FTG 0063 - From Technical Expert to Executive Leader with Cybersecurity Executive Atif Ghauri ’00

Following the Gong is a podcast for Schreyer Scholars that brings mentoring on demand from Scholars Alumni across a wide array of industries and experiences, with new episodes released bi-weekly here on RUclips, and audio version available on major podcast platforms. Here’s a breakdown of this episode:
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Overview:
Cybersecurity executive Atif Ghauri ’00 Business joins Following the Gong to discuss his career and advice for Scholars interested in both technical and relational leadership roles. Atif currently serves as the President of Ultraviolet Cyber after a career of increasingly senior roles in cyber security. Atif discusses his experience reluctantly coming to Penn State and then having an incredible experience in the Smeal College of Business and the Schreyer Honors College. Atif also shares insights from his career at companies like Comcast and the Herjavec Group - led by Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec and taking control of your life and career. An overarching theme is making the shift from technical roles to the executive leadership in a business. Any Scholar can gain wisdom from this episode, and especially any interested in roles in technology and/or business. Atif’s bio is available below along with chapter markers detailing the topics discussed.
Guest Bio:
Atif Ghauri ’00 Bus is currently the President of UltraViolet Cyber. He is an established C-Level Executive with 20+ years of experience in Cybersecurity, serving roles as CTO, CPO, COO, and Managing Partner. Atif holds a patent for security analytics algorithms on embedded consumer devices monitoring user anomalies.
Prior to UltraViolet Cyber, Atif led Cyderes (formerly known as Herjavec Group) as COO. Atif was responsible for all go-to-market activities related to sales and product management. Prior to Cyderes, Atif was a Managing Partner at Mazars. He was the Global Cybersecurity Practice Leader, responsible for all aspects of the business from sales to service delivery.
Atif has held leadership roles for both business and technology organizations at Comcast. He was head of Business Operations for Xfinity Home. He also served as Chief Product Security Officer for the technology engineering group, where he directed all security work streams to launch next generation X1 Platform. Prior to Comcast, Atif was Director of Security at Unisys. He started his career as a Managing Consultant at IBM Global Services advising and implementing security to Fortune 100 companies. Atif received a Masters in Technology Management from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems with Honors from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and Schreyer Honors College.
Episode Topics & Chapters:
00:00 Introductions
00:13 Choosing Penn State and the SHC
02:50 Starting a Business as a Student
05:09 Using Campus Leadership Roles in Your Career
06:55 The Honors Thesis
08:56 Job Searching as a Scholar and Being the "Strongest Athlete"
12:26 Communicating technical "jargon" to different audiences and deciding on technical vs business paths
16:22 Developing the skills and strategies to move from "techie" to leader
19:43 Making connections that lead to the Shark Tank
24:11 Parlaying connections into opportunities
26:27 Transitioning from technical to strategy and leadership roles
29:44 The importance of cyber security and the chief IT security officer role
32:16 Balancing strategy and the day-to-day
35:48 Continuing education outside of formal programs
37:35 Making challenging decisions as a leader
42:12 Developing leadership skills as a Scholar
44:33 Making the time for commitments
46:36 Work life balance as a CEO
50:14 Questions the host didn't think to ask
51:55 Reflecting on Atif's successes and mistakes
53:33 Thoughts on mentorship
55:18 Shoutouts
56:39 Atif's final advice
57:52 How to connect with Atif
58:18 Which Creamery flavor Atif would be
59:16 Wrap up and final thoughts
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Credits & Notes:
This show is hosted, produced, and edited by Sean Goheen '11 Lib (Schreyer), '23g Bus.
The artwork was created by Tom Harrington, the College’s Web Developer.
The sound effect is “Chinese Gong,” accessed via SoundBible used under Creative Commons License.