Western Cape, South Africa
I started my career back in 1999 as a call centre agent supporting dial-up internet connections. Since then, I’ve worked my way through the ranks by staying curious, constantly learning, and always being hands-on with technology. That mindset has shaped my journey and brought me to where I am today, a CISO with a passion for helping businesses integrate cybersecurity in a practical, meaningful way. Cybersecurity isn’t just a job title for me. It’s something I genuinely care about. I believe in working alongside teams, not above them, and creating a culture where security is part of the conversation from the ground up. My goal is always to make security work for the business, not against it. For the past 13 years, I’ve been part of the team at Teraco, where I’ve grown both professionally and personally. My time at Teraco has been a cornerstone in my career, giving me deep exposure to data centre environments, infrastructure security, and the real-world application of best practices. I’m currently pursuing my MSc in Cybersecurity at Royal Holloway, University of London. This next chapter is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity to deepen my understanding and keep pushing forward. I’m also actively involved in ensuring our organisation meets ISO 27001:2022 standards, and I’m building knowledge in SOC 2 and NIST 800-82, especially where IT and OT environments intersect. My background includes data centre security, business intelligence, database design, and disaster recovery. But more importantly, it includes a genuine interest in people, processes, and progress. I’m especially fascinated by OT and IoT technologies and how they tie into today’s evolving threat landscape. Whether it’s mentoring others, sharing what I’ve learned, or staying on top of new tech trends, I’m always looking to grow and to help others grow too. Let’s connect
As CISO, I work hand-in-hand with various Teraco teams, emphasizing collaboration over hierarchy. My focus is on fostering a culture of security awareness and vigilance across the organization. Cybersecurity Leadership: Continually developing and implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses current threats while anticipating future challenges. My approach is to blend innovative solutions with proven practices to safeguard our digital assets. Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating cybersecurity risks that could impact our operations. This involves a continuous cycle of evaluation and adaptation to stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities. Compliance and Standards: Ensuring adherence to global cybersecurity standards such as ISO27001, PCI DSS, and NIST frameworks. My role includes navigating the complex landscape of compliance requirements to maintain trust and integrity in our operations. Incident Response and Recovery: Establishing robust incident response protocols to swiftly address and mitigate the impact of security breaches. Preparedness and resilience are key components of my strategy to ensure business continuity. Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a bridge between technical teams, management, and external partners. I advocate for a unified approach to cybersecurity, where everyone plays a critical role in protecting the organization. Education and Awareness: Championing cybersecurity awareness programs to cultivate a security-first mindset among employees. It's essential to empower the team with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize and respond to cyber threats.
In my role at Teraco Data Environments as the Business Applications Manager and Cybersecurity Lead, I shoulder the responsibility for ensuring comprehensive cybersecurity protocols are adhered to across all business systems. My focus is on continually fortifying our cyber defenses and adopting the latest trends and techniques to stay ahead of potential threats. My experience extends into the rapidly developing domain of Operational Technology (OT) and its associated cybersecurity considerations. With a surge in the integration of IT and OT environments, I've also upskilled myself in various tools that can be used to effectively manage and mitigate potential vulnerabilities and threats in the OT landscape. Additional key responsibilities include: - Overseeing the integration of third-party applications into our internal tools, ensuring seamless interoperability and secure data exchange. - Guaranteeing high-quality Business Intelligence (BI) delivery and maintaining rigorous data integrity standards throughout the organization. - Ensuring that our databases are designed securely, backed up appropriately, and prepared for any necessary disaster recovery processes. - Navigating the needs of various internal departments, acting as a liaison between these departments, the executive committee, and third parties for development requirements. - Adhering to the strictest cybersecurity standards, including ISO27001, ISO9001, PCI, ISO27032, and NIST, across all operations and ensuring their ongoing compliance. By aligning strategic oversight with technical acumen, I am guiding Teraco's cybersecurity initiatives towards a future marked by secure, innovative solutions that bridge the gap between IT and OT.
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