Cross-channel: Adam Barker

What information security solutions do you supply?

Next-generation firewalls, secure email and web gateways, security information and event management (SIEM), web application firewalls, vulnerability management, advanced persistent threat (APT) protection, database activity monitor and security, security analytics & compliance.

What are your infosec credentials?

Most of our certifications are vendor-based, such as the Palo Alto Certified Network Security Engineer (CNSE) and Splunk Certified Architect.

When did your company first get involved in security?

Since inception we’ve always had a focus on security, hence the name SecureWare. We remain focused on this ever-evolving threat landscape and it’s my charge to look at the full spectrum of implications associated with these security gaps and vulnerabilities, and to have clear actions for how to mitigate this business risk.

What's an infosec trend you've been hearing about?

Endpoint has come back to the forefront after years of being commoditised and failing to innovate. Palo Alto’s recent acquisition of Cyvera has changed the paradigm with endpoint protection. It monitors for and traps exploit attempts, as opposed to traditional signature-based scanning.

Can you tell us about a recent project?

We did a major project for a uni in South Australia. In January 2013, we replaced their internet edge traditional firewall with a Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW). In January 2014, we consolidated their web security and URL filtering within the Palo Alto NGFW, saving money and lowering ongoing management overheads.

What is driving customers towards security projects?

Cybercrime is now front-page news. With high-profile organisations such as Target being severely affected, it’s made it easier for the CIO/IT security managers to explain this risk to the business and to obtain funding to mitigate against this.

Information security is…?

We don’t see information security as a chore to be avoided; we see security investigation as an expression of our creativity.