Q: Are you where you’ve always wanted to be?
A: Prior to 2013 I spent the last five years working at the forefront of the cyber security industry for NASA [the National Aeronautics and Space Administration] as a senior cyber security consultant where I was responsible for the development of an ICT security programme for a multibillion-dollar space programme.
During the last year of that assignment I developed a professional desire to return to Barbados to play a significant role in helping Barbados’ public and private sectors navigate the technical, management and operations challenges related to effective cyber security, knowing that the Caribbean region has been targeted by international cybercrime organisations.
As a result, in 2013 I co-founded the Barbados-based “Caribbean Cyber Security Centre” with Mr Deon Olton, which represents where I believe my true professional calling is in spite of the fact that many of my NASA colleagues thought I was crazy for leaving the stability of NASA for the unknowns of starting a business in Barbados. While we have had some challenges in navigating Barbados’ business landscape, I wake up each day with a smile on my face as I am exactly where I want to be, with no looking back.
Q: What is your biggest professional challenge?
A: I believe that personal and professional challenges are a part of life that can often serve to make us better and stronger people. My current professional challenge in Barbados is knowing 100 per cent hands down that if we as a nation do not start to pay the appropriate attention to the growing cyber threat we face, many Barbados public and private sector organizations and families will become victims of cyber criminals, hackers and online predators.
Raising the overall level of cyber security awareness in Barbados is my biggest challenge currently as CEO of the Caribbean Cyber Security Centre which I am committed to overcoming, as I refuse to believe the we have to become victims before we act.
Q: What is your biggest life challenge?
A: Saying “no” to people who genuinely need my help; if I can help, I help.
Q: When you look to the future, what do you see?
A: When I look to the future I see the Caribbean Cyber Security Centre playing a very significant role in not only helping to protect Barbados’ public and private sector organizations from cyber criminals and hackers but also helping to protect our most valuable asset – Caribbean Children – from online sexual predators, of which they are more than a million known internationally.
Q: What is your favourite pastime?
A: Discovering and exploring new beautiful beaches, coves and bays and seeing the off-road side of Barbados.
Q: What is your favourite meal?
A: Pudding and souse.
Q: On Saturday nights where are you likely to be?
A: Socialising with close friends as part of my “work hard, play hard” philosophy.
Q: What upsets you the most?
A: Selfish people.
Q: What is your guiding philosophy?
A: The only real failure in life is not trying. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges and risks. You never know what good will come from focused efforts, but you do know what will come from not trying, which is nothing.
Q: If you had the chance to manage Barbados for a day, what would you do?
A: I would do two things: one, require all Barbados Government networks to be tested for system security weaknesses and vulnerabilities immediately and hire local best-of-breed ICT firms to fix all identified issues; notice I said “local”. And two, make annual cyber security awareness training mandatory in all Barbados primary and secondary public and private schools.