By Tom S. Noda
Published in the CWP March 2010 issue

From the very beginning, Ross Sherwin de Claro has always paid attention to training, patience and perseverance — traits that have helped him become an information security officer (ISO) — an enterprise sentinel.

As ISO of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), De Claro says his information security functions are highlighted by his designs and implementations of the appropriate infrastructure and controls for network, systems and applications. Added to this is the kind of leadership he renders to teams of IT security and network professionals that administer and maintain the security of the enterprise’s network infrastructure.

“It has always been my attitude to strive hard in whatever task that I do and that success is always reachable to those who persevere,” De Claro says.

In the last six years of his 17-year IT career, De Claro shares he has turned his focus on security management backed up by his overall know-how on network infrastructure, systems engineering, business governance, research and development, and security operations and management.

De Claro says he always had the drive to advance his IT ability and keeps enhancing his talent by investing on trainings and technology seminars.

“Perseverance is a skill, it is not a gift. We can be successful if we keep on trying. I had my ups and downs in my career then, but I continue to persevere and I never say never to the challenges I encounter,” he says.

De Claro, upon finishing college at the Adamson University in Manila in 1993 with the degree of BS in Computer Engineering, immediately worked as a junior technical support specialist in DBPData Center Incorporated. Three years later, he moved to Open Systems Philippines Inc. (OSPI) and there served as a programmer (1996-1997); technical support specialist (1997-2001); and as database administrator (2001-2002). He then transferred to Pagcor in the same year in 2002 and started as senior technical support specialist for five years and later became the enterprise’s ISO in 2007, a position he still holds until today.

“My career as a programmer, technical support staff and database administrator are the most significant endeavors in my IT career. Without these positions, I would not have reached the IT officer level and I won’t be able to excel in this field I have chosen to develop,” De Claro says.

As a leader, De Claro claims helping others to grow is more helpful than to focus on oneself all the time, saying a good leader should be competent as it is the key to credibility.

“To be competent, one has to work hard and continue to learn because growth helps everyone to lead a successful life.”

De Claro adds an IT boss should be flexible and open-minded to suggestions. “When you’re in IT, adequate trainings are important to keep you updated in your field. I always encourage my staff to be resourceful and not to be content with the existing resources and find ways to outdo past accomplishments. Creativity and openness to innovations and technology are ingredients to this type of professional attitude.”

Possibly Related Posts:

• Henry Aguda Chief Information Officer Globe Telecom
• Philippine BPO industry hails Senate’s passage of cybercrime bill
• Mariels Almeda Winhoffer: First Female President of IBM Philippines
• Jeffrey Uthoff
• ICANN hastening IPv4 to IPv6 transition

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