Furgus Fitzwater

What is your role at Telarus?

I'm a Security Analyst. I manage the security initiatives for Telarus, from security policy design and implementation to the development of security products and service initiatives. Telarus already has a strong reputation in the field of technology and my role is to build on that.

What are your key responsibilities?

I am responsible for Telarus corporate security, production network security and the development of security related service offerings. Across each of these responsibilities, I always maintain a key focus on sound policy and best practice. Security is the number one concern for IT Managers and CIOs throughout Australia, and the main challenge for me is to develop products and services that directly support our customers. Security and risk mitigation are critical in business and decisions have to be made as to how best to protect your assets. My responsibility is to make those decisions easier for our customers by developing attractive solutions to potentially ugly problems.

How long have you been in the ICT industry?

It's getting on for 17 years. I spent many years in the airline business before working my way across to telecoms: two very different businesses that have in common two significant issues; security and communications.

What areas/technologies do you specialize in?

I am a security specialist. Technology is evolving rapidly and keeping abreast of these changes and how to protect against the risks that they bring with them is a constant challenge. I am particularly interested in wireless security which is starting to mature to the point where wireless is a viable alternative to a wired network. I also have qualifications in cryptography; a fascinating area, once you get your head around the mathematics.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Working in foreign places: it's interesting to work in a different culture and adjust to a different approach to life.

What challenges have you faced in your career (and how did you overcome them)?

Working with new technologies and making sure they are secure is a constant challenge. Never succumb to the impulse to believe what it says on the box; always take a step back and plan your approach – that’s the only way to avoid leaving the door wide open to hackers.

Which technology is going to have the biggest impact on the industry in the next 5 years?

Any technology that can keep cyber criminals at bay will be a winner.  Nowadays it's not likely to be a spotty teenager hacking your systems for fun; it will be organised criminals seeking financial profit. The amount of money to be made is huge, while the risks of being caught remain relatively low when compared with other forms of crime.