Theo van Wyk is the Head of Cybersecurity and Solutions Development at CDW Canada. He is the team leader for the security solution architecture team, which works with clients to solve their IT security and risk issues. Starting with data risk in mind, Theo consults and assists customers in developing a balanced security strategy, ensuring that the security solutions advised complement their governance, risk, and compliance program while also supporting IT operations.
Below are highlights of the interview:
Tell us about yourself and your story before joining CDW Canada.
I was born and raised in South Africa. After finishing high school, my family immigrated to Canada. I decided to pursue a career in electronic engineering, but after a work semester I realized that was not the career path I wanted to continue down. Being at a bit of a loss for next steps, I decided information technology sounded interesting and, as a bonus, it was only going to become more relevant in our lives over time. And so I detoured into an internet communications technology program while I figured out what I wanted to do for a career.
On this journey, I discovered IT security and, after graduating, began as a Level 1 SOC analyst, progressing through delivery, presales, and eventually into strategy and leadership roles. I spent most of my career in security at a number of large enterprises, telcos, and boutique security firms.
In 2015, Scalar Decisions approached me to join the team tasked with building a security practice. The opportunity perfectly aligned with my passion for IT security, building, and innovation. I started my journey with CDW Canada when they acquired Scalar Decisions in 2019. I have more than 20 years of experience in the North American cybersecurity sector and am an expert in working with customers to address their IT security and risk challenges.
Tell us more about CDW Canada.
CDW Canada is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government, education, and healthcare. Established in 2003, CDW Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with multi-national capabilities based in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
With more than 900 employees in nine offices across the country, CDW Canada helps customers achieve their goals by delivering integrated technology solutions and services that include security, cloud, data center, networking, collaboration, and digital transformation.
CDW Canada reduces the risk, cost, and complexity of procuring, deploying, and integrating technology internationally. By combining local knowledge with true expertise in international logistics, we deliver consistent, service-driven solutions to our local and international customers.
Why did you choose to become an IT expert?
To be honest, I never thought I would be in IT. I realized that technology would become more integrated and important in our lives over time, regardless of your profession. And so I started what I thought would be a quick detour to better my understanding of how information and networking technologies work while I figured out what career I wanted to pursue.
My studies led to a work opportunity as a security operations analyst, and the rest is history. I felt a specific passion for cybersecurity early on within the IT field. Security has evolved over time from pure technical controls such as firewalls to a discipline that can be viewed as both a standalone and integrated approach that is relevant in all aspects of IT.I have a passion for translating the complex into a message non-IT users can understand and embrace.
What have you failed at and how do you overcome challenges?
I prefer to focus on looking at experience through the lens of making mistakes instead of failing. A failure for me would be when you do not learn and evolve. To that end, I do make many mistakes.
My most prominent and re-occurring one is perhaps being overly risk-averse. I would imagine this probably comes a bit more naturally as a security-focused person who is trained to view things from a risk-based perspective.
To overcome challenges, I rely on and trust in my team. I have also learned to ask smarter questions. I am continuously striving to be more comfortable with risk and to learn to trust that I can recover when things do not go as planned.
Kindly describe how you will specifically know what success looks like for you. And what has been the best recognition that you received as a professional.
I believe that your brand and the passion you bring to your industry are two of the most important metrics when evaluating success. Your brand in turn helps to foster trust among your team, customers, and peers. Success for me is not a “destination” or an “achievement”, but when trust, passion, and brand are in a balanced state.
The best recognition for me is when I am asked for my input. This has taken many forms, including being invited to:
- Participate as a member of various advisory committees.
- Speaking engagements at events and conferences, for example, hosting a masterclass at this year’s collision conference.
What advice would you give to the next generation IT and cyber leaders?
Be humble and kind and build your brand on trust. IT and cybersecurity affect a wide range of industries, customers, and individuals, and you never know when your paths will cross again.Never stop being inquisitive and asking more challenging questions.
It is more important now than ever for IT and cyber leaders to focus on understanding the balance between people and technology. Traditionally, and still to a great degree today, IT is rooted in technology. This is in turn driven by engineering, which often leads to technology based decision making.
What are your future plans to sustain the company’s and your success?
I can directly attribute our achievements to always keeping our customers and their journey at the centre of our actions and decision making. Starting with our customers’ needs and considering the input from peers and vendors, we will continue to innovate and build industry leading IT solutions to help companies achieve their business goals.
I will continue bring my passion and expertise to innovate, evolve and contribute to the IT and Cybersecurity industry.
Website: www.cdw.ca
