‘What attracted me to cyber was tech, what kept me was purpose’

Maez de Guzman, a prominent figure in the global cybersecurity managed services sector, has always been drawn to technology and driven by purpose. Beginning her journey with a keen curiosity about how things function and how they can be fortified, de Guzman discovered that a career in cybersecurity united her interests in a "meaningful way."

Initially finding herself alone in her studies, she would often rise early to learn new technologies and security concepts by herself. This experience instilled in her the understanding that cybersecurity is fundamentally built on trust, and the opportunity to safeguard organizations, individuals, and critical systems continues to inspire her.

Recognized as the Philippines' first female certified CISO, de Guzman promotes STEM education through university partnerships and has even authored children's literature on cybersecurity and phishing. She is particularly motivated by technology's ability to amplify human potential, making complex tasks simpler and enabling professionals to focus on higher-value work.

With the integration of AI, de Guzman sees the potential for cybersecurity to evolve, becoming faster and more effective while empowering individuals to focus on more impactful work. As the landscape continues to change rapidly, she believes the next challenge lies in scaling security decisions at the speed at which threats are evolving, moving away from a detection-centric approach to a decision-centric one.