Introduction
Hi there, Des here. I’m currently in Pittsburgh, America, attending Share 2019. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Stuart McIrvine, the Director of Product Management for Intelligent Operations and Security at Broadcom’s mainframe division. In our conversation, Stuart shared insights into the challenges organizations face in understanding and leveraging the vast amount of data they possess to enhance their security measures.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
Here are some key points from our conversation with Stuart McIrvine:
- Share 2019: A Unique Vendor Supported Event
- Unlike traditional vendor events, Share 2019 focuses on community and user collaboration rather than sales pitches.
- The event is a platform for sharing best practices and insights, particularly in the realm of security.
- Leveraging Information for Better Security
- Stuart emphasized the importance of understanding the data landscape within organizations.
- Many companies struggle to identify sensitive data storage and refine access controls for privileged users.
- Proactive Security Measures
- Stuart highlighted the need for proactive security measures, especially in light of the increasing regulatory requirements such as GDPR.
- Organizations are seeking tools that provide regular reporting to ensure compliance and pass audits with ease.
The Role of Automation and Machine Learning
Stuart also delved into the role of automation and machine learning in the security landscape:
- Automation and Decision-Making
- Automation tools are essential for removing humans from the discovery and reporting processes, particularly in handling large volumes of data.
- Humans still play a crucial role in curating and guiding the decision-making process, ensuring that the right automation is implemented.
- Machine Learning for Insights
- Machine learning enables organizations to gain insights from data and make informed decisions.
- Over time, machine learning models become smarter and more adept at identifying potential security threats.
Addressing GDPR and Regulatory Challenges
Stuart shed light on the challenges posed by GDPR and other regulatory requirements:
- Understanding Data Landscape
- Organizations struggle to identify and manage sensitive data in compliance with regulations such as GDPR.
- The ability to locate and manage personal data in line with the “right to be forgotten” is a significant challenge.
- Proactive Compliance Measures
- Proactive reporting and compliance measures are crucial for organizations to stay ahead of regulatory requirements and avoid costly penalties.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our conversation with Stuart McIrvine highlighted the critical need for organizations to leverage their data for enhanced security measures. By understanding their data landscape, refining access controls, and implementing proactive security measures, businesses can stay ahead of evolving security challenges and regulatory requirements.
Share 2019 serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the mainframe community, and we look forward to seeing how organizations embrace these insights to bolster their security efforts.
Stay tuned for more insights from Share 2019 and our upcoming conversations with industry experts. Thank you for joining us!




