Dr. Rois Ni Thuama on Her Career Path in Cyber Governance

Early Career Aspirations

• 💡 Dr. Rois Ni Thuama's earliest career ambition was to be a police officer or detective.
• 🧠 She was fascinated by the power of reading from a young age, understanding that written words could convey ideas across time and space.

A Circuitous Route to Cyber Governance

• 🌍 Ni Thuama paused her studies at Trinity College to experience history unfolding in South Africa during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• 🎬 While in South Africa, she unexpectedly found herself creating music videos and wildlife documentaries.
• 🚀 Upon returning to London, she entered the tech industry at a music technology startup, Shazam, which became her entry into governance and risk management.
• 🤝 Interestingly, many of her former colleagues from Shazam are now with her at her current company, highlighting a full-circle career path.

Enthusiasm for Startups and Governance

• ✨ The culture at Shazam, though not explicitly termed 'corporate governance,' embodied principles like accountability, responsibility, and transparency, which deeply resonated with her.
• 🎯 She developed a strong enthusiasm for startups, recognizing their potential value to businesses, stakeholders, and society.

Transition to Cyber Governance

• 🎓 After pursuing her Masters and PhD in governance, the financial crisis prompted a shift towards cyber governance.
• ⚠️ She identified cyber as a significant and growing corporate risk that required a more holistic, non-technical approach.
• 🧑‍💼 Ni Thuama emphasizes the need for a multi-disciplinary approach in cyber governance, where various roles (legal, technical, HR, operations) contribute with a foundational understanding.

The Future of Cyber Security and Career Advice

• 📈 The perception of cybersecurity is undergoing a paradigmatic shift, driven by new legislation requiring boards to engage more deeply with operational resilience.
• 🌐 There is a projected deficit of 3.5 million personnel in the cybersecurity sector by 2022, indicating significant career opportunities.
• 🎓 For aspiring professionals, especially those with a law degree, Ni Thuama recommends learning coding, risk management, and privacy legislation before entering the field, advising them to "just get into the game."