On the lighter side of things, we ask the industry experts what makes them tick....

Dennis Kozak, CEO, Ivanti, share what time in tech has taught him so far.

Professionally, taking on the position of CEO at Ivanti is a significant milestone for me. Having served as COO for the past three years, I acquired a deep understanding of the company’ s operations and customers. As CEO, I am able to utilise this knowledge and guide the company’ s growth. I often use the analogy of an owner versus a renter and in this role I am fully committed and invested in the long-term success of the company by having an ownership mentality – rather than one of a short-term renter.

Personally, the most significant accomplishment of my life is building a meaningful life with my wife and three daughters. Without the unwavering support of my family, I would not have reached my current position. They are my everything, and I am constantly grateful for the life I share with them.

What first made you think of a career in technology?

In my early career, I joined a software development company in a finance and accounting role, but I always loved tech. I spent 22 years there immersing myself in various areas and roles in finance, sales and operations. The potential of technology to solve business challenges caught my attention and the more I delved into it, the more I realised its impact. The combination of innovation, transformation and finding solutions is what made the tech industry a thrilling field to be a part of – it is the foundation of a prosperous enterprise.

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?

As a New Yorker, I strongly believe in a straightforward and candid management style and doing whatever is necessary to accomplish the task at hand. Part of this involves actively listening to and considering feedback from customers, employees, partners and investors before taking action. This approach has consistently proved beneficial, promoting a culture of openness and continual growth. My goal is to create an atmosphere where everyone’ s voice is heard and valued, leading to increased innovation and a stronger team dynamic.

What do you think is the current hot technology talking point?

Businesses face greater challenges in securing their environments against emerging AI risks. This is especially the case as Shadow AI – the unsanctioned use of AI tools within organisations – continues to rise. Yet, Ivanti’ s own research has revealed that a third of businesses lack a strategy to address these threats. This highlights the need for CIOs and CISOs to collaborate closely to understand which AI tools are in use and ensure where they may need additional support. Already, IT and security teams are increasingly looking for unified solutions that not only address AI-related risks but also scale to meet the evolving needs of the organisation and its employees.

How do you deal with stress and unwind outside the office?

I need to start my day with a workout to get in the right frame of mind, but at the end of the day, being with my loved ones and playing a role in shaping my children’ s characters helps me unwind outside the office. I think this balance keeps me grounded amidst the challenges of being a CEO.

If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?

I wouldn’ t change anything because it led me to where I am today. I have no what-ifs because I tried various roles and industries to explore what I was most drawn to – and it ultimately led me here.

What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?

One of the key focus areas for IT and security should be exposure management, as the threat

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