Interim Chief Information Security Officer

Isaac Farooq, Ph.D, SABSA SCF, CRISC, CISA

Interim/Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

NomadCISO provides Interim CISO leadership globally and in multiple industries in the domains of IT/OT/IoT/IIoT. Expert CISO with deep experience in M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) and M&O (Management and Operations) that quickly engages with business and technology executives, customers, technology and, security teams to assess cybersecurity strategy, processes, drivers, architecture, and solutions; understands business, technology, and security problems, and defines and implements state-of-the-art cyber-physical security solutions. NomadCISO operates as an independent ‘insider,’ not an outside consultant. A trusted team player that works with the C-Suite, Boards, and Technology Security Leadership to understand business, technology, and security problems, define strategic direction, establish roadmaps, recruit experts, and successfully deliver solutions. A key attribute of NomadCISO is to recruit a permanent CISO.

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Multi-Sector

Experience across IT/OT/IoT/IIoT in:

  • Government
  • Defence
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Public Sector
  • Fintech
  • Mega Projects
  • Logistics
  • Software
  • Aerospace
  • Oil & Gas
  • Petrochem
  • Energy & Utility

20+ Years of Experience

Multi Continent Exposure with Experience in:

developing integrated business, technology, and cybersecurity strategies resulting in successful deliveries. A C-Suite peer and mentor in all things security from organizational cybersecurity risk assessments and design to cybersecurity strategy and consequential technology shifts in solutions – datacentre, private/public cloud, eCommerce, mobile applications, CRM/ERP, and Industrial Automated Control Systems (IACS) – and everything in between.  Global implementations of Enterprise Security Architecture (SABSA), Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) (CRISC/CISA/COBIT), Security Operations & Digital Forensics & Incident Response (DFIR), and more!  Bring cross-industry experiences to the conversation to enable growth, agility, and delivery of positive transformational cybersecurity solutions.

Recognized & Praised

by Leading Consultancies

such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Accenture for providing excellence in cybersecurity consulting.

Several Industry-leading cybersecurity accreditations including ‘Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control’ (ISACA CRISC) and ‘Certified Information Systems Auditor’ (ISACA CISA).

Additionally holding leading Information Security and Business Continuity Certifications including ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor with extensive experience in a wide variety of the 27000 families of standards as well as end-to-end Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Management with ISO/IEC 22301 Certification.

Has developed and managed several Blue Teams, Red Teams, and Conducted Purple Teaming with live Adversarial Simulation on large Cyber Ranges.

Global

Global thinking ‘built-in’

Lived, studied and worked on 5 Continents over the past 20 years.

Worked in over 20 countries in America, Latin America, Europe, UK, Asia, Middle-East, and Africa.

Understand the nuances required to operate in different countries.

A keen understanding of cultures and cultural differences; and how they contribute to successful outcomes.

A builder of international management and teams skilled in all things technology.

Technology & Security (Cybersecurity)

Extensive expertise

in selecting and implementing a variety of cybersecurity technologies to solve business/compliance/security requirements in a results-oriented way:

Strategy & Transformation

Metrics & Data-Driven Business/Security Intelligence

Specialized Standards in Security (PCI, GDPR, ISO, NIST, Region Specific …),

Blockchain & Fintech

Cloud (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, Hybrid, etc.),

Custom Mobile & Web Applications,

Threat Hunting & Intelligence

Brand & Reputation Protection

Network/Infrastructure Security

NomadCISO is here to deliver results!

Strategy

Having troubles with your existing cybersecurity (or lack thereof)

function and need someone who can speak your language and deliver your business and technology strategies securely and safely?

NomadCISO assists in developing or augmenting your cybersecurity strategy by providing a different and challenging point-of-view on the strategic direction of security that is aligned with your business vision and goals by identifying and exploring your ‘business security drivers’.

For optimal results, NomadCISO focuses on developing multi-dimensional strategies in terms of time (short/medium/long term) and space (scope/quick wins, low-priority initiatives, cost-benefit balance, etc.)

Hamish McKirdy

Cyber Security Solutions Manager @ Forcepoint Australia | Helping organizations protect and secure information and systems | Supporting digital transformations

His innate ability to manage deadlines, whilst ensuring all requirements were incorporated and key stakeholders were engaged is a rare talent. He leads by influence rather than authority and is highly respected by all. A dedication to ensuring there was always a common vision of the desired outcome combined with his deep understanding of the C5I domain and a natural desire to truly understand technology from its foundations to the interface, Isaac is a unique individual.

I highly recommend Isaac for any engagement where the results are important or critical, where a true understanding of process and technology is needed, and the project intricacies are highly complex along with the engagement of multiple stakeholders and experts. Isaac manages to bring all parties to a common understanding and objective, aligned with deadlines and timetables that are often challenging and involving disparate parties who have a myriad of domain expertise, with Isaac providing the integral backbone across the project. As a senior team member, team leader or project manager I highly recommend Isaac to anyone that must deliver results in often complex and challenging projects.

Russell Hammad

Founder & CEO at Zenith Technologies

Isaac’s acute execution and brilliant business delivery and professionalism is a fitting profile summation. His business/technology experience coupled with an intuitive nature has empowered him to deliver on our mission-critical and key stakeholder project as a highly effective Solution Architect. Issac’s combination of a unique set of skills and an elaborate competence level in this space had equipped him to surpass our expectations in our high-level information security projects, undertaken at a key governmental apparatus in KSA. Issac’s professional acumen, domain authority, and subject matter expert insight are highly recommended – a calm and commanding approach to our project’s execution was Isaac’s forte, which is invaluable when the stakes are high!

Salim Amoura

Senior Account Executive, VMWare Tanzu at VMWare

I’ve worked with Isaac on a couple of different projects during his role in the Key government entities in KSA as a solution architect. His critical thinking in planning and managing hi-tech projects is second to none, I welcome new projects with people like Isaac because the focus is on the success of the project and nothing else with people with his spirit and conduct.

Dr. S. Akhtar

Network Engineering Lead

Isaac has proven to be a very proactive consultant during our project working with him for a key government organization in MENA, he has an excellent knowledge of technical security controls and countermeasures, and that coming from our specialists is saying a lot! He listens to various aspects of project stakeholders and also communicates his overall strategy tactfully. He is a very driven and goal orientated person. I would highly recommend Isaac to work on a hi-tech project considering his experience and background, but I know for a fact he holds a massive yet precise wealth of knowledge in Technical Surveillance and Counter Measures in the context of compliance and IoT.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE: Government, Defence & Security, BFSI (Banking and Financial Services Industry), Oil, Gas, Petrochem, and Energy, Telecom, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare, Education, and Research and Development (R&D)

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