Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

Profiles in Leadership: Nikhil Chawla

Nikhil Chawla of Colgate Discusses Innovation, Automation and Security Skilling
Nikhil Chawla, head of global information and cybersecurity, Colgate Global Business Services, and CyberEdboard executive member

The implementation of technology should be coupled with a thought process of prioritizing automation, innovation and continuous improvement, says Nikhil Chawla, head of global information and cybersecurity at Colgate Global Business Services.

See Also: AI and ML: Ushering in a new era of network and security

"This will ensure a complete return on investment out of the solutions that we implement. It will also reduce dependency on humans and will help get actionable insights from data," Chawla says.

What technologies does Chawla recommend investing in? He suggests artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies to help overcome the challenges of humans being the weakest link in security defenses. Phishing and password security are major vulnerabilities, he says. Implementing AI/ML tools will "give actionable insights to the end users and resolve the problem at the source."

Chawla says he is a strong believer in "secure by design" and "I-M-Possible" - a word inspired by an iconic moment from the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, in which paralympic rowing champion Alexey Chuvasev climbed a 15-meter rope to add an apostrophe to a sign that read “Impossible,” changing it to "I'mPOSSIBLE."

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group as part of the CyberEdBoard's ongoing Profiles in Leadership series, Chawla discusses:

  • His top three priorities as a cybersecurity leader;
  • Technologies of interest;
  • Cybersecurity skills and upskilling.

Chawla has more than 25 years of experience in fields including infrastructure, application development, architecture and cybersecurity. His area of expertise is automation to help find and fix gaps in processes in the shortest possible time.


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About the Author

Brian Pereira

Brian Pereira

Sr Executive Editor - CIO.inc, ISMG

Pereira has nearly three decades of journalism experience. He is the former editor of CHIP, InformationWeek and CISO MAG. He has also written for The Times of India and The Indian Express.




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