For the last few weeks, I’ve been vigorously wrestling with the changing nature of IT and the role of the CIO. I seriously believe IT is in some sort of mid-life crisis. Or possibly, it’s just about to grow up and get some long trousers.
We conducted a Q&A interview with Prasoon, Vice President at Société Générale Global Solution Centre, around digital transformation, and the future including blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
About Prasoon...
We conducted a Q&A interview with Deepthi, Head of Technology Upskilling and Communication (Corporate and Investment Banking Technology) at Société Générale, around digital transformation, automation, and the potential future for technology.
Could you introduce yourself and what you do?
My name is Deepthi Rajan. I have over a decade of experience in the technology and financial services space. I’m the Head of Technology Upskilling at Société Générale, an inspiring role I took up early this year.
Over the past 15 years of working in the cybersecurity industry I have been privileged to have worked with highly intelligent, experienced and articulate colleagues. My experiences in large scale transformation programmes, workshops, interviews, managing both project and operational teams encompass consulting and internal business roles. These experiences led to interactions with hundreds of individuals where I have become aware of some consistent and humorous behaviour types displayed. These include eight positive and negative types including:
I didn’t think it would happen to me.
I’ve had a really interesting journey this past few months. I’m fortunate to be ‘in demand’ and to take my work to wherever it finds me. Interesting projects are not in short supply and my network brings me into collaboration with great teams. Yet I can’t help but notice some uncomfortable trends in the sector and a couple of recent experiences have also inspired me to write this. I’ve seen ageism for the first time and it’s truly shocked me.
"Many CISOs live day to day under the sword of Damocles”
A controversial quote to begin with, I admit. However, in the past few years, data breaches have become more prominent, impacting businesses, governments, healthcare, and even hairdressers! There is no let-up in sight and business leaders must pay attention to the cyber risks they face.
People simply trust other people
This excellent November piece from McKinsey on cyber security deserves a comment (“A Framework for Improving Cybersecurity discussions within Organizations” – Jason Choi / Harrison Lung / James Kaplan).
Digital evolution is an ongoing journey for every business.
Gone are the days of saying that you have ‘done’ digital after a major technology overhaul. Instead, it is an evolution to transition and optimise your business continually. Even digitally native companies know that they have to innovate and stay ahead of the game because of growing disruption and rapid technological change.
At the end of a keynote speech I gave at the excellent CIOWaterCooler LIVE! Event in London on 28th September 2017 on security organisation, governance and creating the dynamics for change around cyber security, I was asked a challenging question on which I would like to elaborate:
#WomenInTech #Diversity #TalentManagement