IBM Security Global Forum

IBM Champion Keita Nagase is the CISO of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. He has a demonstrated, impressive history working in global organizations in the IT, financial and research industries. Read more about this experienced Champion with prowess in information security, cybersecurity, enterprise risk management, IT governance and strategy:

Meet Keita Nagase
Location: Japan
Current role: Chief Information Security Officer
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University | www.oist.jp
LinkedIn

How long have you been an IBM Champion?

This is my first year as an IBM Champion.

What does it mean to you to be an IBM Champion?

It gives me credibility and influence, and I can be part of the IBM professional community. It allows me to have a more official opportunity to share my knowledge and experience to the community.

What are you most looking forward to as an IBM Champion this year?

To share experiences on how technologies, including IBM solutions, address emerging cyber security threats and challenges. Many CISOs and Information Security Engineers face challenges such as cyber threats, budget constraints, and organizational issues. I want to share my actual experience with them in detail so they can move forward quickly.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to become an IBM Champion?

I think it’s important to keep an eye on trends and issues in the industry with a constant awareness of how technology can solve the essence of everyday business.

What do you like best about the IBM Champion program?

The extra privilege of the IBM Champion community and information.

What technology trends are you currently most excited about?

Machine Learning and AI in the cybersecurity space. I’m also excited about quantum computing as it may be a game changer in the security space with quantum encryption and more.

What is the best thing about working in cybersecurity?

We are playing an important role protecting an organization’s information assets and privacy from cyber security threats. We also have a comprehensive view of the organization and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.

What advice do you have for someone looking to start a career in cybersecurity?

This role spans wide coverage including policy development, awareness, security control enforcement, auditing both system security and operational governance, as well as incident response and forensics. Always have a broad perspective and be flexible, ensure your conduct includes doing the “right things right” and obtain trust from stakeholders.

What contribution to the technical community are you most proud of this year?

Although I had to cancel several public presentations due to COVID-19, I have made several presentations to the corporate executives and staff who set up the security organization about our Information Security Strategy, issues to be addressed in very detailed cases based on my experiences in multiple industries including IT companies, financial institutions and universities. I provided insights including how I’ve addressed those issues with technology and controls.

What is your next act as an IBM Champion going to be?
Given the circumstances of COVID -19, presentation and communication needs to be flexible. I'm going to spend some time in publications to summarize what I did and to organize my experience and related knowledge.

What is the coolest thing you learned this week?

Smart City and security monitoring and controls. There are many things to be done in this space integrating with AI/ML, blockchain, encryption.

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Thanks to Nagase-san for helping us get to know him better! If you’re interested in connecting further with him, feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn.  If you’d like to learn about the other IBM Champions who work in Security, contact Jennifer Barraclough and stay tuned for additional “Champion in Action” blogs.