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new and improved attack methods. Every
organisation, no matter their size or
industry, is a target. This topic isn’t going
away, so everyone needs to rethink how
they’re approaching cybersecurity and
make sure they have the right measures
in place.
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
I spend time relaxing at home. I also love
mountain biking and reading books.
“
CYBERCRIME IS AS
RELEVANT ON OUR
CONTINENT AS IT
IS IN THE REST OF
THE WORLD.
72
INTELLIGENTCIO
If you could go back and change
one career decision what would
it be?
I would make sure I fully understood the
importance of working hard at school and
then going on to university to get a degree.
I delayed this, and I suspect it cost me
seven years.
What do you currently identify as
the major areas of investment in
your industry?
People. We have a major skills shortage
and the supply of cybersecurity
professionals is not keeping up with the
demand required to handle the advanced
levels of cybercrime.
What are the region-specific
challenges when implementing new
technologies in Africa?
Believe it or not I still think we have
challenges when it comes to simple things
like implementing power and infrastructure
such as road and bridges.
Secondly, there’s still a misconception
that cybercrime is not something that
African organisations need to worry about.
Cybercrime is as relevant on our continent
as it is in the rest of the world and the
challenge lies in educating organisations
about why cybersecurity needs to be
a priority.
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’ve been very focused on working hard to
coach people as opposed to only leading
and managing.
This applies to internal teams and
relationships but is also being applied
externally to a certain extent.
What advice would you offer
somebody aspiring to obtain a
C-level position in your industry?
Be authentic, interdependent and build
relationships at all levels. n
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