GET TO KNOW
The management philosophy I follow is rooted in a consultative approach that prioritises empowerment and trust . beyond the technical user . Employees at every level play an important role to help with an organisation ’ s security posture and therefore the solutions that are employed by organisations need to take this into account and provide streamlined workflows and userfriendly experiences .
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside of the office ?
Creating an environment of trust is essential to my management philosophy . I strive to foster open communication and collaboration among team members . I value the diverse perspectives and ideas they bring to the table , recognising that their expertise surpasses my own in their respective areas . By encouraging their input and involvement , I aim to tap into their collective intelligence and drive innovation within the team .
What do you think is the hottest technology trend currently and why ?
There are so many ‘ hot ’ things happening at the moment , however , the common trend that I am seeing across massive advancements in AI , IoT , Digital Transformation and other initiatives , is the underlying explosion of data . All of these trends are generating more data than we have ever dealt with in living memory . The challenge ahead of every organisation is understanding how to manage all of this data in an era where every country globally will have strict privacy requirements that must be adhered to . There is no silver bullet to solve this , however , every company must start taking steps to become more aware and manage this challenge in an effective manner .
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
The use case for understanding data and taking responsibility for security is heading downstream
Spending as much outdoor time as possible with my family and friends doing things like offroad biking , wake boarding and swimming . When you ’ re in a role that demands your time both day and night , I take my downtime very seriously and make the most of it .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
Building a network of industry peers to test ideas with and seeking out mentors who can help you on your own journey . People by their very nature are open to helping others . You just have to ask .
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in Europe ?
Data residency continues to be a challenge when servicing European consumers , particularly for organisations that reside outside the EU .
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 ?
Anyone leading a company must be adaptable and this skillset has become of even greater importance as the world has been undergoing economic and political changes . By being adaptable , company leaders can find opportunity in any situation and this reminds me of Ground Labs ’ roots when it was founded during the GFC . Because we remained focused on solving a clear market challenge , the opportunities presented themselves .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain C-level position in your industry ?
I think many see the C-level as an ultimate career goal . However , I would say do it for the right reasons and make a clear and conscious decision that this is the right path for you . Speak to anyone you can in similar roles that you aspire to . Seek out mentors early who can help guide you and provide feedback on areas to work on and evolve . p
82 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com