What does being a BCS Fellow (and the recognition it provides) mean to you?

Becoming a BCS Fellow is deeply meaningful to me because it reflects peer recognition for work that often operates quietly behind the scenes. Security engineering is about trust, resilience and long term thinking. This Fellowship affirms that sustained technical leadership, ethical responsibility, and real world impact in cybersecurity and cloud systems truly matter at the highest professional level.

What advice would you give to future BCS Fellows?

Focus on lasting impact rather than short term recognition. Invest in foundational engineering, mentor others generously, and lead with integrity when trade offs are difficult. Fellowship is earned through consistent contribution, sound judgment, and service to the profession. When your work improves trust in technology and helps others grow, recognition naturally follows.

As a Fellow, what positive change have you helped to create?

I have helped transform security from a reactive function into an embedded engineering capability. This includes building automated and cryptographically sound systems that scale globally while reducing risk for engineers and customers. Equally important, I have mentored engineers across regions, helping develop leaders who view security as a shared and ethical responsibility.

Why are trusted professionals more important than ever?

Technology increasingly shapes identity, privacy, and safety. In this environment, competence alone is not enough. Trusted professionals bring ethical judgment, accountability, and inclusivity into system design and decision making. As digital systems gain influence, trust becomes foundational to public confidence and long term societal progress.

How can organisations ensure they have such individuals working for them?

Organisations must create cultures that value judgment and learning over fear. Leaders should allow room for thoughtful mistakes because growth without that freedom is impossible. Strong governance, ethical role modelling, and psychological safety enable engineers to think long term, challenge unsafe decisions, and take responsibility for outcomes rather than simply follow process.

What words of inspiration do you have for those considering a tech career?

Technology offers a rare opportunity to build systems that quietly protect and empower millions of people. Learn the fundamentals deeply, stay curious and hold yourself to a high ethical standard. The most fulfilling careers belong to those who combine technical excellence with humility, responsibility and a desire to serve others.

What does 'Making IT Good for Society' mean to you?

Making IT good for society means designing technology that earns trust. It is security that is reliable but invisible, privacy that is respected by default, and innovation that benefits people without creating hidden harm. When systems are built responsibly and at scale, they strengthen confidence in technology and the institutions that depend on it.