Marcus Richardson has built a career in cybersecurity. His wife, Abby Phillip, is one of CNN’s best known political journalists. Their jobs are very different. Phillip reports on politics on TV. Richardson works with cloud systems, software security, and online risk.

The couple met in Washington, D.C., in 2011. They were at a rooftop party held by mutual friends. They talked about music, food, travel, and languages. Another guest joined them, and the talk ended. They left without sharing phone numbers. About a month later, they met again at another party. They started dating soon after.

Since then, Richardson and Phillip have built a life together. They married in 2018 and became parents in 2021. Later, they moved from Washington to New York City. In 2026, they shared that they were expecting a second child. Richardson has also kept growing his own career in security and consulting.

Quick Bio

Who Is Marcus Richardson Beyond Abby Phillip’s Husband?

Many people know Marcus Richardson because he is married to Abby Phillip. Phillip is a political journalist and host of CNN NewsNight. Her job puts her on TV almost every night.

Richardson has his own career. He works in cloud security and application security. Cloud Security Partners lists him as a Principal Cloud Security Architect. His work includes cloud design, software risk, and secure systems.

His field helps protect digital systems from threats. He may review software for weak points. He may also help teams lower risk before problems reach users or customers.

Richardson keeps most of his work away from the public eye. He does not appear often on TV. Most public details about him focus on his career, marriage, and family.

Education and Early Career

Richardson studied at Florida State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs.

His first jobs were in tech support. From 2009 to 2012, he worked as a Desktop Analyst at Howard University. He helped users with computers and other tech problems.

In 2012, he joined LivingSocial. He worked there as a Technical Support Analyst. He stayed until 2014.

That year, Richardson moved into security work. He joined nVisium and worked as a Senior Application Security Consultant. In 2018, he became a Managing Consultant.

A 2015 federal cybersecurity report also named him as an Application Security Consultant at nVisium. By then, security had become the main part of his work.

How Did Marcus Richardson Build His Cybersecurity Career?

Richardson moved into security step by step. His first tech jobs gave him direct work with users and systems.

At nVisium, he focused on application security. That work looks for risks inside software. It can also help developers write safer code. He later moved into a management role.

In 2019, Marcus Richardson founded Oak Keep Consulting. Professional profiles list him as Founder and Principal. The firm works in application and cloud security.

In January 2020, he joined Cloud Security Partners. He became a Principal Cloud Security Architect.

His work includes helping clients understand cloud risks. He also works with developers, architects, and business teams. Part of his role includes secure coding and security training.

His career has stayed close to one main area. He started in tech support. Then he moved into software security. Later, he added cloud security and consulting work.

A Chance Meeting With Abby Phillip

Richardson met Abby Phillip in 2011. They were at a rooftop party in Washington’s Chinatown area. Neither knew many people there.

They started talking and found several common interests. Their talk covered music, food, travel, and languages. Later, another woman joined them. Richardson thought the woman knew Phillip, so he stepped away.

They left without sharing phone numbers.

Phillip later said she hoped to see him again. About a month later, their friends held another party. Richardson was there.

This time, they stayed in touch. They began dating about one week later.

Their relationship started while both were building careers in Washington. Phillip was working in political news. Richardson was working in tech and later moved into cybersecurity.

The 2016 Proposal

Richardson proposed to Phillip during the 2016 holiday season.

The couple had moved into a new apartment. They planned to host both families there for Christmas.

Richardson chose that family event for the proposal.

Phillip said yes. By then, the couple had been together for about five years.

Both were also busy with work. Phillip was growing as a political reporter. Richardson was working in application security.

Inside Their 2018 Washington Wedding

Marcus Richardson and Abby Phillip married on May 26, 2018. The wedding took place at Anderson House in Washington, D.C.

About 90 guests attended. The event had a black tie dress code. Rain changed the plan, so the ceremony moved indoors.

Anderson House is known for its art and old objects from many parts of the world. The setting also had a link to Richardson’s past. He spent part of his childhood in Europe and Asia.

The couple also added family details to the wedding. The food included dishes tied to their backgrounds.

Richardson later spoke about seeing Phillip before the ceremony. He said his heart was pounding. When he saw her, he said he was “floored.”

Phillip also became emotional. She said Richardson’s vows made her cry.

By the time they married, the couple had been together for seven years.

Becoming Parents to Naomi

Marcus Richardson and Abby Phillip became parents on August 16, 2021.

Their daughter is Naomi Angelina Richardson. She arrived 10 days after her due date. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces. She was 20.5 inches long.

Her name has family meaning.

Phillip said Naomi means “pleasant one.” Angelina honors Phillip’s maternal grandmother. Her grandmother died in 2014.

Richardson has also shared a few details about Naomi. In a 2024 post reported by media outlets, he called her smart like her mother and silly like her father.

The couple share some family moments in public. Still, they keep much of Naomi’s daily life private.

Both parents also kept working after her birth. Phillip stayed with CNN. Richardson continued his cybersecurity and consulting work.

Why Did the Family Move to New York?

The family moved from Washington, D.C., to New York City around the end of 2023.

The move came as Phillip took on a bigger role at CNN. She became the host of a nightly political show. She also kept covering national politics.

By 2026, public profiles said Phillip lived in New York with Richardson and their daughter.

Richardson kept working in cybersecurity after the move. His professional profile still lists him with Cloud Security Partners.

Washington had been an important city for the couple. They met there. They built their early careers there. They also got engaged and married there.

New York then became their family home.

Preparing for Their Second Child

In May 2026, Phillip said she and Richardson were expecting their second child.

The couple said the baby was a boy. He was due in October 2026.

Phillip also said the pregnancy came through IVF. She spoke about the physical and emotional strain of the treatment. She said the family felt grateful for the pregnancy.

Their daughter, Naomi, was also getting ready to become a big sister.

The announcement gave readers a rare look at a private part of the couple’s life.

As of September 2026, the baby was still due in October.

Cloud Security Work at Cloud Security Partners

At Cloud Security Partners, Richardson works with tech and business teams.

His work includes helping clients understand cloud risk. He also helps them improve security and build safer systems.

Richardson works with developers and cloud architects. He also takes part in secure coding education and security training.

This work needs strong tech skills. It also needs clear speech. A consultant must explain risk in a way that other people can understand.

Richardson’s company bio also lists some personal interests. He enjoys art and travel. He also likes finding good ramen.

Those interests match some of the things he and Phillip talked about when they first met in 2011.

Facts About Marcus Richardson

• Graduated from Florida State University with a B.A. in International Affairs.
• Worked at Howard University from 2009 to 2012.
• Joined LivingSocial in 2012.
• Started working at nVisium in 2014.
• Became a Managing Consultant at nVisium in 2018.
• Founded Oak Keep Consulting in 2019.
• Joined Cloud Security Partners in January 2020.
• Met Abby Phillip at a rooftop party in Washington in 2011.
• Married Phillip on May 26, 2018.
• Held the wedding at Anderson House in Washington, D.C.
• Welcomed Naomi Angelina Richardson on August 16, 2021.
• Moved with his family to New York City around late 2023.
• Expected a second child with Phillip in October 2026.
• Enjoys art, travel, and ramen, based on his company bio.

FAQs

Who is Marcus Richardson?

Marcus Richardson is a cybersecurity expert. He is also known as the husband of CNN journalist Abby Phillip.

What does Marcus Richardson do for a living?

Marcus Richardson works at Cloud Security Partners as a Principal Cloud Security Architect. He also founded Oak Keep Consulting.

When did Marcus Richardson marry Abby Phillip?

Richardson and Abby Phillip married on May 26, 2018. Their wedding took place at Anderson House in Washington, D.C.

How many children do Abby Phillip and Marcus Richardson have?

The couple have a daughter named Naomi Angelina Richardson. She was born in August 2021. In 2026, they also said they were expecting a baby boy in October.

Where do Marcus Richardson and Abby Phillip live?

Richardson and Phillip live in New York City with their daughter. They moved there from Washington, D.C., around the end of 2023.