Welcome to the IT Pro Panel Profile, where we talk to the CIOs, experts and IT leaders that make up the IT Pro Panel, and discover their top tech, pet peeves and IT inspirations.
Editor's note: The following profile was written while Paul Watts was serving as CISO for Domino's UK. He has since become CISO of Kantar.
There's not much that beats a good pizza, and Domino's is one of the biggest names in the game. The secret to its success - aside from delicious food - is that the company has capitalised on technology to make placing your order as quick and easy as possible.
In the UK, digital orders make up over 70% of all pizzas delivered by Domino's, and keeping all of those transactions safe and secure is the responsibility of Paul Watts, Dominos' chief information security officer for the UK and Ireland.
With previous roles managing cyber security for Network Rail, Argos and Homebase parent company Home Retail Group, Watts knows a thing or two about cyber security.
Paul Watts
CISO - Domino’s UK & Ireland
Describe your role in 20 words or fewer.
I'm responsible for ensuring Domino's remains safe and secure whilst enabling it to innovate and grow, delighting our customers.
What was your first computer?
An Acorn Electron, a setup that my brother faithfully recreated for my 40th birthday and remains in use to this day.
What do you like most about working in IT?
Going to work knowing that every day is a school day! Working in IT is a continual voyage of discovery and innovation. What's not to like about that?
If you could magically get rid of one piece of technology forever, what would it be, and why?
I would say the Smartphone. I don't like the way they have impacted how humans interact with each other. As a technologist I'm excited by their capabilities and I love the benefits they bring - but if we knew back then what we know now, I think the 'smartphone' would be an altogether different product.
What future tech innovations are you most excited about?
Artificial Intelligence - that excites and terrifies me at the same time. I'm also excited about augmented reality and the possibilities there. Innovations in transportation technology are also exciting, such as autonomous vehicles and multi-mode transportation.
Who’s your biggest inspiration in the world of tech?
A leftfield answer; Peter Sommer. His book 'The Hacker's Handbook' is one of the reasons I got into security.
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