Cecil Su provides a comprehensive perspective, from turning cybersecurity into a business enabler to sharing the latest research findings shaping the future of the industry.
In the dynamic realm of technology, excellence is more than just a benchmark; it’s a continuous pursuit that shapes the future. The role of technology is becoming increasingly important as companies deal with the complexities of cybersecurity. To gain insight into the evolving facets of outstanding technology, we speak to Cecil Su, a seasoned professional and Director of Cybersecurity at BDO LLP.
As head of BDO Advisory’s Cyber Security & DFIR unit, Su is on the front lines of protecting critical information assets. With a focus on cybersecurity research and security testing, Su’s expertise extends to a variety of advisory roles, adversarial security testing, and threat intelligence projects. His commitment to improving cybersecurity standards is reflected in his contributions to organizations such as the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP) and his role as Singapore’s cybersecurity expert.
Sue’s influence is not limited to the national stage. He left an indelible mark as a contributor to the OWASP Test Guide and as co-leader of his OWASP Singapore Chapter. His multifaceted approach to cybersecurity establishes him as a trusted advisor, driving clients beyond compliance and corporate initiatives to a robust cyber protection framework.
In this interview, Hsu shares his valuable perspective on the technology landscape and summarizes the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations that will define the future of cybersecurity. From the essential skills that future cybersecurity professionals must develop to the common vulnerabilities that organizations must address, Su delves into the complexities of the field.
As the threat landscape evolves, what do you think are the key skills and knowledge areas that future cybersecurity professionals should focus on?
Personally, I understand that data and applications are increasingly moving to cloud environments and believe cloud security skills should be a priority for future cybersecurity professionals. They must be skilled in threat intelligence and incident response to quickly identify and mitigate breaches. Knowledge of the regulatory environment and compliance standards is critical, as businesses must comply with various data protection laws.
Familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is equally important. These technologies are used to both strengthen security postures and develop advanced attack vectors. Cybersecurity professionals should also focus on developing strong analytical skills to continually evaluate and improve their security frameworks.
Finally, because cybersecurity is a cross-functional area that requires interaction with various departments within an organization, soft skills such as communication and collaboration are invaluable.
What are the most common vulnerabilities or weaknesses encountered during assessments? How can organizations proactively address these vulnerabilities and strengthen their overall security posture?
Some of the most common vulnerabilities encountered during some field assessments include weak authentication mechanisms, such as the use of default or simple passwords, and poor network segmentation (a low-hanging fruit if you think about it). included. Your system has been compromised. Outdated software and missing patches are also pervasive issues, leaving systems exposed to known exploits. Additionally, inadequate encryption poses significant risks, especially for data in transit and at rest.
On the other end of the spectrum of application security, deserialization problems occur when user input is not properly sanitized or validated before processing. Other field observations resulted in RCE (Remote Code Execution) attacks. This is a type of security vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target host.
Organizations can protect against these vulnerabilities by implementing strong password policies and multi-factor authentication, ensuring regular update and patch management processes, and segmenting networks to restrict access to sensitive systems. You can deal with it proactively. They should also enforce encryption standards for sensitive data and conduct regular security training for employees to recognize and mitigate social engineering attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify and remediate weaknesses before they can be exploited.
Cybersecurity is often seen as a cost center within an organization. How can cybersecurity leaders change this perception and make cybersecurity an enabler for business growth and digital transformation?
Cybersecurity leaders can change the perception of cybersecurity from a cost center to a business enabler by viewing it as a competitive advantage that can increase customer trust and drive secure digital transformation. You need to communicate how robust cybersecurity measures enable your organization to innovate with confidence and take advantage of new technologies. Demonstrating compliance with security standards can open the door to new markets and customer segments that prioritize data protection.
Additionally, leaders can highlight case studies where strong cybersecurity frameworks accelerated mergers and acquisitions and third-party risks by ensuring due diligence. It can also demonstrate the potential cost savings of avoiding breaches, which often far exceed investments in cybersecurity. Integrating cybersecurity strategy and business objectives, such as achieving secure cloud deployment and IoT integration, directly contributes to business agility and growth, further reinforcing its role as a fundamental aspect of modern business operations. It can be made strong.
What ethical considerations and challenges can we expect as AI and machine learning adoption increases in cybersecurity? And how should organizations address these issues while leveraging these technologies? mosquito?
As the adoption of AI and machine learning in cybersecurity increases, ethical considerations and challenges center on data privacy, bias, and accountability. To prevent the perpetuation of existing biases, it is important to ensure that AI systems are trained on diverse and unbiased datasets. Additionally, respecting user privacy is paramount when leveraging large datasets for machine learning models.
Organizations must also address the potential for over-reliance on AI and maintain human oversight to ensure accountability, especially in the event of a failure or breach. Transparency in AI operations and decision-making is essential to building trust among stakeholders.
Finally, clear guidelines and frameworks must be in place for the ethical use of AI in cybersecurity, and organizations must stay informed of evolving regulations and ethical standards in this dynamic field. is needed. Solving these issues requires a balanced approach that maximizes the benefits of AI technology while minimizing potential risks and ethical concerns.
You mentioned your involvement in cybersecurity research. What are the key insights and findings from recent research that could shape the future of cybersecurity practices and technologies?
As a cybersecurity enthusiast working in the field of cyber threat intelligence, key insights from recent research indicate that a multi-layered security approach is increasingly important. The findings suggest that threats are becoming more sophisticated, leveraging AI and machine learning to circumvent traditional security measures. Research highlights the importance of integrating proactive threat hunting and behavioral analysis to detect anomalies that indicate potential compromise.
Additionally, some studies highlight the growing need for collaboration between the private and public sectors to share threat intelligence. Quantum-resistant cryptography is also being developed as quantum computing poses future risks to current cryptographic standards. These insights point to a future where cybersecurity is adaptive, intelligence-driven, and collaborative, with a focus on new technologies to protect digital assets from evolving threats.
As a judge for the SBR Technology Excellence Awards, what criteria do you consider when evaluating the excellence of technology projects?
When assessing excellence in technology projects through award programs such as the Singapore Business Review (SBR) Technology Excellence Awards, criteria typically include:
- innovation: Evaluate how technology projects introduce new or significantly improved processes, products, or ideas.
- Impact: Consider the tangible benefits technology brings, such as improved performance, reduced costs, and increased revenue.
- Scalability: Assess whether technology can effectively scale or adapt to growth or changing demands.
- User experience: Consider how technology can improve the user experience, including ease of use, design, and accessibility.
- safety: Investigate how robust your technology’s security measures are and how they protect you from potential threats.
sustainability: Consider the environmental impact of this technology and how it promotes sustainable practices within the industry.
We hope that these criteria will help us judge not only the technical achievements of projects, but also their broader contributions to business and society.