CHANNEL CHIEF
Leap of faith brought
her to technology
Inspired by its corporate objective in 2013 and the task of
launching NetClean’s services, Lauren Wain has just kept
moving up the corporate rungs since then. By Arun Shankar.
Lauren Wain is General
Manager and Vendor
Relations for Credence
Security Africa.
L
auren Wain joined value added
distributor and security specialist,
Credence Security, in 2013 in the
business development team. Credence
Security is the region’s specialty
distribution company in cybersecurity,
forensics, governance, risk and
compliance. Today, the most satisfying
part of Lauren’s job is working with her
team. “Over the past few years, we have
certainly managed to get the recipe right in
bringing the most dynamic people into the
Credence family. I can honestly say that I
believe our success as a business is down
to the strength and determination of each
individual at our core,” she explains.
Reflecting, Lauren says there are many
highlights within her career that spring
to mind, but first and foremost is that of
being part of the original team and seeing
the growth and achievement of Credence
Security over the past few years. Credence
Security has grown from a company of 10
employees in one region, representing one
vendor, to 35 employees in six regions,
representing over 30 leading global players.
60
Lauren took a leap of faith from a
well-known media firm into the world of
technology on the recommendation of a
close friend. What really sealed the deal for
her was that she was going to be taking on
the challenge of introducing a very niche
vendor into the South African market.
It was in October 2013 that her passion
for security specialist vendor NetClean was
ignited. NetClean is a solution provider
in combating online child sexual abuse
and it was Lauren’s job to open the eyes
of the African market. She was expected
to encourage South African businesses in
their journey on how to effectively protect
children and make a positive societal
impact with the use of technology.
We are firm
believers in
the theory of
work hard and
play hard.
With regards to her management style,
Lauren puts in a lot of effort into bringing
on people that fit the culture of the group.
“We are firm believers in the theory of
work hard and play hard. I do believe in
leading by example and no task should be
seen as too small or large for anyone in
the business regardless of the position you
hold. My management philosophy is to
empower and enable those around you.”
What are the hot technology points
coming up? “There is always something
new on the horizon, especially in the
cybersecurity technology realm, and I
cannot help but wait and wonder what
technological marvels are coming next.
I think we will be hearing a lot around
things like automation, machine learning
and particularly the combination of the
two. We all want things done faster,
better and more efficiently. What a time
to be alive!”
How does Lauren destress after work?
She admits she is still trying to master this,
but running, art, adopting new animals
and wine sampling help her keep stress
monsters at bay. Other than managing
a business, Lauren points out she also
manages a home, including a husband,
two sons, three dogs, two hamsters and
other gentle occupants.
With regards to gender equality in
the work place, Lauren points out that
women all over the world are proving daily
they have the ability to run businesses
successfully, especially in traditionally
male-dominated sectors like technology.
“I have been fortunate to be part of a
supportive, inclusive and progressive
organisation that shows no gender bias.
Our core distribution business is managed
by women, including myself, and that in
itself speaks volumes.”
Her advice for fellow aspiring women
executives is to cultivate their passion,
empower and enable themselves. “Be
ambitious and aggressive in achieving
your goals!
Issue 12
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS