STEWART HOGG Associate Director for Cyber at Waterstons
He has recently been named a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec) and we caught up to talk tech and digital…
Did you always envisage a career in the world of technology?
I was passionate about science but after getting my Astrophysics degree I knew I wanted to use the technical and problem-solving skills I’d gained in the real world. I fell in love with Durham (my university city) so decided that the North East was to be called home and I found Waterstons.
What attracted you to your current role?
I’ve always been passionate about the values of our company, especially our commitment to trust and empower the team. In my current role I’ve been able to create and grow a business within a business, developing our cyber offering from the ground up. Harnessing the innovations and entrepreneurial flair of staff can lead to great results which has been proven with a number of exciting new services and locations launch in my time at Waterstons.
How important was technology during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Organisations would have been totally stuck if something similar had happened a decade earlier, however with the use of cloud services and the scalability of modern technical systems the vast majority of organisations were able to continue to operate to a large degree. It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention, and a lot of our clients comment that as a result they saw three years of progress in three months. That wouldn’t have been possible without technology!
What tips would you give to someone looking to work in the industry?
Always keep learning – both the technical and cyber landscapes evolve at a rate of knots so there’s always new ways to solve business problems. The key is to maintain a thirst for knowledge and collaborate with others in the industry to gain real world experience.
Tell us the most exciting thing you’re currently working on
We’re working with a number of clients to design and execute their cyber security strategy which involves involve investment in people, processes and technology for some of the most critical organisations in the UK. It’s exciting to be able to play our part in ensuring clients can operate without interruption from a cyberattack and harness the latest technical innovations to safeguard their critical systems.
What’s your fondest memory of a career in the industry?
I’ve recently been recognised as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information Security and also work collaboratively with the National Cyber Security Centre as a Head Consultant. It’s a great feeling to have your expertise recognised by some of the industry’s most prestigious bodies and has presented a great opportunity to learn from other specialists across a range of sectors.
What are your remaining career aspirations?
Building on the success of our UK cyber security skills and the opening of our Australian office a few years ago, we now have a great platform to export our cyber services globally. This is an exciting prospect and when we go global, we can deliver value to clients on a much greater scale.
What piece of technology would you be lost without?
Noise cancelling headphones – while remote has its advantages and means I can spend more time with family, these definitely help me get stuff done while chaos reigns elsewhere! Within my role; endpoint detection and response technologies. This innovation uses behavioural monitoring and AI to stop suspicious activity in its tracks and has been a critical defence tool in the fight against ransomware. Absolutely a must-have for all organisations to ensure they can protect themselves from the bad guys.
Who are your heroes and mentors?
Prof Brian Cox – while he’s not a technologist per se, he does an excellent job of making physics and astronomy concepts accessible for all, and demystifies complex topics without losing the wonder and meaning he’s aiming to convey. This is exactly what we try to do with our clients as we communicate the importance of technology and cyber innovations to business leaders across a range of industries.
When not working, how do you like to relax?
I’m a big fan of escape rooms which involve solving a series of puzzles in a race against the clock. 55 escape rooms and counting so far. When I’m not doing that, I enjoy spending time with our three boys and making good use of our National Trust membership.
