3rd Int'l Conference, June 2020 | Page 65

Mr Michael Nicolaou
Director , Head of Networks , CDMA Services Ltd
Michael Nicolaou is a Network and Security Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications and service provider industry . Before his leading role at CDMA Services , he has worked for Vodafone UK , PrimeTel and Spidernet Services , where he was actively engaged in large scale projects , from the early design and planning stage until service delivery for data , mobile , voice and video network designs . He has designed and implemented network infrastructure security controls for large organizations in Cyprus and abroad . Also , performed network devices hardening and configuration reviews . Latest projects worked on , include Over-The-Top ( OTT ) TV delivery for Vodafone UK , as well as Mobile Network Operator ( MNO ) rollout and full IP voice infrastructure for PrimeTel . Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology , a Master ’ s degree in Network Systems and numerous professional certifications in the telecommunications , service provider and security space , from various vendors such as , Cisco , Juniper , Huawei , Sonus , Ericsson , EC-Council and others . In addition to his professional experience , Michael is a certified Cisco instructor ( CCSI ), where he delivers Cisco and other network-oriented courses to network professionals .
" Managing Security in the New Digital Era "
Rising cybercrime , digital disruption , increased compliance demands , and skill shortages are changing the landscape in cyber security . Businesses look for a competitive edge through digital transformation , but the deciding factor that forces them to seek help from external partners ( MSSPs ), are the increasing data breaches . MSSPs need to supersede the “ trust ” barrier and they have to fight their way through and prove that the are more efficient , more flexible , they have a lot of quality and expertise , they can provide a large scope of security product portfolio , but most important , that they are cost effective . Defence-In-Depth , or Layered Cybersecurity Defence Network , is a strategy using multiple security measures to protect the integrity of information , where if one line of defence is compromised , additional layers of defence are in place to ensure that threats do not slip through the cracks . This method addresses the security vulnerabilities that inevitably exist in technology , personnel , and operations within an organization . In the pervasive threat environment that exists today , organizations need to assume this perimeter can be breached and hence protect key assets against internal as well as external threats . Assuming breach requires a shift in mindset from prevention alone to containment after breach . Therefor organizations need to plan for an imminent security compromise . They need to harden their internal network , systems and applications is such a way that hackers will really struggle to move laterally and remain unnoticed for a long period of time . Penetration testing is a key exercise that organizations need to take to simulate such attacks , but security awareness training is also as important , since people are the weakest link in the chain and they must be trained … continuously .