The changes that are taking place in the digital field are amazing, the speed with which new developments come out to improve people’s lives today can be terrifying, but what is clear is that there is no ceiling for professionals and that everything is possible. .
Within these developments, data security and data protection are becoming increasingly important and companies must also adapt to this dizzying level of development and innovation. To learn more about how technology impacts data protection and management, Dhiren Savla, Head of Information Security at VFS Global, a company responsible for managing data in more than 67 countries, talks to us firsthand.
How much has the role of the CIO changed in two decades, and what other changes can we expect in the coming year?
I have always viewed technology as a catalyst for change and a driver of business vision. With the accelerated adoption of digital technology amid the pandemic, this school of thought has found greater acceptance among business leaders. However, it should be added that the change in the role of CIOs began much earlier. For the past two decades, IT conversations revolved around speed and consistency, which are still important, but the continuous development and integration of cloud technology, mobile devices, social media, business analytics, discussions and strategies have significantly reformed.
I believe in creating an IT foundation that keeps the organization ahead of time and ready for the future. Therefore, for companies to remain relevant in the future, it is necessary for CIOs to have a place on the board of directors. Ownership and ownership would help them anchor short and long term organizational goals. The ability of CIOs to devise business strategies and the application of technology in achieving these objectives would be key.
And digital leadership? How have operations in diplomatic missions and the visa issuing environment changed in the last decade or so?
VFS Globally manages only the administrative and non-judicial aspects of the visible application process. The issuance of visas and the operation of diplomatic missions depend solely on the respective sovereign governments. But I can say that in order to organize we strive to stay one step ahead of our digital eyes.
We have expanded our administrative capabilities, deployed certain resources to further e-commerce and expand our digital offerings, and safeguarded data protection and information security compliance. With changes in customer behavior, which become much more comfortable with online channels and alternatives, it is critical to find a balance between a great customer experience and a secure and compliant platform.
What are the dangers of moving online and how to combat fraud and cyber security threats in the digital realm?
Digital transformation was inevitable. Only the pandemic has accelerated this change, thus introducing sporadic growth in online consumption. Data protection and data security are two critical functions for VFS Global’s business. Over the years we have invested significant resources to build these features with the most robust and controlled systems.
We are firmly committed to maintaining the highest levels of cybersecurity. As we have already demonstrated our strongest defense in the Defense Plan, we are now embarking on the implementation of a better cyber-maturity. This includes new end-to-end cyber-grade technology and the implementation of advanced PII discovery and enforcement tools to ensure data remains secure throughout its lifecycle. The plan also includes improving the Cyber Incident Response Plan and simulation exercises to ensure a well-rounded response to any cybersecurity incident.
The pandemic was a radical change. Is the sector now renewed as it should be and are we now better prepared for technological and business changes to enable PCN?
Agility and adaptability will be the two most important attributes in companies to stay relevant. Keeping up with the rapidly changing business environment is essential. VFS Global continues to invest in technology to be ready and prepared for the future.
Our adoption of the AWS public cloud has brought elastic technologies like Beanstalk, S3, Lambda functions, CloudFront, and WAF, and best practices like DevSecOps pipelines. We continue to work on new products that will be more relevant to changing cultures. At VFS Global, we strongly believe that BCP goes far beyond technology. An effective BCP is achieved through a well-defined and regularly tested process, trained people and technical tools, and this is owned by the leadership team.
Will ChatGPT transform the way we do business?
ChatGPT is undoubtedly a good example of the possibilities that technology will offer in the future. The first experiences with this technology are very promising, and as technologies like ChatGPT mature and connect with others, they will have a significant and positive impact on businesses, bringing efficiency and precision, freeing up resources to do a higher level of work. There are many opportunities and we should follow this space closely.
