Capgemini cybersecurity architect Suze Russell offers career advice

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly attractive career option for many women and Capgemini Global IBM Alliance Cybersecurity Architect Suze Russell is certainly a trailblazer in the field.

Now, drawing on her expertise, Suze has highlighted how being the CEO of your own role is essential to driving the best business outcomes.

Tell us about your role. What does a day in your life at Capgemini look like?

As the Global IBM Alliance Cybersecurity Architect, I support delivery teams for all their IBM product needs. I also lead technical architecture services for the go-to-market and client engagement teams to expand our IBM product offering. A typical day involves actively connecting subject-matter experts with delivery teams, building relationships with client engagement representatives, and collaborating on global cybersecurity initiatives to ensure our IBM Alliance provides a competitive advantage for our managed detection and response services and our clients.

What’s the best thing about working at Capgemini?

I enjoy working with dedicated and hardworking people who really want to see clients succeed in their cybersecurity strategies. I work with the most creative and innovative people! They firmly embrace our Capgemini values and work diligently on technical solutions to keep the engines running when the rubber meets the road. Clients benefit from the application of our Capgemini values and see it in every successful delivery. The market has also recognized that our cyber ratings are highly competitive, and we are enjoying rapid growth in cybersecurity services.

What makes you proud to work at Capgemini?

Capgemini values are clear differentiators and I’m proud to work with such a forward-thinking and innovative organization. What’s more, I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in our equality-driven approach, which leads to a more inclusive world. We know there are areas that need improvement, and we are working towards creating solutions with transparency and honesty. At Capgemini, we lead with compassion and use technology to drive our clients’ business; but we also make it imperative to build a better and more sustainable future for all of humanity at the same time.

How are you working towards the future you want?

I hope to bring more awareness to the role of the security architect at Capgemini. We need to bust the myth that security architects are only valuable within a cyber role, and to grow the security architect community as an essential element of our cyber business. The Capgemini Global Architecture Community has been very supportive of my myth-busting campaign and is rapidly expanding the technical communities. We define certifications, career paths, and roles and responsibilities in a manner that allows our people to set achievable goals and our clients to benefit from referenceable frameworks. Security architects give our clients confidence in our cybersecurity services. Capgemini cybersecurity leadership also continues to provide the vision and strategic alliances that drive our practice and recognize the business value of security architects. Capgemini has the potential to be a global household name in security services; not only to harness the market, but also to build a more sustainable future with trusted computing and technology. Security architects are the catalyst for making this happen.

What advice would you give to someone joining Capgemini?

Be the CEO of your role. If you are just starting out at Capgemini, seek out the resources and relationships you need to form your own entrepreneurial unit. This unit will support your career progression. Become a member of the communities available to you and get involved in the initiatives and events that excite you. Don’t be afraid to reach out to colleagues at all levels and ask lots of questions. Form lasting networks and relationships that will help you, not just deliver what’s at hand but to improve all future deliveries too.