A Conversation with Peter Baussmann, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Security Officer, Airlock Digital
Veteran cybersecurity leader Peter Baussmann has joined Airlock Digital in the key role of Chief Technology Officer, Chief Security Officer. In this exclusive Q&A, Peter explains why he chose to take on these important responsibilities and details his formidable track record and leadership philosophies.
Congratulations on your recent appointment as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Security Officer, Airlock Digital. What excited you about the role?
I have followed the company since it was founded over a decade ago and it has been wonderful to see it grow over time. I'm excited to be responsible for driving the growth of technology and security functions inside the organization, and to promote a product I genuinely believe improves our customers’ security postures.
You have an extensive background and proven track record in cybersecurity, including founding independent consultancy Foresight and joining CyberCX through acquisition. Would you mind providing some insights into your achievements and credentials?
I have worked in the technology and cybersecurity industry for 28 years, from my early days working for global system integrators such as Telstra and Fujitsu, before moving into the vendor side with VeriSign.
I was the founder and CEO of Foresight, a cybersecurity firm that provided consulting services focused on the Federal Government, and which specialized in securing cloud technologies. Supported by a talented team of experienced individuals, we built Foresight into a multi-million-dollar specialist consulting firm operating across three of Australia's major cities, with no external funding or investment. Our clientele included blue-chip companies such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, AT&T, NTT, Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Reserve Bank of Australia, Zoom, Pega, and many Australian government agencies. I ran Foresight from 2009 until it was acquired by CyberCX in December 2020.
At CyberCX I served as the Executive Director, Cloud Security and Cloud Solutions. Reporting directly to the CEO, I was responsible for executing on organizational strategy, driving growth and adoption of cloud services, and building enterprise value for the company. In my role I ran a business unit with a $50M P&L and led a team of over 150 highly capable cloud and security experts across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
What are your early priorities at Airlock Digital, and what are your longer term goals?
Setting security and technology strategic objectives, building out the teams, getting the fundamentals right, and securing some quick wins.
What investments are Airlock Digital making in security people and tools, and why? What is the impact on customers?
Airlock Digital has grown quickly over the past year. While security at Airlock Digital is good, we want to expand the capability and capacity of the team to meet our rapid growth aspirations. This means growing the team globally and ensuring they have the right technology and processes in place to succeed. Customers benefit from Airlock Digital's security and compliance uplifts through always-improving protection of their systems and assets.
What guiding principles and philosophies do you apply to the businesses you lead (or are part of the leadership team of) to ensure success?
I like to lead with the following principles in mind:- Outcome focused
- Action oriented
- Operate with integrity and high quality
- Think long term
What is the most surprising or counterintuitive lesson you’ve learned about cybersecurity throughout your career?
It's probably not that counterintuitive, but I've found it's always an important lesson to never assume - whether it relates to conversations with customers, partners, team members, or implementing effective security controls.
How do you relax outside cybersecurity and application control?
I like to spend time with my family, strength training and using the Peloton, spending weekends at the beach, watching the mighty Canberra Raiders rugby league team, binge watching TV shows, and relaxing in front of the fireplace in the winter. Recently my son got his first car and I'm looking forward to working on it with him!
Please tell us one surprising fact (personal or professional) about yourself.
I am a recent recruit to the NSW Rural Firefighting Service (RFS), the largest volunteer firefighting service in the world.
Stay tuned for additional insights from Peter in the times ahead.