Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges with Innovative Solutions

H. Edison Humphries, Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, MasTec

H. Edison Humphries, a certified information systems security expert, works with a large clientele, providing security system solutions. With over a decade of experience in the industry and exceptional problem-solving and strategic planning skills, he keeps abreast of technological advancements to deliver innovative solutions for his clients.

In an interview with Enterprise Security Magazine, Edison talks about the impact of cybersecurity systems and the relentless efforts to keep any disruptions away.

Can you explain the journey you have had so far in the industry and your current roles and responsibilities at MasTec?

I started as a network engineer, focusing on providing security solutions before becoming a security manager. I joined MasTec as a security manager and worked my way through the ranks before being appointed as vice president and chief information security officer. I engage predominantly in the technical infrastructure management sector, prioritizing security solutions.

What do you think are the significant challenges in the industry, and how do you deal with them?

Cyber attacks are a common threat affecting most businesses. A successful ransomware attack is a concern that can be highly disruptive. Flexible preventative strategies are the solution to deal with this. As a company, we have different lines of business, and it will not be viable if we implement the same solution for all our clients. The security strategy we bring forward for different business units is coherent and distinct. At MasTec, we consider all the possibilities and shortcomings of the probable solutions, not just from a functionality standpoint but also in terms of cost-effectiveness.

We are well-informed of the developments in the field, and we constantly evaluate them to ensure reliability and cost-effectiveness. The solutions that we offer have to prove beneficial for the business. We are always looking for new strategies and brainstorming for new ideas to make our work better. Keeping an open mind to learning and being updated about the developments in the industry is crucial to deal with the challenges. It also helps in understanding if the new products in the market can be put to our use.

What, according to you, are some of the measures that can be taken to enhance the reliability of existing security systems?

We recently added multi-factor authentication to the security system that we already have in place. This was a very taxing process, especially in a large environment like ours, as every user had to change how they interacted with the system. As security system solution providers, our goal is to prevent disruptions to the system, regardless of the purpose of the interruption. It does not matter if a URL or a cyber attacker causes it; disruptions are disruptions. Introducing multi-factor authentication was a necessity for us, given that our workforce comprises in-office and remote workers.

What would be your advice to the budding professionals in the field?

Always be willing to learn and keep yourself updated. Understand that the reason why you’re providing security solutions is to protect a business. The solutions you provide have to support the growth of the company. You might come across a great solution, but if it doesn’t co-exist with the client’s business standpoint and values, it will be useless. Having the latest, cutting-edge solution might not be enough for the solution to be useful. Warranting cost-effectiveness also becomes important to meet that goal. Ensure that whatever solution you provide can be effectively incorporated into your client's business systems.