When asked about my job at - say - at a birthday party, or other social event and I tell them, people pause for a few seconds, then, usually with a puzzled expression ask, but what exactly does a Virtual Security Officer do? . Often, people confuse my role with that of a physical' security officer who might be responsible for securing access to buildings and other sites. My job is quite different; and although more people are now aware of it, I thought I'd explain what I do in a little more detail and make the importance of it clearer.
Information Security Information security (or cybersecurity) is the security of information, basically all virtual information or data, stored on premises, on devices such as laptops, phones, iPads, connected devices, and in the cloud. This can be all sorts of information, from personal details of your employees, log in details to your bank account, customer details recorded by a customer service employee, sensitive information about a new development, all the way to, government secrets.
When this information is being created and stored in an environment where its security is not considered, this can have serious consequences. Personal information can be leaked and fall into the hands of people with bad intentions; leading to data breaches and abuse of personal information and payment information. Not forgetting the implications for organisations, for instance, when their systems are taken hostage in return for a high ransom. Occasionally, the hacker leaks (distributes) information to the public, pressuring organisations into paying the ransom. In this scenario, I refer to the hacker as the person that has arranged access to data, usually by breaking into the system without consent, and is requesting ransom to return access to the system owners.
A hacker (sometimes known as a pen tester, short for penetration tester), is not always a bad guy . To give you a better understanding, I will explain the difference between the white hat' hackers and black hat' hackers.
White hat hackers work together with organisations to test their security provisions, to fix any issues and improve their overall defences. These are otherwise known as ethical hackers - as they clearly work on the right side of the law. Black hat hackers, conversely, exploit weaknesses in systems to gain access to data and systems for various reasons, such as financial gain, political influence, revenge and so on definitely not ethical in any way!
Being the victim of an information security incident can lead to long term reputational damage for organisations. In addition, it can be costly restoring the business operations - if you haven't been taking proper care of your information security and get caught, you're probably going to pay a large fine for infringing privacy laws such as GDPR.
Increasing number of organisations aim to protect their crown jewels Luckily, organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of their organisation's information security posture. Organisations can protect their information security assets in various ways:
Having a strong firewall and anti-virus protection
Operating with zero trust and providing access only to people that should have access (on a need-to-know basis) by regulating the identity and access management
Complete and timely patch-management
Security information and event management (SIEM)
Regularly (pen) testing the security of the web application and infrastructure security
Creating a human firewall through awareness programs for employees
The starting point, in my opinion, is good Governance, Risk and Compliance, and developing a plan for the organisation's information security throughout.
I can imagine that the terminology can be confusing, but in summary and essence, it is about defining your starting point drafting a plan for the information security of your organisation, executing it, testing it, adjusting where necessary based on the tests, and monitoring whether the implemented information security activities are executed in alignment with your plan (governance). However, it is utmost important that the laws and regulations are considered and are borne by the organisation. This is where compliance comes in play, and where internal and external auditors come to the rescue - to check if your organisation is cohering with applicable standards and regulations and whether you are in control of your organisation.
What the Virtual Security Officer can mean to your organisation?
Now that you have an idea about information security and what organisations can do to improve their security posture, you're probably curious what role a Virtual Security Officer has in the process.
The Virtual Security Officer views the information security organisation from a people, process and technology perspective and aims to ensure the availability, integrity and confidentiality of information and systems. The Virtual Security Officer aims to improve the organisation's security maturity, and thereby advises and provides guidance to the management and/or board regarding information security. As a result, processes will be clearer and better structured, documentation will be complete and up to date, sufficient thoughts are put into the handling of incidents and privacy breaches; and everything will be recorded in a governance that is reviewed regularly.
The Virtual Security Officer will be aware of internal and external risks and handles these according to the best risk management strategy for your organisation. The rapidly changing information security landscape and increasing threats and threat actors, makes organisations more anxious and aware of information security every day not always voluntarily, sometimes as the result of a (targeted) attack.
Organisations shou
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
When asked about my job at - say - at a birthday party, or other social event and I tell them, people pause for a few seconds, then, usually with a puzzled expression ask, but what exactly does a Virtual Security Officer do? . Often, people confuse my role with that of a physical' security officer who might be responsible for securing access to buildings and other sites. My job is quite different; and although more people are now aware of it, I thought I'd explain what I do in a little more detail and make the importance of it clearer. 
