In cybersecurity, technology is crucial, but people make the real difference.
How do you build a culture of trust, learning, and responsibility within your team?
Technology is the foundation, but people are the true differentiator in cybersecurity. At Conscia SOC, we invest heavily in creating an environment where experts feel empowered to shape the defence strategies, not just react to incidents. Our analysts co-create playbooks, processes, and procedures, ensuring they are practical and effective. This involvement fosters ownership and accountability, turning routine tasks into meaningful contributions to cyber-resilience. We emphasise continuous learning through simulations, threat modelling, and collaborative reviews, so that every team member grows as threats evolve. Ultimately, trust comes from transparency and shared responsibility. Everyone knows their role in protecting our customers’ core business.
How does the Conscia SOC team contribute to the concept of ‘cybersecurity as a common good’ – perhaps through sharing best practices, participating in threat intelligence networks, or advising on industry standards?
We see cybersecurity as a shared responsibility that transcends organisational boundaries. Conscia SOC actively participates in global threat intelligence networks and shares best practices across industries. Our presence in multiple geographies and sectors gives us a unique vantage point to identify patterns and emerging risks. By feeding this knowledge back into our partner ecosystem, we help organisations that might otherwise lack advanced capabilities to strengthen their defences. This collaborative approach ensures that lessons learned from one environment benefit many, creating a ripple effect of resilience. In short, we don’t just protect our 80+ customers, we contribute to raising the security posture of the entire community.

As cyber threats evolve, the need for digital literacy becomes a matter of public resilience, not just corporate security. In your view, what should governments do to ensure that every citizen — from students to older generations — understands the basics of cybersecurity? Should digital and AI literacy be treated as a mandatory part of education?
Cybersecurity awareness must start early and span all generations. Governments should embed digital and AI literacy into mandatory education, just like math or language skills. Academic institutions have made progress by introducing cybersecurity programs and encouraging internships, but more systemic action is needed. Without this, we risk a talent gap and even brain drain, as young professionals seek opportunities abroad. By integrating practical cybersecurity and automation concepts into curricula, we prepare citizens to recognise risks and act responsibly online.
This isn’t just about creating future professionals; it’s about building a society that understands and values digital safety.
As AI becomes used both in security operations and for day-to-day tasks (like writing or content generation), what misconceptions or risks do you believe organizations underestimate the most?
AI is a powerful ally in cybersecurity, capable of processing vast datasets and spotting anomalies faster than any human. However, many organisations underestimate the need for human oversight. AI-generated verdicts can accelerate detection, but interpreting adversary motives, tactics, and context still requires human judgment. Blind trust in automation can lead to false positives or missed nuances, especially when fighting against sophisticated and unknown cyber-attack paths. The key is synergy: leveraging AI for scale and speed while relying on human expertise for strategic decisions. Organisations that fail to strike this balance risk both operational inefficiency and security blind spots.

In a world where digital and human skills must work hand in hand, what knowledge or mindset will define the most competent and future-ready professionals?
The most competent professionals will combine technical depth with adaptability and curiosity. Cybersecurity is no longer just about knowing tools. It’s about understanding business impact, risk management, and emerging technologies like AI. A growth mindset is critical: threats evolve daily, so continuous learning must be part of the DNA. Collaboration skills will matter as much as technical ones because defending against global threats requires teamwork across borders and disciplines. Finally, ethical awareness and resilience under pressure will define leaders who can navigate crises calmly and responsibly. In short, future-ready experts are those who learn fast, think broadly, and act decisively.
The interview was originally published in AmCham’s Dialogue.

