This article is a feature by swisscybersecurity.net, published on 16.12.2024, written by Coen Kaat and yzu. You can find the original article here (in German).
In November, the Swiss Cyber Institute presented the Swiss CISO Awards for the second time. Daniel Seiler, Head of Platform Services at the Federal Office for Cyber Security (BACS), was honoured as a ‘Future Leader’. In the first part of the interview series on the CISO Awards, Seiler talks about future plans, risk management and the significance of these awards for the industry.
Where is the award now? On the windowsill at home? In the office next to the monitor? Or well protected in a cardboard box?
The award has found a place of honour in our team office. It greets us every day when we come into the office. It is like a silent but very inspiring motivator for us!
What does this award mean for you personally or for IT security in general?
For me, this award is a valuable recognition of my diverse commitment to cyber security. In particular, it recognises the work of the entire Platform Services team at BACS to develop a digital platform for exchanging information with operators of critical infrastructures that is tailored to their needs. In addition to my work at BACS, I have, for example, helped to shape cyber diplomacy at the FDFA and developed the legal transformation offering at KPMG. In addition to my professional commitments, I teach at the HSG and ZHAW in specialised areas such as data protection and cyber security for executives as well as AI.
According to the organisers, the “Future Leader” award is intended to honour a person who will make a “significant contribution in the near future”. Do you already have something planned?
As a newly crowned “Future Leader”, I will continue my passion and commitment to cyber security. In particular, I would like to focus professionally on the technical implementation of the reporting system for cyber attacks on critical infrastructures and the further development of the digital platform in the area of cyber security. Privately, I want to continue to drive the education of the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
What do you need to pay particular attention to when managing security teams?
When leading a team, it is crucial for me to create an environment in which everyone can fully develop and contribute. As Head of Platform Services, I strive not only to lead, but also to inspire and empower. Building trust, nurturing talent and having a clear vision are the pillars that drive us all. Empathy and appreciation are particularly important to me. These values help to create a positive and productive working environment in which all team members feel valued and are motivated to give their best. By paying attention to the needs and well-being of each team member, we can not only better achieve our goals and respond to challenges, but also actively shape the future of cybersecurity.
Your laudation praises your proactive risk management. What characterises your risk management and what makes it proactive?
For risk assessment, I rely on proven, practical methods such as risk quantification, which enables me to numerically record and effectively prioritise potential threats. I work closely with my team to ensure that these analyses are always up to date and that we can react quickly to changes. My focus is on not only identifying risks, but also developing preventative measures that are specifically tailored to our operating environment. By combining technical expertise with a clear understanding of the human aspects of our work, I ensure that our risk management always remains proactive and adaptive. This approach enables us not only to react, but also to actively shape the security of our systems and data, thereby increasing security for everyone involved.
