Garry Sidaway

CRN staff
21 November 2016

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Senior vice president, security strategy & alliances, NTT Security

What is your greatest career move to date?

It's a difficult one, as I have always looked for new challenges and environments, but clearly the move into information security as it has led me into diverse and continually challenging roles.

What is top of your bucket list?

I still need to learn the clarinet, jump off a cliff (paraglide) and visit Machu Picchu.

What has changed most since you started working in the channel?

There has been increased demand for complete services with enabling technologies. This is because bolted-on security isn't effective and providers are finding themselves unable to compete without a broad and deep understanding of the business challenges as well as the technologies. How do you think Brexit is going to affect the channel? We are a global organisation and deliver services across Europe so it will have very little effect on our business.

What is your least favourite task during the working day?

Like most people, I don't enjoy dealing with the increasing amounts of email... and let's not forget it's also the number one vector for malware.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

A cat, as they have an easy life and take no nonsense. If you won the big one on EuroMillions, what would you do? Ensure my family were secure and learn the clarinet.

What is your worst habit?

Not listening enough.

How has 2016 been for you?

It has seen another significant shift in the cybersecurity market with the formation of NTT Security, which brings together NTT's advanced analytics technologies, threat intelligence and security experts. For me, it is another great challenge to take the opportunity of embedding security into everything we do.

If you didn't work in the IT channel, what would be your dream career?

A groundsman or park keeper, as I have always wanted to work outside.

What major issues will the channel face in 2017?

The requirement to provide a full security lifecycle suite will be essential. Organisations are now focused on implementing complete services, which the channel needs to fulfil. This means service providers need to be able to build high-performing and effective security and risk/compliance programs and controls that address the needs of the business.