Safeguarding Business Continuity at AEON Credit!
The cybersecurity industry plays a pivotal role in today’s digital economy. It protects rational property, ensures business continuity, facilitates digital transformation, and creates jobs and economic opportunities. As organizations increasingly rely on technology to streamline operations, access new markets, and innovate products and services, cybersecurity enables them to embrace digital transformation securely, minimizing the risks associated with adopting new technologies and expanding digital capabilities.
One such individual who has made significant contributions to this field is Shariza Umira Puteri Binti Kamarozzaman. She is a dedicated professional who has devoted herself to the fields of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity for over 13 years. Her journey has been marked by consistent hard work and resilience, guided by a philosophy that resonates deeply with her: ‘Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success.’
Shariza currently serves as the Section Head of Information Security, Security Operations Center at AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad. The company’s IT Infrastructure department is extensive and dedicated to providing a stable infrastructure for the application team. Their goal is to offer the best platform possible to thousands of customers across Asia. The IT Security and Compliance department collaborates closely with infrastructure to ensure a safe, secure, and compliant environment for AEON Credit, thereby safeguarding business continuity.
Let’s discover more about Shariza Umira Puteri:
Key Contributions of Cybersecurity to Organizational Economy
AEON Credit’s IT Infrastructure department is extensive and dedicated to providing a stable infrastructure for the application team. Their goal is to offer the best platform possible to thousands of customers across Asia. The IT Security and Compliance department collaborates closely with Infrastructure to ensure a safe, secure, and compliant environment for AEON Credit, thereby protecting business continuity.
Becoming a Section Head in Information Security – specifically, the Security Operation Center – is no easy feat as it involves managing daily operations and Business-As-Usual (BAU) tasks. Ensuring the efficacy of all Cybersecurity defenses within the organization is equally challenging, demanding constant surveillance and prompt responses to alerts generated by the Security Tools in use, followed by thorough analysis.
Working in the Cybersecurity field can contribute to a stronger economy within organizations in various ways:
- Protecting Intellectual Property: By safeguarding intellectual property and trade secrets from cyber threats, Cybersecurity aids organizations in maintaining their competitive edge and fostering innovation, thereby facilitating economic growth.
- Ensuring Business Continuity: Effective Cybersecurity measures mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks that could disrupt operations, resulting in financial losses and reputational damage. By ensuring business continuity, organizations can sustain productivity and revenue streams, thus contributing to a stable economy.
- Facilitating Trust and Confidence: Trust forms the bedrock of economic transactions. Robust Cybersecurity practices instill confidence among customers, partners, and investors, encouraging their participation in business transactions and investments. Strengthened trust fosters robust relationships and collaborations, thereby driving economic activities within and outside organizations.
- Enabling Digital Transformation: In today’s digital economy, organizations increasingly rely on technology to streamline operations, access new markets, and innovate products and services. Cybersecurity enables organizations to embrace digital transformation securely, minimizing the risks associated with adopting new technologies and expanding digital capabilities.
- Supporting Regulatory Compliance: Compliance with Cybersecurity regulations and industry standards is imperative for organizations operating in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. By adhering to regulatory requirements, organizations demonstrate their commitment to protecting sensitive data and upholding the integrity of financial systems, thus fostering a stable economic environment.
- Creating Jobs and Economic Opportunities: The demand for Cybersecurity professionals continues to grow as organizations recognize the importance of safeguarding their digital assets. Investment in Cybersecurity talent development and workforce training creates job opportunities and stimulates economic growth within the Cybersecurity industry and related sectors.
In summary, Cybersecurity plays a pivotal role in bolstering the economy within organizations by safeguarding intellectual property, ensuring business continuity, fostering trust and confidence, facilitating digital transformation, supporting regulatory compliance, and creating jobs and economic opportunities. Organizations that prioritize Cybersecurity are better equipped to navigate the challenges of the digital age and contribute to sustainable economic prosperity.
Overcoming Challenges and Thriving in IT Security Operations
Shariza’s early years resembled those of a typical family; she is the eldest child and the only daughter among five family members, including her parents. She can confidently say that she has always been cherished by her mother, who has provided her with invaluable guidance on how to be independent and a leader.
She graduated from the University Kuala Lumpur – Malaysian Institute of Information Technology with a Bachelor of Computer Engineering (Hons) in 2011. Following her graduation, she secured a position as a Wintel Engineer at Hewlett Packard Malaysia that same year. However, after eight years, she decided to embark on a new journey in Security Operations, driven by her eagerness to explore new opportunities.
During her transition to Security Operations, she discovered a profound interest in the cybersecurity field, which has become her passion. Over her 13 years of studying and working in IT and Security Operations, she encountered numerous challenges. One significant hurdle was adapting to the new realm of Security Operations, particularly while serving as a Regional SPOC for MetLife Asia.
Despite the difficulties, she was fortunate to receive unwavering support from her Manager, the CTO of MetLife, who patiently guided her and remained a constant source of advice even after she changed companies. He has been akin to a mentor or a cherished confidant, akin to her mother.
Her inner circle includes a select few close friends, one of whom works in the same field. They share a bond akin to siblings, offering mutual support through both professional and personal challenges. This companionship is especially important in the male-dominated IT security environment, where cooperation can be challenging, particularly when working with male leaders or subordinates.
Despite encountering instances of disrespect, particularly when assigning tasks, she remains resilient. Over time, she’s learned to navigate these dynamics and assert her leadership as the Head of the Security Operations Center, fostering collaboration within the team.
Despite the challenges of being a female leader in a male-dominated field, Shariza is grateful for the opportunities for growth and learning. She firmly believes that with confidence and self-trust, one can overcome any obstacle. A quote by Dwayne Johnson resonates deeply with her: ‘Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success.’ This philosophy has been a guiding principle throughout her journey.
Journey and Growth in the Field of Cybersecurity
Shariza began her career as a Wintel Engineer in 2011 at the age of 25. After four years, she transitioned to the role of Infrastructure Engineer. It wasn’t until another four years had passed that she embarked on a new career path as a Security Operations Specialist – Vulnerability Management with MetLife Asia.
In this role, she served as their single point of contact and oversaw the management of 10 countries to ensure their vulnerability score remained in the green. Collaborating closely with Country Security Operations, she ensured the health of their APAC region’s Security Operations and tools.
The decision to transition to Security Operations stemmed from her desire to explore new opportunities, with Security emerging as a promising avenue. In 2019, she sought advice from a senior regarding a career in Security, and their support proved invaluable.
Her passion for Security flourished during her tenure at MetLife, particularly under the guidance of her previous manager, Chan Kwok San, who provided unwavering support as she deepened her involvement in IT Security. With aspirations to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in the future, her keen interest in Cybersecurity continued to grow.
Upon embarking on a new journey at a different organization in 2024 as a Section Head of Information Security, Security Operations Center, she delved into SOC (Security Operations Center) and the entire Cybersecurity framework under the mentorship of her Head of Department, Steven Chan Cheng Hong at Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad.
Like Chan Kwok San, Steven mentored her and assisted in overcoming challenges. While she maintains independence in her role, she occasionally seeks advice from her manager for a second opinion or guidance on Security Operations matters.
This trajectory has shaped her into a Cybersecurity expert, and recently, she transitioned into the role of Section Head of the IT Security Operations Center at Aeon Credit Service (M) Berhad. She has been in this new role for four months, and she looks forward to contributing her expertise and driving excellence in cybersecurity within the organization.
Embracing Leadership and Empathy in Cybersecurity
Shariza possesses a strong leadership character, though she exhibits a different, softer, and more loving personality outside office hours. One might say she has a dual nature, shifting gears when she’s working versus during her leisure time. As the eldest sister in her family, she’s had to be strong, supporting her mother through life, especially considering their modest background. Her mother encouraged her independence, urging her to tackle difficulties and solve problems on her own, emphasizing the importance of women’s independence.
To succeed, she’s learned to differentiate between rational and emotional thinking, recognizing that women often grapple with heightened emotions. As a Cybersecurity Head, Shariza prioritizes rational decision-making, consciously setting emotions aside to ensure sound judgments. This approach enables her to lead effectively, mentor colleagues, and develop talent.
Her weakness lies in the unpredictability of her emotions. Colleagues often gauge her mood from her expressions to avoid potential issues. While this may seem trivial, it’s a trait she acknowledges and considers unique, as it makes her harder to predict and less ordinary.
Born as a Cancer Woman with birthdays in July and under watery signs, she understands the complexity of emotional waves. Only special individuals comprehend and embrace these traits, recognizing the depth of emotions and the inherent kindness within.
Despite these challenges, she believes her genuine heart can inspire kindness and understanding in those around her. Embracing both her strengths and weaknesses, she strives to lead with empathy and authenticity.
Driving Success through Shared Workloads
Working together as a team and department motivates and empowers both Shariza and her team to excel in their roles. In the realm of Security Operations within the financial industry, collaboration with key stakeholders from various departments such as Infrastructure, Security, Cloud, and Applications is crucial. Security encompasses the entire infrastructure and applications to ensure the environment remains secure and customer data is safeguarded from breaches.
Setting a good example and demonstrating effective leadership by sharing workloads to ensure successful project delivery is key to inspiring her team and colleagues to achieve success. She is fortunate to have consistently demonstrated academic excellence since her student days, and this has continued throughout her 13-year tenure as an employee in various organizations, where she has consistently been recognized as a top performer. Her strong academic background and experience working with several good managers serve as motivation for her staff and colleagues as they collaborate.
In leading the team, she embodies a dual nature, presenting herself as an assertive leader during work hours and adopting a softer approach during leisure time. From her academic years to her current role as Head of Information Security, she consistently motivates her team to work together, guided by the principle summarized in the quote by Henry Ford: ‘If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.’ Shariza firmly believes that collective effort is essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving success in delivering projects.
She encourages her team and colleagues to continually enhance their knowledge, explore new opportunities, and consider a career path in leadership and management if they are interested. In her view, collaboration is essential in Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, as teamwork is indispensable for delivering projects effectively and providing excellent platforms for users and customers while ensuring the protection of their data in their environments.
Academic Excellence to Professional Success
Being a Cybersecurity Head is the greatest achievement she has attained thus far. She is immensely grateful to God for guiding her career path to the right place and time. Her goal is to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), which motivates her to continually enhance her knowledge in the working environment and cybersecurity field.
Her journey of achievements began at university, where she earned Dean’s List Honors for both her diploma and bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. Additionally, she was honored as one of the recipients of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) scholarship during her Bachelor of Computer Engineering (Hons) studies.
Since graduating, she has received numerous accolades and recognitions, with the pinnacle being her role as a Cybersecurity Head. The following is a list of the awards and recognitions she has received from the university until the present:
- Insights Success Business Magazine – Most Influential Cybersecurity Leader to Follow In 2024
- Passion Vista’s Collectors’ Edition Magazine – Achievers of Asia and Africa 2024
- DigitalConfex – Award of Top 25 Cybersecurity Star of the Year 2023
- Manulife – Certificate of Appreciation 2017
- Cathay Pacific Airways – Certificate of Appreciation 2014
- Fonterra & EastHub – Certificate of Appreciation 2012
- University Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian Institute of Information Technology) – Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA; Malay: People’s Trust Council) Scholarship (Dec 2011)
- University Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian Institute of Information Technology) – Dean List S1’ 2011
- University Kuala Lumpur (Malaysian Institute of Information Technology) – Dean List S2’ 2007
- University Kuala Lumpur (British Malaysian Institute) – Dean List S2’ 2005
Embodying Strength
Shariza’s guiding principle towards growth, development, and success is precise in the quote by Mandy Hale: ‘Strong women don’t play the victim. They don’t make themselves look pitiful and don’t point fingers. They stand, and they deal.’
Firstly, it emphasizes the strength and resilience inherent in women. Rather than succumbing to victimhood or portraying themselves as helpless, strong women confront challenges head-on. They refuse to dwell on misfortunes or seek pity from others. Instead, they face adversity with courage and determination, embodying resilience in the face of obstacles.
Secondly, the quote highlights accountability and self-reliance. Strong women do not engage in the blame game or point fingers at others for their circumstances. Instead, they take ownership of their actions and decisions, accepting both successes and failures. By embracing accountability, they empower themselves to navigate life’s challenges with integrity and grace.
Finally, the quote underscores the importance of action and decisiveness. Strong women do not merely endure hardships; they actively confront and address them. Rather than waiting for circumstances to change or relying on external assistance, they take initiative and proactively seek solutions to overcome obstacles.
In essence, Mandy Hale’s quote celebrates the resilience, accountability, and proactive nature of strong women. It encourages women to embrace their inner strength, confront challenges with courage, and take charge of their destinies.
Her message to viewers out there is to not give up and to keep improving your knowledge, regardless of the field. For her, it’s in Cybersecurity because she aspires to be a CISO someday. This has been her ambition since she changed her career path to Cybersecurity or IT Security. She encourages everyone to continue to improve themselves, keep learning, and await opportunities. Opportunities will come at the right time; you just need to be patient and maintain consistency in your work.
The Role of Faith in Achieving Greatness
Shariza never anticipated receiving multiple awards starting in 2023 and extending into 2024. However, a quote about success has always resonated with her: ‘Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. “Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” These words were spoken by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, an actor whom she admires.
Since embarking on her career in 2011, Ms. Shariza has never wavered. Over the past 13 years, she has devoted herself to the fields of IT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, diligently working towards achieving success. Along this journey, she has been able to showcase her dedication and hard work to the world.
She acknowledges all her former manager, Chan Kwok San from MetLife, Adrian Lim from Tune Protect Group, and her current manager, Steven Chan Cheng Hong from AEON Credit Service (M), for their significant contributions to her success in the field of security. All of them have played crucial roles in shaping her skills and abilities, and she is grateful for their guidance and mentorship. They have truly helped her become a star in the world of Cybersecurity.
She believes that only God can repay the kindness and support they have shown her, and she prays that He blesses them all with good health so that they may continue to train and guide others, just as they have done for her.
