I made the decision to move from traditional IT to cybersecurity just as that discipline became so critical and urgent . the sales processes on a SAP ERP implementation – that started my career in technology .
GO PHISH
WE ‘ GO PHISHING ’ WITH BRIAN SPANSWICK , CISO AND HEAD OF IT , COHESITY , WHO TELLS US ABOUT LIFE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICE .
wWhat would you describe as your most memorable achievement in this field ?
Obtaining the SANS security certifications as I was preparing for my transition into a cybersecurity role . I definitely studied harder for those tests than I did when I was in college .
What first made you think of a career in technology ?
I started my career in Sales for an industrial wholesaler and I was living in San Francisco at the time . This was the early ‘ 90s when the first . com boom occurred . Living in the centre of the digital economy it was easy to see where the future opportunities were . I was offered the chance to represent
I made the decision to move from traditional IT to cybersecurity just as that discipline became so critical and urgent . the sales processes on a SAP ERP implementation – that started my career in technology .
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?
Empowerment and accountability . This is commonly stated often as two separate things but when these two principles are combined it puts folks in a position to be both successful and to do their best work . Empowerment includes having the capability ( skills and resources ) to deliver the outcomes they need in order to be held accountable to deliver . As a manager you then focus on enabling and supporting both .
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point ?
Easily the anticipated potential and anticipated impact of ChatGPT and Large Language Models ( LLMs ). In my 30 + years in the industry I haven ’ t seen a change in technology that is going to have this level of impact . Because of that there are such strong reactions on both the positive and negative that go beyond what this technology is capable of – and what it is capable of is huge . We have a responsibility to understand its potential ,
both positive and negative , and manage its application accordingly .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
I ’ m an introvert and although I love my work it takes a lot of energy out of me . In order to recharge I spend a lot of quiet time playing golf , going to rock shows and reading – it keeps me engaged as I recharge .
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be ?
I am fortunate that the few big career decisions I ’ ve made have turned out well . I made the decision to move into IT just as the digital economy exploded , I made the decision to move from traditional IT to cybersecurity just as that discipline became so critical and urgent . I count www . intelligentciso . com
71