CyberWire Daily - Encore: Malek Ben Salem: Taking those challenges. [R&D] [Career Notes]

Episode Date: July 13, 2024

Americas Security R&D Lead for Accenture Malek Ben Salem shares how she pivoted from her love of math and background in electrical engineering to a career in cybersecurity R&D. Malek talks about her interest in astrophysics as a young girl, and how her affinity for math and taking on challenges lead her to a degree in electrical engineering. She grew her career using math for data mining and forecasting eventually pursuing a masters and PhD in computer science where she shifted her focus to cybersecurity. Malek now develops and applies new AI techniques to solve security problems at Accenture. We thank Malek for sharing her story with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're listening to the Cyber Wire Network, powered by N2K. of you, I was concerned about my data being sold by data brokers. So I decided to try Delete.me. I have to say, Delete.me is a game changer. Within days of signing up, they started removing my personal information from hundreds of data brokers. I finally have peace of mind knowing my data privacy is protected. Delete.me's team does all the work for you with detailed reports so you know exactly what's been done. Take control of your data and keep your private life Thank you. JoinDeleteMe.com slash N2K and use promo code N2K at checkout. The only way to get 20% off is to go to JoinDeleteMe.com slash N2K and enter code N2K at checkout. That's JoinDeleteMe.com slash N2K, code N2K. My name is Malek Bensalem, and I am the America's Security R&D Lead for Accenture.

As a child, I don't know, I was, I guess, fascinated by astrophysics. I was amazed by the NASA discoveries, right, of new planets and, you know, stars and learning about the black holes. And so that was something I really wanted to pursue. But I think the driver is my love for math. I really wanted to pursue. But I think the driver is my love for math. After high school, I went to an engineering school. I had basically the choice of selecting what type of engineering degree I wanted to do. And I've gone for electrical engineering.

What I heard is that it was, you know, very challenging and difficult. And that was basically why I've chosen it. Again, I think just, you know, solving something that is, that other people find challenging was just basically a motivator for me. I really wanted to take those challenges.

So right after I graduated, I got an offer from IBM. So I worked for their server group at the time, also using math, not related to electrical engineering though, but more using math for data mining and forecasting and segmentation of their customers, whether they were hardware customers or software DB2 customers. And then I worked in their microelectronics division, where my electrical engineering background was helpful. So we worked in the semiconductor fab, which was the first fully automated semiconductor fab in the world. The journey with IBM took about nine years. But in parallel, I decided that I wanted to pursue my graduate degree in computer science this time. And so as I was working for IBM, I started taking classes at Columbia University for my master's degree in computer science.

There, I met a professor who was using data mining and machine learning to study or to solve, you know, intrusion detection problem. So I've worked with him on a research project. And then I continued with him later on when I pursued my PhD research. And that was basically the pivot to cybersecurity. security. I'm developing and applying new AI techniques to solve security problems. We cannot have a digital economy without having trust in that economy. And the trust relies on ensuring that data is secure, that our communications are secure. So working on something that important is very exciting. The fact that I work in R&D at a company like Accenture, which is a very large company, but also where I work on an R&D project from concept all the way to full solution that my colleagues,

my consultant colleagues at Accenture can take to the market to our clients, colleagues at Accenture can take to the market to our clients feels like working for a startup company while working for a large company, while having the, you know, the luxury, if you will, or the safety of working for a large corporation. And I'm doing that over and over. So every few years, basically, I'm bringing some new solution to the market. And that is very exciting. Your business needs AI solutions that are not only ambitious, but also practical and adaptable. Thank you. AI agents connect, prepare, and automate your data workflows, helping you gain insights, receive alerts, and act with ease through guided apps tailored to your role. Data is hard. Domo is easy. Learn more at ai.domo.com. That's ai.domo.com.