Into the Cloud – Dragos

May 2, 2023

Security Buyer gets to know Omar Al Barghouthi, Regional Director, Middle East, at Dragos in our latest Into the Cloud interview

What does ‘security’ mean to you?

Cybersecurity is an endurance sport where there is no end or a place where you can say “I did enough to stay ahead of the adversaries”.

What made you want to work in the industry?

Since I was a kid, I was passionate about helping others and making a difference in my community. I believe being in the cybersecurity field affords me the opportunity to help our clients, partners, and community combat adversaries and safeguard civilisation.

If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?

Stay humble and focused.

Describe a funny thing that happened to you recently?

I have a 2-year-old girl and she has recently started telling me what to do and what not do and I dare not say ‘No’ to her!

What three traits define you?

Patience, Adventurous, Positive

What’s the most important trend you see today?

According to findings from the Dragos 2022 Year In Review report, in 2022, breakthrough evolution in the development of malware targeting industrial control systems (ICS), specifically PIPEDREAM; scaled ransomware attacks against manufacturing.

If you didn’t work in the security industry, what would you be doing?

When I finished high school, my ambition was to become a neurosurgeon and I changed my mind a few months before going to medical school. I decided to go with my heart over my head (no pun intended) and given my passion for computers, I joined the engineering school. That all being said, if I had to change my career, not sure I would want to be a neurosurgeon any longer but maybe a dentist!

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your CV?

Oh there are plenty of things not mentioned on my CV I am a certified body work therapist and a Master Scuba Diving instructor. I also have a passion for fine culinary arts, and I love a good meal.

What is one thing you would make compulsory in the office and one thing you would ban?

My recommendations would be at the intersection of my interest in physical health and my passion for food. So I would make eating healthy food the “compulsory” and definitely “ban” sugar and junk food.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

My wish would be to hang up my corporate boots and own and operate a small restaurant by the sea. However, I am equally excited about my career at Dragos, and have two kids that I have to put through college, so it is more likely that I am still at Dragos having broader responsibilities, contributing to the phenomenal growth of the company and most importantly, making tangible contributions to the safety and security of our society.

Read the rest of this exclusive interview in our latest issue here.