In a recent episode of CXO Talk hosted by Kalpana Singhal, Jenny Tan joined as the guest. With a highly experienced background in internal audit, IT audit, advisory, business resilience, and risk management, Jenny Tan is a valuable resource for discussions on cybersecurity, business resilience, and risk management. As a professor at Singapore Management University and the president of the ISACA Singapore chapter, Jenny’s achievements and contributions have been widely recognized. She has received several awards for her expertise in cybersecurity. During the episode, Jenny shared her journey and expertise in cybersecurity, highlighting her transition from a software engineer to the field of cybersecurity. She emphasized the expansion of cybersecurity beyond basic network security, with a focus on digital and operational technology. She stressed the complexity and challenges organizations face in managing cybersecurity in today’s interconnected world.
Jenny also discussed emerging threats that organizations should be vigilant about and measures they can take to enhance cybersecurity and business resilience. She emphasized the importance of assessing user roles and readiness to adopt emerging technologies, as a significant number of cybersecurity breaches are caused by users themselves. Continuous training and awareness programs are crucial to developing a risk culture and ensuring users understand the risks associated with new technology tools.
Addressing the global concern of the shortage of cybersecurity talent, Jenny recommended two approaches: training existing workforce to appreciate and understand risk, and collaborating with educational institutes to convert non-tech professionals into tech roles. By bridging the skills gap, organizations can nurture the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
The discussion also touched on navigating the complex landscape of data privacy and compliance with evolving regulations. Jenny highlighted the importance of understanding an organization’s information security landscape, training employees, and deploying auditors to ensure compliance. Collaboration among all stakeholders is key to upholding data privacy and information security standards.
Jenny suggested conducting workshops that involve scenarios and experiential learning to help non-technical employees understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting sensitive information. These efforts should be continuous and require the commitment of both individuals and the organization for effective change management.
Regarding the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain on cybersecurity strategies, Jenny emphasized the need to assess risks and understand how these technologies support the overall cybersecurity strategy. Identifying specific risks and considering simpler tools or manual processes before deploying advanced technologies is crucial.
As the President of the ISACA Singapore chapter, Jenny has introduced initiatives to address the shortage of cybersecurity talent, including conversion programs for non-tech individuals and organizing webinars, events, and workshops on emerging technologies and standards.
In balancing her various roles and responsibilities, Jenny highlighted the importance of time management and having a passion for what she does. She leverages her roles together, finding commonalities and interrelationships among them to achieve multiple objectives simultaneously.
Overall, Jenny Tan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of cybersecurity, business resilience, and risk management. Her experiences, achievements, and initiatives contribute to the advancement of these fields, and she was a valuable guest on the CXO Talk show at CXO TV.
