Q & A Round with Haydur Agha (Vice President – Information Security, Sony Music)

What is the hot topic of the year in the current cyber landscape?

Ransomware is definitely one of the hottest topics at the moment: as the frequency of successful attacks increases, it emboldens and encourages would-be attackers.

What are some of the biggest threats, that are not being talked about enough?

While it is being talked about, the use of AI in cyberattacks has the potential to exponentially increase the speed and efficiency with which malicious attackers may move against their targets.

How do you react to constantly changing threats in the market?

By continuously adapting and improving processes to meet the latest attack vendors.

What are some of your favorite "new" technologies or tools?

Those with the ability to correlate and present information to decision makers with a single pane of glass.

If you had a time machine, what advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career in cyber?

To expose myself to all aspects of cyber defense and offense, as that knowledge would more than come in handy during decision-making times later on.

You are set to the stage at Black Hat MEA this November, what can our audience expect from your session, and what are you most excited about?

I am very excited about the speaking opportunity at BH MEA, especially because the topic of my session is something almost all of us have had to - and continue to - endure since the beginning of COVID: security in a world of remote work. I hope to share some of my experiences as well as learn from others.