Claire Davies

Partner & Chief Information Security Officer,

John Lewis Partnership

What does being mind-strong mean to you?

Being mind-strong means being resilient, positive, and self-aware.

Never lying or never gossiping again?

Gossip breeds mistrust, as does lying. Cybersecurity relies on transparency and trust. However, there may be times when being selective with the truth is necessary for the benefit of others.

What have you discovered about yourself in the last year?

I've discovered that I’m quite resilient when juggling multiple life challenges.

If your thoughts made noises, what would they be?

I love this question and took some time to think about it. My mind would sound like a calm, steady heartbeat, reflecting the need for a CISO to stay cool under pressure, even when dealing with incidents. It would also resemble the quiet hum of a server room—always running in the background, constantly monitoring and analyzing for potential threats and risks. A whoosh of air as a door closes would represent the implementation of security controls and safeguards. And every now and then, a short, sharp alarm bell would signal a potential security issue that needs attention.

What change would you want the world to focus on?

Digital inclusion—whether we like it or not, our digital world is here to stay, so we should focus on:

Education: Online learning resources, research tools, and digital literacy are essential for children and adults to thrive in the modern world.

Economic opportunity: From online job applications to remote work, the internet opens doors to economic participation that were previously unimaginable.

Healthcare: Telemedicine, online health resources, and access to vital information can significantly improve health outcomes, particularly for those in remote areas.

Social connection: Social media and online communication tools help people stay connected, combat loneliness, and build communities.

From Counter Intelligence to Cybersecurity: Conquering Imposter Syndrome

[un]LEARN Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Claire Davies, a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), as she shares her remarkable journey—from 22 years in the British military specialising in counterintelligence to navigating imposter syndrome and thriving in the business world while taking on cyber criminals.

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