting for business and politics instead. Before he became governor of Virginia in 2014, he chaired Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign; chaired the Democratic National Committee from 2000 to 2005; chaired the Democratic National Convention in 2000; co-chaired President Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration and 1996 re-election campaign; and was a national finance director for President Jimmy Carter.

Since leaving office in January 2018, McAuliffe has been a distinguished visiting professor at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.