Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 37 | Page 72

GET TO KNOW “ WORK HARD, SHOW DEDICATION, COURAGE AND DETERMINATION IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be? If I hadn’t gone into the exciting and constantly changing world of cybersecurity, I would have followed the aviation IT path. It would be amazing to be involved in the next generation of aircraft, using some of the new technologies incorporating AI. What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry? The exponential growth of cyberthreats is confirmed by research groups around the world, which consider a cyberattack to be the main risk facing businesses in the near future. The frequency and severity of cyberattacks and data breaches has risen significantly in the last few years, as attacks increase in volume and variety. What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in Africa? Achieving availability of a safe, secure, trusted and affordable Internet for all is seen as a key enabler of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) around the globe. People globally are relying more and more on the Internet for access to education, healthcare, employment, commerce and information. Plus, the developing Internet of Things (IoT) with its myriad of connected sensors and devices promises to dramatically enhance the varied social and economic benefits of global connectivity – while simultaneously leaving further behind the world’s unconnected populations. 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 ever-evolving threat landscape it’s becoming increasingly important to create a culture of cybersecurity awareness for our customers, partners and internal teams. Communicating this effectively has become an increasing focus for me and I believe this will continue to be the case as cybercrime continues to change and become more sophisticated. What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain C-level position in your industry? Work hard, show dedication, courage and determination in everything you do. Also, maintain a strategic mindset that overcomes the burden of operational issues and establishes a clear vision for all those who cross your daily path. n 72 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com