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My focus has been to grow the business , the team , and partners .
Investing in managing the risk rather than eradicating it is the most sensible way to avoid the threat .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in the Middle East and Africa ?
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
While I highly value the work that I do and its impact on the world , it is essential to balance one ’ s time and destress . To unwind , I love spending time with my friends , traveling around the world , reading , and playing chess in my free time .
If you could go back and change one career decision what would it be ?
It is quite challenging to pinpoint a career decision that I would change , as I believe that even the “ bad ” career decisions I have made have contributed to who I am as a manager . These have been learning moments ; therefore , I would not trade them out . One thing I would ’ ve wished I ’ d learned earlier is the importance of knowing when your time at a company is over and when it is best to move on to more incredible things .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
Given the current cybersecurity landscape and the growing threat of cybercrime globally , the defenses used against these menaces need to be given more attention .
I believe that three key areas require further investment in the cybersecurity industry :
Managed security services : These provide outsourced management and monitoring of security systems and devices . Investing in effective managed security services can save IT and security teams time spent on menial tasks .
Training and Knowledge transfer : The technology industry , specifically the cybersecurity trade , faces a significant skills gap . Cyberattacks have become a common occurrence in recent years , and companies are not equipped with the right staff to deal with the evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape .
Online fraud and risk management : It is essential to understand that everyone is at risk of online fraud , as these can also trick cybersecurity professionals .
From my personal experience in the technology field , I would say that I have noted three challenges for new technologies coming into the region .
The first challenge is that almost every market and industry has its own maturity curve , so the level of customisation and localisation needs to be high to be able to take region-specific issues . The second is inconsistent awareness and consensus towards only vital challenges , leading to many clients prioritising compliance over innovation . The third challenge is , as mentioned previously , the skills shortage .
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 ?
Ever since I first joined Group-IB as the Director of Business Development 18 months ago , my focus has been to grow the business , the team , and partners . I believe that Group-IB has been blessed with great individuals across different departments allowing us to achieve many regional successes .
Over the following 12 to 18 months , I believe that Group-IB will be growing at a higher rate , and this is due to the insights , experiences and relationships we have gathered across our markets concerning our Strengths , Weaknesses , Opportunities , and Threats ( SWOT ). We know more where we need to focus and how to accelerate our grow .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a c-level position in your industry ?
For those aiming to reach a C-level position within the cybersecurity fields , these are the four principles I live by and that I believe are essential for new-comers to learn early on : Build a strong team with healthy culture and hold yourself and the team accountable for impactful results , delegate , coach , and focus on developing others , act and execute like a C-Level , and the position will follow and communicate , communicate , communicate . It ’ s important for the team to be appreciated by the organisation and their impact on the overall business and bottom line . That can only be achieved through constant communication with all stakeholders . p
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