Sabika Ishaq, chief information security officer at Grant Thornton Luxembourg. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)

Sabika Ishaq, chief information security officer at Grant Thornton Luxembourg. (Photo: Guy Wolff/Maison Moderne)

As part of the 10x6 Leading CIOs’ Challenges 2024, organised by the Paperjam+Delano Business Club on Tuesday 26 March 2024, Sabika Ishaq, chief information security officer at Grant Thornton Luxembourg, shares what inspires her.

How do you ensure that your organisation remains agile and adaptable to technological advancements and market changes?

Sabika Ishaq. – “To ensure organisational agility and adaptability, we implement a multifaceted approach. Firstly, we instil a culture of management accountability, where leaders are responsible for staying abreast of technological advancements and market shifts through continuous briefings. This top-down approach ensures that both employees and management are consistently informed through regular training sessions and awareness campaigns. By fostering a culture where everyone is empowered to embrace change, we can swiftly respond to emerging trends and capitalise on new opportunities. This proactive mindset enables us to pivot strategies and adopt innovative technologies effectively, keeping our organisation ahead of the curve.

How do you foster a culture of innovation within your department to stay ahead of technological trends?

“As mentioned before, cultivating a culture of innovation within our organisation is paramount to staying ahead of technological trends. We emphasise treating technology as an enabler rather than an inhibitor, encouraging our team members to explore its potential to drive creativity and efficiency. We empower our employees to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas by providing resources and support for continuous learning and development. Through collaboration, open communication and a pursuit of improvement, we create an environment where innovation thrives, enabling us to anticipate and adapt to future challenges and opportunities.

Has AI impacted your company and your daily life?

“Today, we live and breathe AI. We are all guilty of leveraging it to improving the quality and efficiency of our mundane everyday tasks, but the key point is to be aware of the risks involved with AI and address them at all levels. Personally, AI has become intertwined with our daily routines, from virtual assistants streamlining our schedules to recommendation algorithms tailoring our online experiences. However, while AI offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with its use. These risks include biases in algorithms, privacy concerns and ethical implications. Therefore, we prioritise awareness and proactive measures to address these risks at all levels of our organisation. By fostering a culture of responsible AI usage and staying informed about emerging challenges, we can harness the power of AI while mitigating its potential drawbacks, ensuring a sustainable and ethical approach to its integration into our daily lives.”