On the lighter side of things , we ask the industry experts what makes them tick . . . .
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Ashraf Koheil , Director , Business Development , Group-IB MEA
wWhat would you describe as your most memorable achievement ?
I would have to say that my proudest and most memorable professional achievement was building a business from scratch and seeing it through over the years . While every milestone , growth point , and success in my career is a memorable achievement for me , I would have to say that joining Group-IB as the director of Business Development within the MEA region has been the most satisfying . Contributing to the fight against cybercrime is my latest and most enjoyable achievement .
What first made you think of a career in technology ?
I remember witnessing the technology boom firsthand . In the 1990s , technological innovations reinvented our perception of society and business . These developments transformed all industries by becoming a backbone for further success , innovation , and excellence . Today , some industries , such as BFSI , have 90 % reliance on technology . However , the real change came once the Internet revolutionised what was already considered optimised devices . After experiencing the benefits that came once technology advanced , I saw that the future lies within this field .
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?
one management principle that has never failed me : to form a team that represents great talents and attitude . This is key as this will create a ripple effect as they will :
• Attract strong and committed partners to invest with which will ;
• Attract your flagship clients , which will ;
• Create growth both at the business level and team learning
What do you think is the current hot technology talking point ?
With technology being the focus of the pandemic due to its role in sustaining communities and businesses , it is difficult to specify one “ hot ” technology topic . When it comes to the cybersecurity field , I believe that a few key phrases have popped up over the past year which will remain relevant , including managed services , knowledge transfer and industrial automation .
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 ?
I believe that applying the most straightforward philosophy usually works best . I have always stuck by
It is quite challenging to pinpoint a career decision that I would change , as I believe that even the “ bad ” career
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