Darren Oddie

Many industries are, to a greater or lesser extent, in the throes of digital transformation. As with any change programme, digital transformation efforts often under-perform against expectations. Yet, the number of digital transformation programmes continue to increase, as commercial pressures intensify. As security professionals we need to embrace our role in digital transformation, as security is everybody’s business. For all those people weary of hearing about digital transformation and believe it’s a business fad, consider your own behaviours. If you use a smartphone to search, find, order, buy, message, watch, learn, play, bank, pay, enter, exit, navigate, communicate and more then you are part of the reason that digital transformation is a commercial necessity. The way we live our lives has changed significantly over the past twenty years and this needs to be reflected into how we rethink the way we do business. Digital transformation is about more than technology, it allows people to solve their traditional problems in new and better ways than before. Better can mean faster, at lower cost, using fewer resources, easier to maintain, more compliant and/or easier to report insights. IoT, criminal activity and security  The number of internet connected devices worldwide is increasing at an exponential rate; by the end of 2025 there are expected to be 75.44 billion. Internet of Things (IoT) means digital transformation converges physical and digital for security professionals. Criminals use smarter digital tools such as malware, drones, key cloners, signal readers and more, which impact both physical and cybersecurity. To counter this, digital transformation provides security professionals with access As security professionals we need to embrace our role in digital transformation, as security is everybody’s businessto valuable actionable insights to identify and deter threats to people and assets. All transformation starts with an idea generated by people and ends with people experiencing the output. Therefore, digital transformation starts and ends with people. To ensure a solid foundation to any digital transformation agenda, people need to have a clear purpose to engage. This is where security leaders can inspire their colleagues with a laudable purpose of embracing disruption at the same time as focusing on safeguarding people and assets. Non-security colleagues should understand that security risks are advancing at a faster pace than enterprises can adapt. As a security leader, you are advocating a movement where your colleagues adopt relevant enterprise security risk management practices in their daily thinking and working. The message is clear that digital transformation presents abundant opportunities and these need to be evaluated alongside the proliferating security threats that can become a business continuity failure. Security professionals and digital influence  The number of internet connected devices worldwide is increasing at an exponential rate; by the end of 2025 there are expected to be 75.44 billionSecurity professionals can influence digital transformation success by translating an enterprise’s strategy into secure operational reality. The security narrative should emphasise the people side of digital transformation and how technology can act as an enabler of a safe and secure experience, both for employees and customers. Operationally, digital transformation is about agility, adaptability and navigating uncertainty. Old ways of thinking and working will be blockers to transformation, so security leaders ought to identify the rapid enablers of a ‘secure’ digital transformation. Better people, processes and overall technology People generally don’t want more in their lives, they want better. Better people. Better data. Better technology. Better processes. Digital transformation creates significant ‘better’ benefits for security: For example, connected (IoT) sensors, video analytics at the edge and machine learning identify threats faster; workflow technologies and automation detect, investigate and remediate routine responses; cloud provides many benefits such as agility, scale and mobility; and, smartphones/digital devices provide real-time communication and collaboration. Tackling all the ‘better’ needs within a security approach is necessary – focusing on the prioritised commercial needs first. Think about how to drive radical simplification into digital transformation agendas to ensure complexity doesn’t create too many unmanageable risks. Designing enterprise security risk management into the business operating model will facilitate colleagues to be empowered for safe and secure change. Communicating security successes and breaches with commercial impact insights in a timely and concise manner across the enterprise will prove the value of active security engagement throughout digital transformation programmes. Transforming the world Digital technology is transforming the world around us, in a way that impacts every area of security. Security professionals are now businesspeople and technologists, in addition to their traditional security remits. Embracing this impacts security recruitment, training and employee engagement, within the security team and with non-security colleagues. Without a doubt, security professionals are integral to digital transformation programmes.

CNL Software, a world leader in Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Darren Oddie to the newly created role of Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Darren will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Keith Bloodworth, and will serve as a member of the senior management team. His focus will be on driving growth through customer-centric marketing and product management. Darren joins CNL Software from Wipro Digital where he was CMO Practice Partner, advising clients globally on transformational strategies, new venture launches, new product development and high growth marketing. He started his career as a Graduate Trainee at Reuters and brings more than 25 years’ experience in driving business transformation and growth for enterprises, consultancies and start-ups. Great asset for CNL Software “I am delighted to have Darren join CNL Software as Chief Marketing Officer. He brings an excellent track record of driving growth with a true focus on the customer. I know that he will drive commercial rigor and passion into everything marketing and product-related. CNL Software has made strong progress over the past several years to advance our position as the leading PSIM platform and one of the most trusted brands in our industry. "Darren’s experience and vision will build on that progress and help propel CNL Software forward during our next phase of growth.”, says Keith Bloodworth, Chief Executive Officer at CNL Software. "Darren’s understanding of strategy, marketing, technology and data and his experience of leading and working with teams globally will be a great asset for CNL Software.” “I’m honored to join CNL Software at this exciting time of growth for the business and am looking forward to playing a pivotal role in driving transformational marketing and product management. We have all the right ingredients to achieve this; inspirational vision, an impressive team, a prestigious global client list and an exceptional PSIM product,” adds Darren Oddie. “It’s exciting to join a successful company with an award-winning product that is making our clients and the world more secure.”