GET TO KNOW
If you could go back
and change one
career decision what
would it be?
I have no regrets but would
have perhaps liked an
international stint. Maybe
it’s not too late.
and for everyone
in the organisation to be accountable, to
work together and learn from each other.
What do you think is the current hot
technology talking point?
Cybersecurity has been a hot topic for some
time now but it continues to cause waves,
with the cyberthreat landscape constantly
evolving and cyber criminals introducing new
and improved attack methods all the time.
It’s finally front and centre of boardroom
discussions. Prominent organisations are
experiencing massive breaches every week
and only some are making news headlines.
Organisations are battling to keep up with
the volume and diversity of attacks and I
believe we are going to continue to see this
topic dominating tech discussions for several
years to come.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is another major
buzzword at the moment. The developments
in this field have been incredible and I
can’t wait to see what the future holds as
AI becomes more engrained in everything
we do. In our field, the use of AI is two-fold.
We are seeing an increase in the use of
AI to introduce attacks that can morph
more quickly. But it’s also becoming an
increasingly important weapon in the arsenal
of cybersecurity and is becoming essential to
deal with evolving cyberthreats.
What do you currently
identify as the major
areas of investment in
your industry?
There’s a major skills gap throughout the
IT industry but particularly in the security
space. The threat landscape is evolving
at such a rapid pace that it’s difficult
for current security experts to keep up.
Investment in skills development is therefore
crucial. Another core area would be to
invest in customer experience. Vendors
have historically been of the opinion that
their technology is good enough to ensure
customer loyalty but as more services enter
the market, ensuring customer success is
what will set solutions apart.
What are the region-specific
challenges when implementing new
technologies in the Middle East?
None really, other than understanding the
nuances of doing business in a new market.
The UAE and other Middle Eastern countries
are, of course, developing economies and
these usually have their own unique set of
challenges. But we did our research when we
entered the UAE and after taking time to get
to know the market, no challenge has been
too difficult to manage.
“
I ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT ALL TEAM
MEMBERS
NEED TO FEEL
EMPOWERED, NO
MATTER WHAT
LEVEL THEY’RE
AT. IT’S FOR THIS
REASON THAT I
HAVE AN OPEN-
DOOR POLICY.
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?
I have spent time over the last year growing
a strong leadership team. This has allowed
me to be less operational and more
strategic. It’s allowing me to look at growth
opportunities regionally and internationally.
What advice would you offer
somebody aspiring to obtain c-level
position in your industry?
Be hungry, be humble and, most
importantly, be helpful. n
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
I love spending time with my family and
exercising. I run the odd marathon and
compete in league squash. I also play
veterans rugby for the Hamilton’s Dynamiters,
the oldest rugby club in South Africa.
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