On the lighter side of things , we Go Phishing with Ercan Aydin , Vice President , Middle East and North Africa at Palo Alto Networks , to discuss what makes him tick .

What would you describe as your most memorable achievement in the cybersecurity industry ?

Leading Digital Transformation projects across emerging markets and enabling secure cloud technology transitions for key clients at Palo Alto Networks have been particular highlights of my career .

What first made you think of a career in cybersecurity ?

The challenge of safeguarding digital infrastructure in a rapidly evolving technological landscape sparked my interest in cybersecurity early in my career . It ’ s also a dynamic and challenging work environment where you learn something new almost every day .

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?

I believe in a collaborative , coaching-based approach to management , empowering my team to take ownership , while providing support and guidance .

What do you think is the current hot cybersecurity talking point ?

Cloud security and the adoption of zero-trust architectures are key topics as more organisations shift to multi-cloud environments . At Palo Alto Networks , we emphasise the ‘ never trust , always verify ’ approach of zero-trust architecture , especially with the growing complexity of managing security across various platforms . Additionally , our advanced cloud security solutions provide visibility and control across multi-cloud setups , enabling swift responses to emerging threats .

How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?

I stay active through sports like racket games , basketball and swimming . I also enjoy reading and writing to clear my mind .

If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?

I would have explored a career in cybersecurity even earlier to capitalise on its dynamic growth , enabling me to accelerate my professional development and impact .

What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in the cybersecurity industry ?

Today , major investments in the cybersecurity industry are focused on cloud security , AI-driven

The challenge of safeguarding digital infrastructure in a rapidly evolving technological landscape sparked my interest in cybersecurity early in my career .

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