Stephan Dona
Director of Information Security & IT Compliance
Lumileds
Stephan Dona is the head of information security & IT compliance at Lumileds. As the leader for information security within the organization and towards their global customer base, he shares his view when asked and also without being asked.
Stephan has over 25 years of experience in IT with 20 of these years being in information security. He enjoys enabling businesses to get the most out of technology in the best possible way while experiencing a secure and comfortable journey. He’s genuinely positive and therefore focuses on promoting the positive and desired behavior, rather than calling out what's wrong or should be better.
Learn more about the Benelux CISO community here.
Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I started early in IT at Friesland Campina and worked in several technical roles before I focused on security. I joined SNS Bank in 2000 as an IBM AIX engineer looking after the core systems that run real-time payment processes.
This is the organization where I grew into the InfoSec area when I became the "liaison" between the high-level policy and the actual implementation. After a couple of years in a consulting role at CSC across the globe, I ended up being responsible for information security at the Animal Health Division within Merck / MSD.
Next, I became the CISO and privacy lead at Unit4 for about four years before I joined Lumileds in 2018.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Some of my guiding leadership principles are to promote the positive and desired behavior, share more of what works well and be respectful, but direct.
What is the greatest challenge CISOs face today, and how are you addressing it?
The biggest challenge is the fast pace of changing technology and changing threats. I address these challenges by staying up to date on technology and surrounding myself with young and smart people.
What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?
The key to success is to not think you are smart(er). It’s important to listen, be humble and think before you speak.
How do you measure success as a leader?
I don't measure my success as a leader. I let others do that.
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