Top 10 Cybersecurity Leaders in APAC
In the dynamic landscape of Asia-Pacific's cybersecurity sector, a cadre of exceptional leaders is steering organisations through treacherous digital waters. These visionaries are not merely reacting to current threats but are actively shaping the future of digital defence in a region that faces unique challenges, from diverse regulatory environments to rapidly advancing technological adoption.
From the bustling tech hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong to the emerging powerhouses of India and Southeast Asia, these cybersecurity leaders are crafting innovative strategies that blend cutting-edge technology with nuanced understanding of local business cultures. They are at the forefront of implementing AI-driven security solutions, fostering resilient organisational cultures, and navigating the complex interplay between data protection and digital transformation.
As APAC continues to be a hotbed for cyber threats and a prime target for sophisticated attacks, these leaders are not just guardians of their organisations but are influential voices in regional cybersecurity discourse. Cyber Magazine therefore takes a closer look at these trailblazers, their insights, achievements, and visions for the future of cybersecurity.
10. Christoph Strizik
Role: CISO at Origin Energy
Location: Australia
Christoph Strizik, CISO, Origin Energy Based in Australia, Christoph is known for transforming security and technology capabilities in large organisations by building business-aligned high-performance teams. His experience spans many sectors such as top tier technology, financial services, energy, consulting organisations, and wide geographic coverage across APAC.
Christoph currently works as CISO for Origin Energy, where he has built an award-winning, diverse, inclusive and highly engaged cybersecurity team. He believes that digitisation and moving to the cloud represents an opportunity for businesses to uplift security and safety culture through new insights.
9. Naveen Chanthiran
Role: Head of Cyber Security APAC Air Liquide
Location: Malaysia
Naveen Chanthiran is a seasoned cybersecurity professional currently serving as the Head of Cyber Security for the APAC region at Air Liquide, based in Malaysia. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Naveen directs the cyber security strategy and operations across the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring alignment with global standards and policies.
Naveen manages a team of cyber security experts who deploy and operate security services whilst effectively communicating with the board of directors and executive leadership on critical security matters. His responsibilities include implementing application security risk assessment frameworks, establishing standardised VAPT services, and coordinating incident management efforts with the Group CSIRT.
8. Jason Lau
Role: CISO, Crypto.com
Location: Singapore
With more than 23 years of consulting experience for Fortune 200 companies, Jason has worked across management consulting, cybersecurity, data privacy, risk, compliance and IT governance. His work at Crypto.com as CISO currently sees him managing global cybersecurity and data privacy strategy within the company, helping it to execute new ways to ensure data protection.
Prior to joining Crypto.com, Jason also worked as a cybersecurity expert for organisations such as the World Economic Forum, ISACA and FS-ISAC.
7. Salvador Guarino Jr
Role: CISO, PwC Philippines
Location: Philippines
Based in the Philippines, Salvador is a certified CISO with a history of working in information security, cybersecurity, vulnerability assessment and pen testing. Having worked at PwC in the Philippines for nearly 10 years, Salvador's goal is to protect and enhance the value of the company's information assets and reputation.
In addition, he works to empower and educate PwC Philippines clients, staff and stakeholders on the latest trends and best practices in cybersecurity and information security.
6. Irene Chong Suan Lian
Role: Head of Cybersecurity Controls and Governance at PETRONAS
Location: Malaysia
Irene currently leads Cyber Security Controls and Governance at PETRONAS, Malaysia's national oil and gas company and a Fortune Global 500 company. Before that, she built and ran the Digital Workplace global ICT operations for FrieslandCampina, a top European FMCG at its Malaysia Shared Services Centre. Irene is an established and versatile senior leader with broad technology knowledge and hands-on enterprise IT strategy and global delivery experience.
Her 20+ years of progressive leadership and IT responsibilities include building teams and global IT capabilities, setting strategic directions, developing IT skills and competence frameworks, managing projects and transforming critical business IT services. She completed an international assignment with the Shell Group CIO Office in Enterprise IT Strategy and Planning. Irene has also led successful organisational change management in Shell IT focussing on people transitions and business continuity.
5. Surrey Mui
Role: Chief Information Security Officer APAC UBS
Location: Hong Kong
Surrey Mui is Chief Information Security Officer APAC UBS, having recently moved there from her long-held position at Credit Suisse, which she held since 2018. Having worked as cybersecurity for a number of financial institutions, Surrey's priorities include security for all aspects of information and data, chatbots, identity controls and who can access information and how.
In addition, Surrey oversees risk assessments and ensures that the company stays on top of ever-changing regulations, as well as protecting the business from cyber threats - both internal and external.
4. Stephanie Liew
Role: CISO, BAT
Location: Malaysia
Currently serving as CISO at BAT, Stephanie Liew is driven by her passion for cultivating high-performance teams and injecting energy into any environment she enters. With over 23 years of experience providing security leadership and guidance to executive management teams, she excels at aligning business objectives with security requirements to ensure successful operations.
Stephanie was recently honoured as one of the winners of the CSO30 ASEAN Awards 2023, recognizing her as one of the top cybersecurity leaders in the region.
3. Andre Shori
Role: CISO, Schneider Electric
Location: Singapore
Having held the position of CISO for Schneider Electric in Singapore since 2019, Andre Shori is responsible for overseeing the company's IT and OT cybersecurity program for one of the world's largest multinational manufacturers of energy management and distribution products and services across the APAC region.
His career spans three decades, beginning as a tech support engineer before transitioning to network engineering, where he developed a keen interest in cybersecurity. Since then, Andre has been an integral part of various global security teams across a diverse range of industries, including transportation, non-profits, technology, and manufacturing.
2. Ram Prasad
Role: CISO, Thales
Location: India
With more than two decades of experience in cybersecurity, Ram Prasad. K serves as CISO for Thales' division in India. Leveraging his extensive knowledge of industry best practices and emerging threats, he works diligently to reinforce the company's end-to-end organizational security objectives, taking into account security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
He also focuses on designing and implementing robust cybersecurity strategies to safeguard critical assets and mitigate risks within the business. At Thales, he proposes security enhancements, conducts assessments, and helps identify vulnerabilities or gaps to bolster overall infrastructure security.
1. Lucius Lobo
Role: CISO, Tech Mahindra
Location: India
Having dedicated over 25 years to Tech Mahindra, Lucius Lobo is entrusted with overseeing the company's information and cybersecurity, business continuity, and data protection in his role as CISO. He played a pivotal role in co-founding the cybersecurity practice at the company, which has since become the fifth-largest Indian IT and ITES services provider.
Tech Mahindra's cybersecurity portfolio encompasses advisory services, system integration, security assurance, and managed services for businesses and governments worldwide. Lobo's primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of the business from both internal and external cyber threats, while also guaranteeing that all services are free from defects. Furthermore, as the business transitions from a services-based model to a digital one, he assists in embedding information security controls within the company's platforms and intellectual property.
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