(US and Canada) Samuel Davis, Director, Software Engineering & Automation Solutions, Nationwide, speaks with Eric Coss, Customer Solutions Architect, AHEAD, about his responsibilities, cybersecurity awareness, and an enterprise-level approach to information security. 

Davis’ responsibilities include helping drive capability regarding software engineering components, guidance, and cadence throughout the enterprise.

His number one data and analytics priority at Nationwide is the organization’s data strategy. He explains that a data strategy is a foundation for many different data practices. Data leaders should plan a long-term strategy that defines people, processes, and technologies to solve data challenges and support business goals.

Davis suggests employing basic practices such as regular system backups to alleviate some of the current security and ransomware issues. He also advises segmenting the network, conducting regular network security assessments, employee security training, and controlling password security.

It is essential that he thinks like a “strategic tactician” in his role at Nationwide, implementing information security bottom-up and top-down, Davis says. Data leaders must be honest, direct, and align points with strategic objectives and goals yet be brief while educating others.