As a tech leader, a cybersecurity practitioner, or someone who’s simply invested in the health and wellbeing of our planet, you know that cybersecurity, DEI, and sustainability are important topics. But what does each one mean for us in business right now? This was a question I asked three leaders with expertise in cybersecurity, people management, and sustainability when I visited Cisco Live in Amsterdam last week.
Cybersecurity
The speed of technology disruption is happening faster than anyone thought possible. As a result, when it comes to cybersecurity, organisations are seeing massive investments in cyber resilience. This move is welcomed. As business and home boundaries blur and work patterns change, security threats continue to challenge even the most astute of leaders. To adequately protect against a constantly expanding and evolving attack surface, organisations are having to prioritise security across all facets – financial, operational, supply chain and organisational, and ensure they’ve adopted a Zero Trust approach.
They’re not only seeking functionality, technology that can be integrated and scaled up and down to accommodate demand, but they also want improved visibility to the entire threat chain, and simplicity. Today, leaders tasked with securing their organisations need to be able to detect, observe and take the necessary action in order to fill any gaps. Detecting an intrusion must happen at speed, ideally within a minute. Every element of their network must be visible for teams to investigate, orchestrate and automate detection and response solutions, enabling them to access the full value of their cybersecurity investment, while optimising how users, devices, networks, and cloud applications are protected.
For any organisation to be effective, cybersecurity is essential, for if we can’t operate securely, we won’t experience inclusive growth and fewer opportunities to make positive changes for the benefit of society.
Listen to Emma Carpenter, VP Cisco Security. Learn what she’s seeing in cybersecurity, Cisco’s security positioning, and what she thinks about getting more women into security.
DEI
Creating a workplace that’s respectful and supportive of all people is essential for any organisations success. By taking meaningful steps to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, organisations can benefit from having a variety of perspectives among employees in order to make informed decisions and be innovative.
Furthermore, research has shown that fostering an environment where everyone feels appreciated and accepted leads to greater employee satisfaction, which contributes to higher productivity and innovation, ultimately resulting in increased profits.
- In the Forrester Wave, the highest performing companies are the ones that have tied DEI outcomes to their profits.
- The Stanford Graduate School found that greater gender diversity raises tech company share prices.
- The most gender diverse enterprises globally achieve 73% better decision making and a 25% revenue uplift.
- When cultures are most equal, companies are 6 times more innovative than the least equal ones.
Organisations must identify ways in which they can promote diversity and equity through hiring practices, educational workshops on implicit bias and intercultural communication, as well as creating an open dialogue amongst colleagues about their diverse backgrounds and developing new talent. A commitment to these principles not only leads to positive growth of the business, but more importantly creates a culture where everyone is valued regardless of any differences.
Listen to my interview with Kelly Jones, Cisco’s Chief People Officer. Learn about Cisco’s unique ‘Conscious Culture’ and their 10-year commitment to digital and cybersecurity skills development in the EMEA region through the Cisco Networking Academy education program and a partnership with Randstad.
Sustainability
Companies are increasingly choosing to adopt sustainability initiatives in the workplace and invest in the circular economy, recognising that reducing energy and resource use can both reduce their carbon footprint, get them closer to net zero, and save them money. Through best practices such as replacing paper products with digital solutions, using energy-efficient technologies, installing solar panels to power office equipment and operations, designing smart workplaces, and offering refurbishing, reusing, and recycling programs, organisations can significantly decrease their environmental impact.
Not only does this create a positive image for the organisation, but it also encourages employees to lead more sustainable lives outside of work which can in turn benefit communities and the planet overall. Proactive initiatives like these demonstrate a company’s commitment to sustainability, helping them gain a competitive edge while upholding their moral responsibility of protecting the environment.
Listen to my interview with Connor Hill, Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategist and CEO of Inspire Circular.
Now I want to hear from you…
- Tell me what insights you have for cybersecurity, DEI, and sustainability. Please add to the conversation so we can help more people.
- If you want to work with me and find out more about the work I do as an “infuencer” for brands like Cisco, book a discovery call to find out more.
