Global IT & Cyber Risk Manager
"I tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen" - Elon Musk (on the dangers of Artificial Intelligence)
Contact MeWhat a time we live in. 2024 - truly the dawn of a new era. Smart phones, smart cars, smart locks, smart homes. Tech certainly came a far way from calculators and Intel 80386 computers clocking a max of 40Mhz. Now, we have surrenderred our entire lives, safety, security, and even healthcare to technology and artificial intelligence. This holds true - not just for data, but for fully operational functions that the world of cyber has taken over for us. However, along with its benefit, an era of new threat arises.
What's stopping someone from listening into your conversation from your smart home speaker?
What's stopping someone from accessing your camera in your laptop for a view of your home?
What's stopping someone from stealing your personal information including health records, bank credentials, passwords, credit card numbers, or social security numbers?
Sounds scary right? That's because it is. And this is just the start of it. With an 'internet of things' i.e. interconnect devices such as your thermostat, lights, security alarms, door locks, and in the near future - self driving cars, there's a lot at stake.
This is where I come in. I assess IT and Cyber Risk, perform end to end business and technology audits, identify vulnerabilities, recommend fixes or improvements, implement where necessary, and protect us. This is what I live and breathe. This is me, and I love what I do. This well written article I came across, summarizes today's trends. If you find this interesting, check this article that shows the thought process of drawing a Risk Heat Map.
Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
Harvard Business School Leadership Essentials
Harvard Business School Management Essentials
Oct 21 - Present
• Review, identify, and assess firmwide application security
• Perform application readiness assessments for software utilized internally at PwC or by their clients
• Lead cyber risk reviews on over 400 MS ConnectorsJuly 20 - Oct 21
• Redesign, establish, and implement firm-wide IT and Cyber Risk audit & compliance framework focused on existing and potential risk; Preventative and detective controls
• Assemble, coach, set up, and lead Systems and Business Internal Audit teams at Florida Blue for agile and emergency adaptation to firmwide transition to remote operations due to COVID-19 pandemic
• Condense HIPAA, NIST, and COBIT industry standards for optimal firm-wide implementationJuly 2016 - July 2020
• Study the global market and PwC member firms for cyber/business trends to proactively identify future risks; Gauge materiality and cost of exploitation to the firm; Present analysis to chief risk committee
• Pioneer, develop, and implement audit strategy for firm-wide IT, financial, operational projects to test internal controls, SOX audits, SOC1 reviews for PwC member firms e.g. US, Mexico, Germany, UK
• Analyze historical trends, mine & utilize real-time data to create/promote customized tools for higher efficiency, realization, budget savings as part of the Engagement Performance and Quality initiativeSep 2013 - July 2016
• Managed/supervised AICPA/PCAOB projects and budget (over $1m each) through planning, execution, filing for Energy, Healthcare, Hospitality, Leisure, Retail, and Financial Services clients
• Led global teams (IT/Business/Audit consultants in groups of 10) to perform IT, Business, Compliance, and Service Auditors Report SSAE16 (SOC1) risk assessments, testing, and complete audits
• Performed data mining using SAS and statistical analysis techniques to analyze, filter, extract information from data sets (over 1m. financial entries) to discuss analytical findings and carve solutions
Master of Science
• Graduated as the top 10% of class
• Inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honors society
• Inducted into the Alpha Iota Delta honors society
Bachelor of Science
• Awarded 3rd place for best final year project and innovative design and implementation of the Portable Heart Attack Monitoring System
George W. and Lisa O. Etheridge, Jr. Professor at the University of Florida
Ali was one of the best students I have ever had. Most of my students would attend my class, get a grade and my association with the person would end there. Not Ali. After graduating from the program (and incidentally, doing very well while being in the program), he has kept in touch with his school, to help other students like him succeed. I have called upon him to talk to the students in my class about his real-life projects and the kinds of experiences he has had as a consultant, and he has always agreed, in spite of his enormously busy schedule. The students have been most appreciative: it allowed them to see what life would be after graduation, and the kinds of projects that they would possibly be involved in. Ali helps these students prepare for the professional world. It is a service to the school, to the students, to his employer and to the community at large. This speaks of a maturity well beyond his years - and I cannot think of a higher praise for someone who is as young as Ali is.
Supply Chain Manager - Beverages at PepsiCo
I worked with Ali, during his internship at PepsiCo in 2010. During that time Ali demonstrated a strong passion for his assignment. He possesses strong analytical skills which he used to develop new and creative solutions to the problems set forth. I found Ali to be a very dedicated and committed individual who would indeed be an asset for any organization. Wish him best of luck in his endeavours.
Head of Strategic Accounts and Customer Success at Incode Technologies
After working with Ali for his tenure at Deloitte, I can say that Ali is a conscientious professional who can be counted on to complete quality deliverables and manages tasks to completion. He has a great attitude, is a pleasure to work with and is an asset to any team.
Senior Internal Audit Associate at PwC
When I joined PwC, I had the pleasure of working with Ali on my first project. He took me under his wing and guided me when it all felt overwhelming. Ali was someone who was very knowledgeable on the subject area, not only that but I knew I could go to him for any question I may have had and he would coach me into finding the right solution. He trusted me as a first year senior to take on some important areas in the audit. Although our time working together was short, I definitely have kept some of the things he taught me with me along my career.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/apiracha
ali.piracha@gmail.com