Intelligent CISO Issue 72 | Page 68

GO phish

What do you think is the current hot cybersecurity talking point ?
Security collaboration . Cybersecurity teams are fragmented , both internally and externally . Organisations of all sizes are facing the challenge of identifying the threats which truly pose the greatest risks to their business . While threat intelligence is a valuable resource in this area , there is still the task of parsing , correlating and prioritising the vast amounts of data into a single source of truth . As such , the next step is to connect the dots . This approach to cybersecurity – cyber fusion – is desperately needed to bring together all security functions ( threat intelligence , security automation , threat response , security orchestration , incident response etc .) and allow organisations to then manage and respond to threats in a cohesive manner .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
Dealing with stress effectively is crucial for maintaining both personal and professional balance . For me , the key is engaging in activities that promote both physical and mental wellbeing . I enjoy walking – both short , brisk walks and long ones . Beyond exercise , I also prioritise activities that offer mental relaxation and stimulation . I like reading books and watching thoughtful documentaries . But spending quality time with family and friends is the biggest stress buster . Disconnecting from work-related thoughts and immersing myself in these activities helps me recharge .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
People take decisions throughout their professional journey and not all of them turn out to be perfect . If I were to look back , there isn ’ t a specific decision I would pinpoint to change . Every career decision that I have taken until now , whether it turned out as expected or not , has contributed significantly to my professional growth and development . I view each of those decisions as a valuable learning opportunity . The choices that didn ’ t turn out as anticipated were especially instrumental in this learning process . They taught me resilience , adaptability and have been crucial in shaping my approach to leadership and decision-making .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in the cybersecurity industry ? Ransomware and supply chain attacks are currently dominating the threat landscape and , as such , investment into combating these is a major area of concern . They are huge threats not only to the security of a company , but also its financial viability .
Ransomware payments continue to skyrocket ; since ransomware was first introduced in 2014 , payments have exceeded US $ 60 billion globally . This does not include remediation costs , new software costs , massive patching efforts , etc .
Are there any differences in the way cybersecurity challenges need to be tackled in the different regions ?
The US and UK are facing huge cybersecurity challenges . However , at the same time , they are also well positioned to defend against oncoming threats ; their security preparedness is relatively more mature than other countries because they have been investing in the industry for so long . As a result , the challenges felt in the US and UK are different from those in emerging economies . In these regions , the challenges are centred around a lack of collaboration , intelligence sharing and supply chain security , for example .
On the other hand , in emerging economies , the cybersecurity infrastructure is still on its way to gaining maturity . As such , they can ’ t collaborate or share intelligence unless they internally have a way to collect , process , or action intelligence . So , for developing countries , threat intelligence operations are the major challenges .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
In the past year the world has changed rapidly due to AI advancements . My focus has been on adapting our strategies to evolving market needs and integrating AI into our products . Looking forward , I anticipate forging strategic partnerships to bolster our technological edge , and continuously innovating in the predictive cybersecurity space . This approach is aligned with our commitment to staying at the forefront of AI-driven cybersecurity solutions .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in the security industry ?
Aspiring to a C-level position in the security industry requires more than passion ; it demands a deep understanding of the evolving cybersecurity landscape . Emphasise continuous learning , innovation and adaptability . Build on your strengths and mitigate weaknesses , but also develop strategic vision and leadership skills . Stay informed about emerging threats and trends and cultivate a proactive security culture . Success lies in combining personal growth with a commitment to driving industry advancements .
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