Mo Balakrishnan
Director, Information Security
University of the Pacific
Mo Balakrishnan is the Director of Information Security at the University of the Pacific, overseeing the university's comprehensive cybersecurity strategy across its Stockton, Sacramento, and San Francisco campuses. With over a decade of experience in managing global security teams, Mo has led significant initiatives in advancing university-wide security posture, data governance, and risk management. In a past life Mo was a Geophysicist and part of a team which discovered the largest Chromite deposit in the world (72 Megatons).
Learn more about the San Francisco CISO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I made a career shift from the hard sciences into Technology very early in my career and have worked my way up, starting from the very bottom of the ladder giving me a wealth of hands-on experience in all aspects of cybersecurity and an appreciation and desire to help those starting out in the field.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Lead by example, lead with empathy and lead through passion.
What is the greatest challenge facing your role today, and how are you addressing it?
Talent acquisition and development. Right sizing the investment.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
Take it slow, be methodical, understand the landscape before trimming a bush.
How do you measure success as a leader?
If your roadmap is forward facing and your team is coming to work and enjoying what they do, you're successful.
What is the value of being a member of the Evanta community?
Evanta is an invaluable network which is forward looking. CISOs who attend get the inside track into current trends.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
by CISOs, for CISOs
Join the conversation with peers in your local CISO community.