Are you a Strategist?

Posted on 1st May 2020

Every organisation wants to improve the way it works and make best use of new technology. Today, that means use of digitisation, automation and artificial intelligence to harness efficiencies and new routes to users. All of this needs to be done in a way that protects individuals’ data and builds security into both the systems and the mindset. Companies looking for strategists are seeking dynamic and compelling individuals who can help clients understand the potential benefits of trusted digitisation enabled by digital trust and good cyber security.

Links with CyberEPQ Modules

7. Information Security Incident Management
8. Operational Information Security Management and Security Architecture
10. Introduction to Audit Compliance and Assurance, Cyber Essentials and GDPR Risk Assessment Management
11. Risk Assessment and Management and Information Security Governance and Management

What does a Strategist do?

Strategists understand how to help clients develop and put into action a strategy that enables them to build the business they need for the future and make sure that it is secure by design.

Being part of the strategist team will mean that you will develop yourself in technology and digital strategy and decision support and build the company’s ability to solve clients most complex business strategy challenges in the digital age.

This tends to be a senior level position and may involve directing and approving the design of security systems whilst ensuring that disaster recovery and business continuity plans are in place and tested. They will need to review and approve security policies, controls and cyber incident response planning and approve identity and access policies. Furthermore they will review investigations after breaches or incidents, including impact analysis and recommendations for avoiding similar vulnerabilities. To do this the strategist will need to maintain a current understanding of the IT threat landscape for the industry.

Strategists must also ensure compliance with the changing laws and applicable regulations and be able to translate that knowledge to identification of risks and actionable plans to protect the business. Strategists will also schedule periodic security audits; oversee identity and access management and make sure that cyber security policies and procedures are communicated to all personnel and that compliance is enforced.

Sarah Jayne van Greune, Chief Data Officer at Payen

What are companies looking for?

The ability to work with clients, helping them to structure their thinking in order to identify key requirements, challenges, opportunities and aspirations for the organisation including business analysis, requirements capture, running workshops, critical thinking.
Ability to construct numerate arguments that support trade-off decisions.
Self-starting and curious about clients’ challenges and the potential new technology offers to help them address these.
Genuine interest in new technology, digitisation and cyber security and how it can help organisations achieve their goals.
Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
Trusted and respected team player with the ability to work in and contribute to a highly effective team that delivers client outcomes and develops the team and individuals.