Most Influential Cybersecurity Leader to Follow in 2024 July2024

Human Error: The Achilles' Heel of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurityhasbecomeapressingconcerninourtechnology-driven

era.Ascyberthreatsbecomemorecomplexandwidespread, organizationsfacedauntingchallengesinsafeguardingtheirsensitive dataandsystems.Cybersecurityleadersareattheheartofthisbattle,playinga pivotalroleinprotectingbusinessesandinstitutionsfromtheseemerging dangers.

Theseprofessionalsareattheforefrontofdevelopingandimplementingrobust securitystrategies.Theymeticulouslyassessvulnerabilities,implementcuttingedgetechnologies,andcreatecomprehensiveincidentresponseplans.By stayingonestepaheadoftheever-evolvingthreats,cybersecurityleadershelp organizationsbuildresilienceandfortifytheirdefensesagainstattacks.

Moreover,theyfosteracultureofsecurityawarenesswithintheirorganizations, educatingemployeesaboutbestpracticesandpotentialrisks.Theirexpertise extendstoensuringcompliancewithdataprotectionregulationsandindustry standards,whicharecrucialinmaintainingthetrustandintegrityofdigital ecosystems.

Cybersecurityleadersalsocollaboratewithlawenforcementagenciesand industrypeerstosharethreatintelligenceandimproveoverallcybersecurity postureacrosssectors.Theirtirelesseffortsareinstrumentalinmaintainingtrust indigitalecosystemsandensuringthecontinuityofbusinessoperationsinan ever-changingthreatlandscape.Theirdedicationandexpertisearevitalin safeguardingthedigitalfutureoforganizationsandindividualsalike.

Aswesailthisdevelopingdigitalbattlefield,implementingmulti-factor authentication,regularsecuritytraining,andAI-driventhreatdetectionwillbe crucialformitigatingrisksandsafeguardingsensitivedata.

Initslatestedition, "Most Influential Cybersecurity Leaders to Follow in 2024," InsightsSuccessshowcasesSharizaUmiraPuteriKamarozzaman,who exemplifiestheprinciplesofinnovativeleadershipincybersecurity.Asthe SectionHeadofInformationSecurity,SecurityOperationsCenter Kamarozzamanhasbeeninstrumentalinimplementingprogressivesecurity protocolsandfosteringacultureofcyberawareness.

Have a great read ahead!

16.

Shariza Umira Puteri Bin Kamarozzaman: Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity

18.

Digital Forensics: Tools and Techniques for Cybercrime Invesgaon

20.

Cybersecurity Awareness and Educaon: Empowering Employees to Protect Against Threats

Challenges of Third-Party Risk Management and How to Overcome Them

Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity

Thecybersecurityindustryplays apivotalroleintoday’sdigital economy.Itprotectsrational property,ensuresbusinesscontinuity, facilitatesdigitaltransformation,and createsjobsandeconomic opportunities.Asorganizations increasinglyrelyontechnologyto streamlineoperations,accessnew markets,andinnovateproductsand services,cybersecurityenablesthemto embracedigitaltransformation securely,minimizingtherisks associatedwithadoptingnew technologiesandexpandingdigital capabilities.

Onesuchindividualwhohasmade significantcontributionstothisfieldis SharizaUmiraPuteriBinti Kamarozzaman.Sheisadedicated professionalwhohasdevotedherself tothefieldsofITInfrastructureand Cybersecurityforover13years.Her journeyhasbeenmarkedbyconsistent hardworkandresilience,guidedbya philosophythatresonatesdeeplywith her:‘Successisn’talwaysabout greatness.It’saboutconsistency. Consistenthardworkleadstosuccess.’

SharizacurrentlyservesastheSection HeadofInformationSecurity, SecurityOperationsCenter.The company’sITInfrastructure departmentisextensiveanddedicated toprovidingastableinfrastructurefor theapplicationteam.Theirgoalisto offerthebestplatformpossibleto thousandsofcustomersacrossAsia. TheITSecurityandCompliance departmentcollaboratescloselywith infrastructuretoensureasafe,secure, andcompliantenvironmentthereby safeguardingbusinesscontinuity.

Let us learn more about her journey:

OvercomingChallengesand ThrivinginITSecurityOperations

Shariza’searlyyearsresembledthose ofatypicalfamily;sheistheeldest childandtheonlydaughteramongfive familymembers,includingherparents. Shecanconfidentlysaythatshehas alwaysbeencherishedbyhermother, whohasprovidedherwithinvaluable guidanceonhowtobeindependent andaleader

ShegraduatedfromtheUniversity KualaLumpur–MalaysianInstituteof InformationTechnologywitha BachelorofComputerEngineering (Hons)in2011.Followingher graduation,shesecuredapositionasa WintelEngineeratHewlettPackard Malaysiathatsameyear.However, aftereightyears,shedecidedto embarkonanewjourneyinSecurity Operations,drivenbyhereagernessto explorenewopportunities.

DuringhertransitiontoSecurity Operations,shediscoveredaprofound interestinthecybersecurityfield, whichhasbecomeherpassion.Over her13yearsofstudyingandworking inITandSecurityOperations,she encounterednumerouschallenges.One significanthurdlewasadaptingtothe newrealmofSecurityOperations, particularlywhileservingasa RegionalSPOCforMetLifeAsia.

Despitethedifficulties,shewas fortunatetoreceiveunwavering supportfromherManager,theCTOof MetLife,whopatientlyguidedherand remainedaconstantsourceofadvice evenaftershechangedcompanies.He hasbeenakintoamentorora cherishedconfidant,akintoher mother.

Herinnercircleincludesaselectfew closefriends,oneofwhomworksin thesamefield.Theyshareabondakin

tosiblings,offeringmutualsupport throughbothprofessionalandpersonal challenges.Thiscompanionshipis especiallyimportantinthemaledominatedITsecurityenvironment, wherecooperationcanbechallenging, particularlywhenworkingwithmale leadersorsubordinates.

Despiteencounteringinstancesof disrespect,particularlywhenassigning tasks,sheremainsresilient.Overtime, she’slearnedtonavigatethese dynamicsandassertherleadershipas theHeadoftheSecurityOperations Center,fosteringcollaborationwithin theteam.

Despitethechallengesofbeinga femaleleaderinamale-dominated field,Sharizaisgratefulforthe opportunitiesforgrowthandlearning. Shefirmlybelievesthatwith confidenceandself-trust,onecan overcomeanyobstacle.Aquoteby DwayneJohnsonresonatesdeeplywith her:‘Successisn’talwaysabout greatness.It’saboutconsistency Consistenthardworkleadstosuccess.’ Thisphilosophyhasbeenaguiding principlethroughoutherjourney.

JourneyandGrowthintheFieldof Cybersecurity

SharizabeganhercareerasaWintel Engineerin2011attheageof25.After fouryears,shetransitionedtotherole ofInfrastructureEngineer.Itwasn’t untilanotherfouryearshadpassedthat sheembarkedonanewcareerpathasa SecurityOperationsSpecialist–VulnerabilityManagementwith MetLifeAsia.

Inthisrole,sheservedastheirsingle pointofcontactandoversawthe managementof10countriestoensure theirvulnerabilityscoreremainedin thegreen.Collaboratingcloselywith CountrySecurityOperations,she

ensuredthehealthoftheirAPAC region’sSecurityOperationsandtools.

ThedecisiontotransitiontoSecurity Operationsstemmedfromherdesireto explorenewopportunities,with Securityemergingasapromising avenue.In2019,shesoughtadvice fromaseniorregardingacareerin Security,andtheirsupportproved invaluable.

HerpassionforSecurityflourished duringhertenureatMetLife, particularlyundertheguidanceofher previousmanager,ChanKwokSan, whoprovidedunwaveringsupportas shedeepenedherinvolvementinIT Security Withaspirationstobecomea ChiefInformationSecurityOfficer (CISO)inthefuture,herkeeninterest inCybersecuritycontinuedtogrow

Uponembarkingonanewjourneyata differentorganizationin2024asa SectionHeadofInformationSecurity, SecurityOperationsCenter,shedelved intoSOC(SecurityOperationsCenter) andtheentireCybersecurity frameworkunderthementorshipofher HeadofDepartment,StevenChan ChengHong.

LikeChanKwokSan,Steven mentoredherandassistedin overcomingchallenges.Whileshe maintainsindependenceinherrole,she occasionallyseeksadvicefromher managerforasecondopinionor guidanceonSecurityOperations matters.

Thistrajectoryhasshapedherintoa Cybersecurityexpert,andrecently,she transitionedintotheroleofSection HeadoftheITSecurityOperations Center.Shehasbeeninthisnewrole forfourmonths,andshelooksforward tocontributingherexpertiseand drivingexcellenceincybersecurity withintheorganization.

Shariza Umira Puteri firmly believes that collective effort is essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success in delivering projects. ,, ,,

EmbracingLeadershipand EmpathyinCybersecurity

Sharizapossessesastrongleadership character,thoughsheexhibitsa different,softer,andmoreloving personalityoutsideofficehours.One mightsayshehasadualnature, shiftinggearswhenshe’sworking versusduringherleisuretime.Asthe eldestsisterinherfamily,she’shadto bestrong,supportinghermother throughlife,especiallyconsidering theirmodestbackground.Hermother encouragedherindependence,urging hertotackledifficultiesandsolve problemsonherown,emphasizingthe importanceofwomen’sindependence.

Tosucceed,she’slearnedto differentiatebetweenrationaland emotionalthinking,recognizingthat womenoftengrapplewithheightened emotions.AsaCybersecurityHead, Sharizaprioritizesrationaldecisionmaking,consciouslysettingemotions asidetoensuresoundjudgments.This approachenableshertolead effectively,mentorcolleagues,and developtalent.

Herweaknessliesinthe unpredictabilityofheremotions. Colleaguesoftengaugehermoodfrom herexpressionstoavoidpotential issues.Whilethismayseemtrivial,it’s atraitsheacknowledgesandconsiders unique,asitmakesherharderto predictandlessordinary.

BornasaCancerWomanwith birthdaysinJulyandunderwatery signs,sheunderstandsthecomplexity ofemotionalwaves.Onlyspecial individualscomprehendandembrace thesetraits,recognizingthedepthof emotionsandtheinherentkindness within.

Despitethesechallenges,shebelieves hergenuineheartcaninspirekindness andunderstandinginthosearoundher Embracingbothherstrengthsand weaknesses,shestrivestoleadwith empathyandauthenticity.

DrivingSuccessthroughShared Workloads

Workingtogetherasateamand departmentmotivatesandempowers bothSharizaandherteamtoexcelin theirroles.IntherealmofSecurity Operationswithinthefinancial industry,collaborationwithkey stakeholdersfromvariousdepartments suchasInfrastructure,Security,Cloud, andApplicationsiscrucial.Security encompassestheentireinfrastructure andapplicationstoensurethe environmentremainssecureand customerdataissafeguardedfrom breaches.

Settingagoodexampleand demonstratingeffectiveleadershipby sharingworkloadstoensuresuccessful projectdeliveryiskeytoinspiringher teamandcolleaguestoachieve

success.Sheisfortunatetohave consistentlydemonstratedacademic excellencesinceherstudentdays,and thishascontinuedthroughouther13yeartenureasanemployeeinvarious organizations,whereshehas consistentlybeenrecognizedasatop performer.Herstrongacademic backgroundandexperienceworking withseveralgoodmanagersserveas motivationforherstaffandcolleagues astheycollaborate.

Inleadingtheteam,sheembodiesa dualnature,presentingherselfasan assertiveleaderduringworkhoursand adoptingasofterapproachduring leisuretime.Fromheracademicyears tohercurrentroleasHeadof InformationSecurity,sheconsistently motivatesherteamtoworktogether, guidedbytheprinciplesummarizedin thequotebyHenryFord:‘Ifeveryone ismovingforwardtogether,then successtakescareofitself.’Shariza firmlybelievesthatcollectiveeffortis essentialforovercomingobstaclesand achievingsuccessindelivering projects.

Sheencouragesherteamand colleaguestocontinuallyenhancetheir knowledge,explorenewopportunities, andconsideracareerpathinleadership andmanagementiftheyareinterested. Inherview,collaborationisessential inInfrastructureandCybersecurity,as teamworkisindispensablefor deliveringprojectseffectivelyand providingexcellentplatformsforusers andcustomerswhileensuringthe protectionoftheirdataintheir environments.

AcademicExcellencetoProfessional Success

BeingaCybersecurityHeadisthe greatestachievementshehasattained thusfar.Sheisimmenselygratefulto Godforguidinghercareerpathtothe

rightplaceandtime.Hergoalisto becomeaChiefInformationSecurity Officer(CISO),whichmotivatesherto continuallyenhanceherknowledgein theworkingenvironmentand cybersecurityfield.

Herjourneyofachievementsbeganat university,wheresheearnedDean’s ListHonorsforbothherdiplomaand bachelor’sdegreeincomputer engineering.Additionally,shewas honoredasoneoftherecipientsofthe MajlisAmanahRakyat(MARA) scholarshipduringherBachelorof ComputerEngineering(Hons)studies.

Sincegraduating,shehasreceived numerousaccoladesandrecognitions, withthepinnaclebeingherroleasa CybersecurityHead.Thefollowingisa listoftheawardsandrecognitionsshe hasreceivedfromtheuniversityuntil thepresent:

• InsightsSuccessBusiness Magazine-MostInfluential CybersecurityLeadertoFollow In2024

• PassionVista’sCollectors’ EditionMagazine–Achieversof AsiaandAfrica2024

• DigitalConfex–AwardofTop25 CybersecurityStaroftheYear 2023

• Manulife–Certificateof Appreciation2017

• CathayPacificAirways–CertificateofAppreciation2014

• Fonterra&EastHub–Certificate ofAppreciation2012

• UniversityKualaLumpur (MalaysianInstituteof InformationTechnology)-Majlis AmanahRakyat(MARA;Malay: People’sTrustCouncil) Scholarship(Dec2011)

• UniversityKualaLumpur (MalaysianInstituteof InformationTechnology)-Dean ListS1’2011

• UniversityKualaLumpur (MalaysianInstituteof InformationTechnology)-Dean ListS2’2007

• UniversityKualaLumpur(British MalaysianInstitute)-DeanList S2’2005

EmbodyingStrength

Shariza’sguidingprincipletowards growth,development,andsuccessis preciseinthequotebyMandyHale: ‘Strongwomendon’tplaythevictim. Theydon’tmakethemselveslook pitifulanddon’tpointfingers.They stand,andtheydeal.’

Firstly,itemphasizesthestrengthand resilienceinherentinwomen.Rather thansuccumbingtovictimhoodor portrayingthemselvesashelpless, strongwomenconfrontchallenges head-on.Theyrefusetodwellon misfortunesorseekpityfromothers. Instead,theyfaceadversitywith courageanddetermination,embodying resilienceinthefaceofobstacles.

Secondly,thequotehighlights accountabilityandself-reliance.Strong womendonotengageintheblame gameorpointfingersatothersfortheir circumstances.Instead,theytake ownershipoftheiractionsand decisions,acceptingbothsuccesses andfailures.Byembracing accountability,theyempower themselvestonavigatelife’schallenges withintegrityandgrace.

Finally,thequoteunderscoresthe importanceofactionanddecisiveness. Strongwomendonotmerelyendure hardships;theyactivelyconfrontand addressthem.Ratherthanwaitingfor circumstancestochangeorrelyingon externalassistance,theytakeinitiative andproactivelyseeksolutionsto overcomeobstacles.