How have you harnessed technology to improve output or drive efficiencies?

I have quickly implemented various relevant technologies, such as outside counsel tracking, internal KPI assessment, digital stakeholder approval processes, and online compliance training for the Group’s employees worldwide.

I also work directly with our product teams to emphasise the importance of “compliance by design” – an approach that is well-appreciated by our law enforcement and government sector customers. This synergy and deep cooperation between legal, product enhancement and business development are essential because it leads to better products, inform product development by new legal trends and concerns, and keep our legal department constantly abreast of specific customer needs.

How have you attempted to bring the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

My efforts focus on consistent and detailed stakeholder interest and business plan integration as essential ingredients to create a business plan that aligns with NSO Group’s overall vision. I am personally involved with company employees from all facets of NSO group’s business, including R&D, sales, products, finance, HR, strategy, BD and operations. This interaction helped me better understand the multitude of internal and external issues faced by the company and to comprehend employee concerns intimately. All this interaction is founded on my core commitment to transparency. It enables me to implement evolutionary changes in company culture while equipping me with the relevant business and technological knowledge to fulfil my role as the company’s public face for all legal and compliance issues.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

I firmly believe that unique aspirations for innovation will fuel a general counsel’s success in this business. My ultimate goal as general counsel for NSO Group is not just to transform our inner workings but to provide an inspirational guidepost for other players in this business, no matter who or where they are, to follow our example.

Such unique qualities must include a sharp, educated ability to assess risk, no matter where that risk may materialise. Challenges will invariably arise via business, financial, market and regulatory frameworks. The right mixture of intellectual, moral and leadership qualities must be brought to bear at the right time to address them. The results of these risk assessments and responses must enable long-term growth, even if such changes may have short-term costs. A cyber sector general counsel must possess a fundamental grasp of the broad environment in which they operate, specifically the idiosyncrasies of government contracting and the sharp differences between government and commercial contracting.