Cybersecurity professionals are sometimes perceived as sole practitioners, plying their craft in dimly lit rooms. Nothing might be farther from the reality, as one of many keys to being a profitable cybersecurity skilled is the power to collaborate and, extra importantly, to share data as far and broad as doable.
At Cisco, we have now fashioned the Cisco Insider Advocacy program, which consists of a worldwide group of pros enthusiastic about working and spreading their data with others. We have a good time these people’ efforts with annual awards in varied disciplines and locales. In 2023, Cisco will acknowledge prime advocates by area for the Global Advocate Awards. Our first occasion – highlighting Cisco prospects from throughout the EMEA area – is across the nook. It all occurs at Cisco Live in Amsterdam, in a reside ceremony on February 8!
I’m joined on the Advocate Awards judges’ panel by my colleagues, Cindy Valladares, Director of Brand Strategy and Customer Advocacy at Cisco Secure, Caroline Surujpaul, EMEA and European Marketing Director at Cisco Secure and Sarah Stephens, Senior Security Marketing Leader for EMEA at Cisco Secure. We are happy to introduce the nominees for the Cybersecurity Defender of the Year Award in EMEA.
We have 5 distinguished nominees, and whereas we have now but to pick out a winner, you will note how every of their contributions to Cisco’s cybersecurity group raised our consideration.
Nominees for 2023 EMEA Cybersecurity Defender of the Year
Alessandro Braga – CDO, Talent Garden
Alessandro was featured in a current profitable case research about the Future of Work with Umbrella, in addition to an earlier piece about simplified safety utilizing Cisco Meraki in Talent Garden.
Alessandro additionally authored a e-book about digital transformation lengthy earlier than it was a typical buzzword. That is typical of Alessandro’s foresight, the power to be proactive to modifications earlier than they’re commonplace. He is certainly on the innovative.
Alessandro considers his involvement within the Advocacy group as “a very easy goal for me. First, because I’m very passionate about cybersecurity, and second because here I can find very valuable peers and professionals to share information with.” Alessandro’s talents are borne from ardour, drive, and adherence to a private code of excellence; he realized safety in a strictly hands-on type. He can also be a member of Cisco’s “League of Cybersecurity Heroes.”
Christoffer Vargtass Hallstensen – Head of SOC, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Christoffer, the latest Cisco Insider Advocacy group member, has gotten off to a brisk involvement with the group. He was not too long ago featured within the case research “NTNU Supports a Diverse Academic and Research Community with Proactive Security,” which detailed how the Norwegian University of Science and Technology tackled the administration of a dizzying 110,000 endpoints connecting to the college’s VPN.
Christoffer absolutely embraces the ideology of collaboration, mentioning that when he was searching for a safety answer, “We didn’t want a vendor. We didn’t want a product. We wanted a partner to help us attack this large problem of cybersecurity.” He additionally demonstrates a fervent dedication to sharing by authoring half a dozen works within the cybersecurity realm, starting from scientific to educational articles. His involvement within the Insider Advocacy group has earned him a spot in Cisco’s “League of Cybersecurity Heroes.”
Mark Healey – Senior Cyber Security Engineer, South Yorkshire Police
Mark is likely one of the most erudite cybersecurity professionals one may meet. He has intensive academic credentials and enjoys sharing his data, making him one of many Top 10 most engaged advocates of the Cybersecurity Channel inside the Cisco Insider Advocates group.
Mark’s skilled involvement extends past his native precinct, providing his data of safety finest practices throughout the UK Policing group. In finishing his most up-to-date college diploma, he authored a dissertation that “has led to an initiative to improve the security posture of my workplace.” Mark’s help to different Cisco prospects has additionally led to his election as Vice-Chair of the Internet Society Cybersecurity Special Interest Group. He can also be a member of Cisco’s “League of Cybersecurity Heroes.”
Luigi Vassallo – COO & CTO, Sara Assicurazioni
Luigi is a useful member of the Insider Advocacy group and was not too long ago featured in a video and written success story about Zero Trust and XDR.
Luigi is an agent of change who embraces the collaborative spirit of a real cybersecurity knowledgeable, as exemplified in his whole skilled method: “Since the infrastructure is now cloud-based, we had to change our mindset regarding cybersecurity as well. It was important to have the people, the process, the organisation, and the technology under the same security umbrella.”
When not working to make sure the safety of the Sara Assicurazioni atmosphere, Luigi has devoted time to talking at occasions, such because the “Experts Learning from Experts” world digital session, a particular digital roundtable devoted to Zero Trust and, final however not least, his presentation at Cisco Live Emea in Amsterdam about XDR and Zero Trust. His contributions to the Insider Advocacy platform mirror a tireless dedication to the cybersecurity group. Luigi can also be a member of Cisco’s “League of Cybersecurity Heroes.”
Diego Zengin – Global CTO, Grupo Cosentino
Last yr, Diego participated as speaker on the Tech Forum: Convergencia entre redes y seguridad. He will even be featured in a future ThreatWise TV – Cisco episode
Diego recognised early on that distant work would place his organisation outdoors the scope of their safety and took proactive measures to fulfill the problem. Part of his proactive method is to freely talk his concepts, resulting in his involvement within the Insider Advocacy group. This has additionally earned him a spot inside Cisco’s “League of Cybersecurity Heroes.”
Diego’s view of working with Cisco’s merchandise is summed up in a catchy phrase: “If it’s connected, it’s protected.” His involvement inside the Insider Advocacy group makes us echo that sentiment by stating that he’s related, serving to to maintain everybody protected.
Supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One level of observe is the absence of girls from the listing of nominees. This was not the results of bias, as Cisco has a historical past of considerable range, fairness, and inclusion. As you possibly can see from the actions of the present nominees, the choice was based mostly strictly on contributions to the group. We would like to see extra engagement and membership within the Insider Advocacy program, not solely from ladies however from a broader geographic space. This would enhance the alternatives of doable nominees and add an excellent wider palette of inclusion to the complete nomination course of.
We know that there’s a complete inhabitants of cybersecurity professionals who search extra reference to like-minded people, and we welcome you to hitch this cohesive group.
Join Cisco’s most strategic, forward-thinking buyer and associate advocates so
we will characteristic your story of ardour and dedication on our subsequent nomination listing!
We’d love to listen to what you assume. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with Cisco Secure on social!
Cisco Secure Social Channels
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Share: