In this insightful interview, we delve into technology and cybersecurity with Ned Baltagi, the prestigious SANS Institute’s Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META).
With a career spanning innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial endeavours, Baltagi shares his journey from early technological aspirations to his current role at the forefront of cybersecurity education and implementation.
From his pioneering steps in Microsoft certification to founding successful startups across continents, Baltagi’s trajectory exemplifies a fusion of technical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit.
As the conversation progresses, Baltagi provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He discusses the accelerated digital transformation and its implications for cybersecurity, highlighting the imperative for organisations to adapt swiftly to new threats in an increasingly remote and interconnected world.
Baltagi explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on cybersecurity, noting its role in enhancing threat detection capabilities and fuelling more sophisticated cyberattacks. He underscores the importance of ongoing research and adaptation to counter the evolving landscape of AI-driven threats.
Looking ahead to 2024, Baltagi outlines key considerations for organizations navigating the cybersecurity landscape, emphasising the importance of agility, awareness, and comprehensive incident response planning. He identifies quantum computing, AI and machine learning, zero-trust architecture, supply chain security, and data protection compliance as the top cybersecurity trends.
Through Baltagi’s expertise and foresight, this interview provides invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing organisations in safeguarding their digital assets and navigating the complex cybersecurity landscape of the future.
Tell us how you got into the field of technology and cybersecurity. What has your journey been like?
A trajectory of innovation and leadership within technology and entrepreneurship has marked my career. I’ve always had an eye for emerging trends and a penchant for strategic thinking, and my fascination with computers, coding, and automation dates back to my childhood, long before these fields experienced the boom we see today.
These technologies inspired me, and very early on, I recognised their potential to improve livelihoods and enhance almost every aspect of business.
A pivotal moment in my career occurred in the early ’90s when I undertook the MCSE (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) exams, marking a turning point in my professional journey.
This was a new series of exams; I was among the first 100 people who took them. After graduation, I gained valuable experience working with several computer consulting firms. I joined Sprint Paranet, followed by Compaq Computer Corporation, a leading company in the sector, where I worked on several digital transition projects. Notably, Compaq was then acquired by HP. I then worked at KBR, which was previously a part of Halliburton.
I quickly rose through the ranks as my superiors noticed my knack for problem-solving and deep understanding of complex systems.
Gradually, I transitioned into roles that allowed me to merge my technical expertise with my entrepreneurial spirit.
Eventually, I founded and led several successful startups across diverse sectors, from fintech to machine learning and artificial intelligence. My career has taken me across three continents: the United States, the Middle East, and Africa.
Over the years, my dedication to advancing within the cybersecurity industry led me to the SANS Institute. Through my experience at SANS, I channelled my passion for technology into reskilling and upskilling efforts towards securing digital environments across enterprises, government authorities, military, and many other sectors in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, supporting Fortune 100 companies in various information security and cybersecurity projects.
How has cybersecurity as a space changed and transformed in a post-pandemic world?
The pandemic has significantly accelerated digital transformation, resulting in broader adoption of remote work, cloud services, and online transactions. These changes have expanded organisations’ attack surfaces, making cybersecurity more critical than ever.
There has been a shift towards zero-trust architectures, increased focus on securing end-user devices, and greater awareness and training to combat phishing and other social engineering attacks. The pandemic underscored the importance of cybersecurity resilience and the need for organizations to adapt quickly to new threats.
What has AI’s impact been in the cybersecurity space, and how can it help build better security systems?
AI has been a double-edged sword in cybersecurity. On the one hand, it has enabled more sophisticated and automated threat detection, analysis, and response systems. AI can help identify patterns and anomalies that might indicate a security breach, enhancing the ability to address threats preemptively.
At the same time, adversaries leverage AI to mount more complex and adaptive attacks. So, while AI can significantly improve security postures, it also necessitates ongoing research, training, and adaptation to counter AI-driven threats.
What should organisations keep in mind in 2024 while looking at cybersecurity?
Organisations should always prioritise building a robust cybersecurity posture that is agile and adaptable to emerging threats. In 2024, this includes investing in cybersecurity awareness and training, adopting a zero-trust approach, ensuring proper security configurations in cloud services, and maintaining comprehensive incident response plans.
Emphasizing the security of supply chains and third-party vendors will also be crucial, as these can be weak links in an organisation’s security.
What are the top five trends in the cybersecurity space currently?
Quantum computing presents both opportunities and challenges for cybersecurity. Quantum computers have the potential to break current encryption methods, rendering traditional security mechanisms obsolete. On the other hand, quantum encryption technologies, such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), promise unprecedented security that conventional or quantum computing attacks cannot undermine.
We are also seeing an increase in AI and Machine Learning use for threat detection and automated security responses. Organisations are investing in zero-trust architecture, moving away from traditional perimeter-based security.
There has also been more focus on securing the supply chain and managing third-party risks.
Lastly, with more stringent data protection laws globally, organisations will no doubt need to emphasise compliance and privacy more.
