Intelligent CIO APAC Issue 56 | Page 80

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I saw how technology improved the economy and raised our standard of living .
to proprietary corporate data and equipped with the ability to make decisions and take actions , new attack surfaces are introduced that enable new and sophisticated attack techniques .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in APAC ?
While the APAC region continues to see rapid growth supported by a robust domestic demand towards a secure digital-first economy , organisations are facing more impactful breaches because of increasingly complex ransomware attacks , emerging AI-driven threats and an ever-expanding attack surface . All of these issues are compounding into a ‘ perfect storm ’ and the result is an over-burdened security team .
Oftentimes , cybersecurity defences become an afterthought . As businesses continue to digitise their operations , traditional security measures may not be enough and robust cybersecurity measures become even more critical .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office ?
I find volunteer work especially fulfilling and transformative . I participate in food delivery for single , elderly individuals within my community . As I get to know these folks from different socio-economic backgrounds and life circumstances , my appreciation for the resilience and strength these individuals show further deepens . It ’ s a journey of self-reflection and a lesson in humility and empathy that helps cultivates my personal growth .
The cyber tools and strategies that worked for your organisation last year may not be the most effective today or even tomorrow . To combat today ’ s sophisticated cyberthreats , detection measures must consider the ways that tools like AI-enhanced attack signal intelligence can improve the organisation ' s resilience .
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 ?
Today ’ s security landscape demands constant vigilance and mindsets need to change . It ’ s not about thinking that your organization might be breached but realising it is only a matter of time until it is breached .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
I would have loved to start some sort of social enterprise that provides employment opportunities for marginalized communities , support sustaining practices or donate products and services to the needy .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
Cybercrime is escalating , enhanced by AI and is impacting organizations more than ever . While technology investment is important , it also needs to be in the right areas . For an entity to be truly resilient in today ’ s era of AI-based attacks change is needed . In my view , the only way to fight AI based attacks is with AI .
As security breaches become more definitive , a shift in boardroom mindset becomes a critical piece of the puzzle . C-suites need to take cybersecurity beyond a compliance requirement and make it a strategic business priority . A robust AI driven cybersecurity strategy can automate , triage and prioritise real threats with accuracy in real time . This is the starting point when thinking about what needs to be done to reduce security risk and build a more secure and resilient organisation .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry ?
Being a successful C-level executive in today ’ s competitive landscape requires a broad range of business skills , up to date knowledge and a lot of curiosity .
An AI-enhanced security solution has the capacity to monitor all activity happening in a network , understand what users are typically doing , and know what data is being sent out of an organization . With these fundamental knowledge pillars , many attacks , both simple and sophisticated , can easily be stopped before any damage is done .
I ’ ve also found that by adopting inspiring C-level executives as mentors , you can gain valuable insights that will help advance your career . These mentors can offer guidance and share pertinent advice based on the lessons they ’ ve learnt in both their years at the top and their own journey that has led them to achieve a seat at the top table . p
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